The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) was intially a rebellion carried out by the Thirteen Colonies of British America against Great Britain, sparked by the issue of taxation without representation. It soon blossomed into a War of Independence, resulting in the birth of the United States of America. The outcome of the war was largely influenced by the generals who conducted it.
This collection looks at the lives and times of 15 military leaders of the American Revolution, including figures from the American, French, and British armies. It is by no means a comprehensive list, but contains many of the most significant figures of the conflict, detailing their campaigns and battles, victories and defeats, rises and downfalls. Of these 15 officers and generals, some perservered through the sheer forcefulness of their personalities, overcoming all obstacles to achieve victory and acclaim. Others had their reputations and careers destroyed by their roles in the war, and spent the rest of their lives trying to shift the blame to others. Some of these men ended up as presidents or great statesmen, while others ended up destitute and forgotten. All of them played significant roles in the birth of the United States, and any student of the American Revolution should become acquainted with them in order to have a better understanding of the topic.
