Online Resources for the History, Battles and Documents of the American Revolution



Purpose: This web guide was designed to help those interested in the founding of our country find online information related to the history, battles and primary documents of the American Revolution. In pursuit of this goal, I have included links to interesting articles related to the history of the Revolution, links to information related to the war itself, and links to electronic versions of some of the most important documents in American history. Please note that I have focused mainly on the battles and documents, since general historical information is easily found by simply entering a search in any search engine.


General Historical Sources

  • The American Revolution (1763-1783): This Internet guide, available on the Library of Congress Learning Page, provides the student of the American Revolution with numerous links to a variety of aspects of the Revolutionary period. The guide includes links to timelines, primary documents (including the papers of George Washington) and articles examining specific topics such as "Africans in America."

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  • BAR Reference Links: This site is published by the Brigade of the American Revolution, an organization dedicated the reenactment of Revolutionary battles. The site contains excellent links to various to topics such as Revolutionary War uniforms, living history sites and primary documents written during the period.

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  • Intelligence in the War of Independence: This site is actually the web version of a CIA publication by the same name. The publication offers a plethora of interesting information about intelligence operations and techniques during the American Revolution along with an analysis of the roles played by some key personalities (ie., George Washington, Paul Revere, etc.) in the birth of U.S. intelligence operations. A real treat for history buffs!

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  • The Founding Fathers of American Intelligence: This interesting and indepth essay by P.K. Rose explores the key roles played by George Washington, John Jay and Benjamin Franklin in the development of American intelligence operations. A wonderful secondary source for history students!

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  • American Revolution at the Government Bookstore: For those interested in purchasing printed materials on the subject, the Government Bookstore's American Revolution subject bibliography serves as an excellent starting point. Reasonably priced and available for secure order online, these titles cover a large variety of topics related to America's Revolutionary period.

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    The Military in the Revolution

    Articles and General Information
  • War of American Independence: This site, under the auspices of the U.S. Army, provides a great deal of information on the Continental Army with sections dedicated to the Battles of Camden, Kings Mountain and Cowpens--important battles fought in South Carolina. The site also offers bibliographies of the American Revolution.

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  • Prints and Posters Series: "Soldiers of the American Revolution": This site, also under the auspices of the U.S. Army, provides images of battle scenes. Within each of these scenes, the student of history may examine the uniforms and weapons used during the Revolutionary War. These prints are also available for ordering online.

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  • Mud & Guts: A Look at the Common Soldier of the American Revolution: This site is actually an article written by Bill Mauldin and published on the Web by the Federal Consumer Information Center. The article provides an interesting, indepth look at the lives of Revolutionary soldiers on and off the battlefield.

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  • American Revolution: This site outlines the duties of noncommissioned officers during the Revolutionary era which were standardized by Friedrich von Steuben in his 1779 work, Regulations for the Order and Discipline of the Troops of the United States. These regulations remained the standard for nearly 30 years.

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  • Wars and Conflicts of the U.S. Navy: This site offers a treasure trove of information related to the U.S. Navy during America's Revolutionary period. The site provides an account of the birth of the Continental Navy and links to Congressional documents related to its establishment. Biographical synopses of the famed John Paul Jones and other Continental Naval officers are also provided along with accounts of the naval vessels of the time period. In addition, the site provides two excellent bibliographies, a summary of the rules for regulation of the Continental Navy and a timeline of battles. A wonderful find!

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    Bibliographies
  • African-Americans in Military History: American Revolution and Colonial Era: This excellent compilation of sources provides full references to both primary and secondary sources related to African American involvement in the Revolutionary War. Articles, books and government publications are listed.

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  • The American Revolution: Military History: This site offers a lengthy list (14 pages) of books, articles and documents related to America's Revolutionary era. Great for the serious researcher of the American Revolution!

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  • Historical Resources Branch, U.S. Army Center of Military History: The Continental Army Bibliography, Morale and Discipline: This thorough bibliography provides a list of sources dealing with a variety of subjects. Topics include desertion, medals of honor, discharges, women camp followers and military justice. An interesting, indepth compilation of sources!

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    Places to Visit
  • NPS Revolutionary War Website: This site, under the auspices of the National Park Service, provides a bounty of wonderful information. The site provides links to all historic parks, many Revolutionary battlefields, under the control of the NPS. However, the site also provides a timeline and links to other sites related to the Revolutionary era. Lots of fun to browse through!

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  • Recreation.Gov: This site also provides links to historic parks from the Revolutionary period. However, it also allows the searcher to designate activities of interest--such as "cultural or historic sites," "educational programs," "biking," etc.--in order to search for the perfect destination!

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    Links to Primary Documents on the Web

  • Internet Modern History Sourcebook: American Independence: This scholarly site offers links to transcripts of a large number of primary documents written during America's Revolutionary period. Along with the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, the researcher may access the full text of Samuel Adams' "The Rights of the Colonists," Patrick Henry's "Give Me Liberty or Give Me Death," Thomas Paine's "Common Sense" and the Paris Peace Treaty of 1783. An excellent site for the serious researcher!

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  • History: A Multitude of Amendments, Alterations and Additions: This site, under the auspices of the National Park Service, provides full text transcripts of the Declaration of Independence, the Articles of Confederation and the Constitution of the U.S. In addition, an essay explores the cultural impact of these documents in the nineteenth century.

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  • Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention, 1774-1789: This site, a segment of the Library of Congress' Memory Project, provides access to a total of 274 Congressional documents written during the Revolutionary era. In addition, the site offers access to digital images of early printed versions of the Constitution and the Declaration. Added to these resources are a two timelines and a bibliography.

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  • The Charters of Freedom: This site, provided by the National Archives and Records Administration, provides access to digital versions of the original Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights. Each document is accompanied by a brief history, articles related to the topic and links to other related documents. Lots of fun and a great resource!

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  • Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents: This website offers access to digital versions of primary documents dating from America's Revolutionary period. In addition, the site provides a timeline for June, 1776 through January, 1777, and an essay on the drafting of the most important documents in American history.

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  • The George Washington Papers at the Library of Congress, Time Line: The American Revolution: This site offers transcripts of the writings of the Father of Our Country. From correspondence to influential, official documents, it's all here!

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    Created by Shannon M. Wardlow
    October 2000
    Email:shannonwardlow@aol.com