Book excerpt: **This is the chapter slice "Major Battles: Gr. 5-8" from the full lesson plan "American Revolutionary War"** Gain insight into the events that gave America its independence to become a new nation. From 1775 to 1783, our resource highlights the details behind a war between the thirteen colonies and Britain. Start with the background information leading up to the war. Understand that Britain established thirteen colonies along the eastern coast of North America. Learn about the Navigation Acts and what they meant to these colonies. Get a sense of the growing tension between American settlers and the British with the Boston Massacre and Boston Tea Party. Find out about George Washington and Thomas Jefferson's roles during this conflict. Learn about Paul Revere's ride and the battles of Lexington and Concord. Sail across the Delaware River with George Washington to meet the British in Trenton. Discover how something as simple as tea led to the Declaration of Independence. Aligned to your State Standards and written to Bloom's Taxonomy, additional crossword, word search, comprehension quiz and answer key are also included.