The American Revolutionary War, which lasted from 1775 to 1783, was a pivotal moment in world history.
It was a conflict between thirteen American colonies and the British Empire, driven by tensions over issues such as taxation without representation, individual liberty, and independence.
The war ultimately led to the birth of a new nation, the United States of America, and the establishment of enduring democratic principles.
Below are some multiple-choice questions to test your knowledge of this important chapter in history.
American Revolutionary War Questions
1. What year did the American Revolutionary War begin?
- a) 1763
- b) 1775
- c) 1783
- d) 1789
2. Which of the following events marked the beginning of the American Revolutionary War?
- a) Boston Tea Party
- b) Boston Massacre
- c) Lexington and Concord
- d) Treaty of Paris
3. Who was the commander-in-chief of the Continental Army during the Revolutionary War?
- a) Thomas Jefferson
- b) George Washington
- c) Benjamin Franklin
- d) John Adams
4. Which of the following documents declared the American colonies’ independence from Great Britain?
- a) Declaration of Independence
- b) Constitution of the United States
- c) Articles of Confederation
- d) Treaty of Paris
5. Which battle is often considered the turning point of the American Revolutionary War?
- a) Saratoga
- b) Bunker Hill
- c) Trenton
- d) Yorktown
6. What was the name of the American volunteer soldiers who fought with determination during the Revolutionary War?
- a) Minutemen
- b) Redcoats
- c) Tories
- d) Loyalists
7. Which European country provided crucial military and financial support to the American colonies during the war?
- a) Spain
- b) France
- c) Germany
- d) Netherlands
8. Who wrote the influential pamphlet “Common Sense” that argued for American independence from Britain?
- a) Benjamin Franklin
- b) John Adams
- c) Thomas Paine
- d) Thomas Jefferson
9. Which American patriot is known for his famous midnight ride warning of British troop movements?
- a) John Adams
- b) Paul Revere
- c) Benjamin Franklin
- d) Samuel Adams
10. What famous American general famously crossed the Delaware River on Christmas night in 1776?
- a) Thomas Jefferson
- b) Benedict Arnold
- c) George Washington
- d) John Adams
11. Which British general surrendered to American forces at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777?
- a) General Cornwallis
- b) General Burgoyne
- c) General Howe
- d) General Clinton
12. What was the final major battle of the American Revolutionary War?
- a) Battle of Saratoga
- b) Battle of Bunker Hill
- c) Battle of Yorktown
- d) Battle of Trenton
13. What was the primary role of women during the Revolutionary War?
- a) Soldiers on the front lines
- b) Nurses and caretakers
- c) Political leaders
- d) Farmers and laborers
14. Which treaty officially ended the American Revolutionary War and recognized the United States’ independence?
- a) Treaty of Paris
- b) Treaty of London
- c) Treaty of Versailles
- d) Treaty of Ghent
15. What was the name of the British taxation policy that led to widespread protests in the American colonies?
- a) Sugar Act
- b) Stamp Act
- c) Tea Act
- d) Intolerable Acts
16. Who served as the first President of the United States after the Revolutionary War?
- a) Benjamin Franklin
- b) John Adams
- c) George Washington
- d) Thomas Jefferson
17. Which American patriot is famous for saying, “Give me liberty, or give me death!”?
- a) Patrick Henry
- b) Thomas Paine
- c) John Adams
- d) George Washington
18. What was the nickname given to American colonists who remained loyal to the British crown during the Revolutionary War?
- a) Patriots
- b) Rebels
- c) Loyalists
- d) Minutemen
19. Which American city served as the temporary capital of the United States during the Revolutionary War?
- a) Philadelphia
- b) New York City
- c) Boston
- d) Williamsburg
20. Who wrote the famous words of the Declaration of Independence, “We hold these truths to be self-evident”?
- a) Benjamin Franklin
- b) John Adams
- c) Thomas Paine
- d) Thomas Jefferson
21. What event directly led to the passage of the Intolerable Acts by the British Parliament?
- a) Boston Tea Party
- b) Lexington and Concord
- c) Battle of Bunker Hill
- d) Treaty of Paris
22. What was the main cause of death for soldiers during the harsh winter at Valley Forge?
- a) Smallpox
- b) Starvation
- c) Hypothermia
- d) Yellow fever
23. Which American general is known for his traitorous actions during the Revolutionary War?
- a) George Washington
- b) Benedict Arnold
- c) Nathanael Greene
- d) Horatio Gates
24. What role did the Marquis de Lafayette play in the American Revolutionary War?
- a) British general
- b) French diplomat
- c) American spy
- d) French military officer
25. What key American victory in 1781 effectively ended the Revolutionary War?
- a) Battle of Saratoga
- b) Battle of Yorktown
- c) Battle of Bunker Hill
- d) Battle of Trenton