Show how one thing led to another with these free resources exploring the causes of the American Revolution:
Seven Events that Enraged Colonists: This History.com article lays it out with text and video.
Causes of the American Revolution: Interactive Timeline
Differing Points of View – Visit Project Look Sharp for an elementary teaching kit on the Causes of the American Revolution. For each cause, there’s a downloadable teacher’s guide and student worksheet, plus a list of supplementary resources. The materials include accounts of incidents from different viewpoints — for example, a description of the Boston Massacre from both the colonist and British perspectives. Other lessons include analyzing a Phyllis Wheatley poem, and comparing two 18th century “George” portraits (George Washington and King George III).
Private i History Detectives: These free grade 3 historical investigations from iCivics.org guide kids in exploring several Revolutionary War topics such as causes of the war, the role and influence of Native Americans and women, and why we celebrate the 4th of July.
Role-Play Simulation – Scholastic’s Easy Simulations for the American Revolution provides a guide for conducting a five days of activities.
Black Soldiers in the Revolutionary War: PBS LearningMedia Interactive Image and discussion questions
American vs. British Armies: See Slideshow
A Heroine of the American Revolution
Read about Sybil Ludington, the courageous 16-year old who rode 40 miles on horseback to warn the militia that the British were coming.
More Free American Revolution Readers
The Battle of Bunker Hill
The Battle of Saratoga
Books To Check Out
(As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.)
Spies of the American Revolution: An Interactive Espionage Adventure puts readers at the heart of the Revolutionary War’s shadowy world of espionage. Through a choose-your-own-path format, you step into the shoes of spies—deciding whether to gather intelligence for the Americans, collect secrets for the British, or risk everything as a double agent. Each choice leads to a different outcome, offering multiple perspectives and endings, while teaching about the secret societies, dangerous missions, and tense atmosphere that shaped America’s fight for independence.
One Dead Spy: A Revolutionary War Tale: The life, times, and execution of Nathan Hale, America’s first spy, and the beginning of the American Revolutionary War. This graphic novel is a fast-paced, humorous, and fact-filled look at the war’s beginnings, covering key figures like George Washington and Henry Knox, and major events like the Battle of Bunker Hill.
Lafayette!: A Revolutionary War Tale: Focuses on the adventurous life of the French nobleman Gilbert du Motier, the Marquis de Lafayette, and his vital role in securing American independence. The graphic novel recounts his early life in France, his enduring loyalty to the American cause, his military service, and his involvement in critical battles.
Both of these books are part of Nathan Hale’s Hazardous Tales a series of historical, non-fiction graphic novels, primarily focusing on American history, but also covering world events like World War I and the Korean War.
