The American Revolutionary War or American War of Independence (1775–1783) began as a crisis within the British Empire and developed into a war for sovereignty. Thirteen colonies in British North America resisted imperial taxation, tighter parliamentary control, and restrictions on colonial self-government after the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763). What began with protest and resistance escalated into armed conflict at Lexington and Concord (April 1775), followed by the creation of the Continental Army under George Washington (1732–1799; commander-in-chief, 1775–1783) and the formal declaration of independence at Philadelphia on 4 July 1776.

The One Dead Spy animatic is finally out!

N.C. Wyeth, "Paul Revere's Ride", 1922

Such results were common from attempts by Virginia militia and what limited continentals that were in the commonwealth, until reinforced by 18,000 French and American troops under Washington and Rochambeau in the late summer of 1781, resulting in the succesful siege at Yorktown.

Adam Gopnik's Great-Man Theory

From his base in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Washington began shaping what would become the Continental Army. It was a difficult start, but his leadership helped lay the groundwork for the long fight for American independence.