Students will enjoy reading these “Ten Interesting Facts about the Revolutionary War.” Be sure to head to the bottom of the post for links to a printable version.
Also, check out the Revolutionary War foldable organizer link as well.
Grab your free materials here.
Get a printable version of these interesting facts by clicking here.
Get this free foldable organizer here.
Ten Interesting Facts
#1 ~ Population
The population of the British Colonies in America in 1775 was approximately 2,400,000. This was a small number when compared to the population of London at that time which was almost 1 million.
Approximately 20% of American Colonists remained loyal to Britain during the Revolutionary War. About 100,000 Loyalists fled to Canada, England, and the Bahamas.
George Washington had only 15,000 men under his command at any one time.
#2 ~ Boston Tea Party
On December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty dressed as Mohawk Indians and tossed 342 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor as a protest against the Tea Act.
On March 7, 1774, a second protest occurred. This time only 16 chests were sent into the sea.
These protests cost Britain the modern-day equivalent of $3 million.
#3 ~ Borrowing Money
Britain had to borrow thousands of pounds to fund the cost of going to war.
#4 ~ Tar and Feathering
Throughout New England, tar and feathering became a popular punishment. This was extremely painful as the tar had to be heated to 140º to be thin enough to pour over a person. The Daughters of Liberty decided a less painful method should be used. They used molasses and flowers instead.
#5 ~ Invisible Ink
Both the British and the Colonists used invisible ink to write secret messages. The messages were written with anything acidic: lime or lemon juice, milk, or vinegar. The acid would cause the paper to break down. When heat was applied to the secret message, the weakened fibers caused by putting acid on the paper would turn brown faster than the rest of the page causing the message to be visible.
#6 ~ Spying
The most famous spy was Nathan Hale who was hanged by the British on September 22, 1776 because of the incriminating papers he was carrying. His last words were, “I only regret that I have but one life to lose for my country.”
George Washington was an excellent spymaster. The first large sum entered in his account book during the Revolution was $333.33 to pay for a spy to go into Boston to learn of the British army’s plans.
The British had more spies than the Colonists only because they had more funds to pay them.
The most valuable information Washington discovered from his spies was the British army with 10,000 men were heading to White March to attack the Continental Army. Washington prepared for the attack, and the British Army was unable to engage in a major battle due to this.
#7 ~ Benedict Arnold
Benedict Arnold was an excellent general in the American army. He led the Colonists to victory at the Battle of Saratoga. After this battle, the French became involved in the war. Arnold became a “turncoat” because he was opposed to the French involvement.
#8 ~ Small Pox
George Washington had all his forces vaccinated for smallpox. After this, the death rate by this disease decreased from 17% to 1%.
#9 ~ Causalities
#10 ~ The End of the War
Cornwallis surrendered to the Americans at Yorktown in 1781; however, the fighting continued for two more years until the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783.
Information Sources
- Face Monster
- Revolutionary War for Kids
- Shmoop
- Viral Nova
- Wikipedia
Grab your free materials here.
#1 ~~ Get a printable version of these interesting facts by clicking here.
#2 ~~ Get this free foldable organizer here.
Looking for additional information?
2 comments
I like the helpful info you provide in your articles.
I’ll bookmark your weblog and check again here frequently.
I’m quite sure I’ll learn plenty of new stuff right here!
Best of luck for the next!
Great article.