- Declaration of the Causes & Necessity of Taking Up Arms (1775)
The first justification for the rapidly approaching American Revolution, authored by John Dickinson and Thomas Jefferson in July 1775, almost exactly a year before the Declaration of 1776. Dickinson opposed going any further and refused to sign the Declaration of Independence.
- The Virginia Declaration of Rights (June 1776)
George Mason's declaration of independence for Virginia, adopted almost a month prior to the approval of the Declaration of Independence by Congress.
- Resolution for Independence (July 2, 1776)
Richard Henry Lee's brief proposal for independence, adopted unanimously on July 2 after the language of the Declaration of Independence was finally settled.
- The Declaration of Independence (July 4, 1776)
The National Archives provides the text, images, and background information about America's most famous single document.
- Declaring Independence: Drafting the Documents
A Library of Congress exhibit providing original copies of the Declaration of Independence, related documents and letters, and a chronology of events surrounding the Declaration's creation and publication.
- Account of a Declaration
Excerpts from Thomas Jefferson's autobiography, plus brief biographies of prominent members of the first two Congresses, many of whom signed the Declaration of Independence. Some portraits are provided as well. There are also an assortment of Revolutionary era documents.
- Constitution of Pennsylvania - September 28, 1776
This state constitution and the ones below for Maryland and New York are featured in your text. These sites will help you understand the differences and similarities that emerged among the new state constitutions as the Revolutionary War got underway.
- Constitution of Maryland - November 11, 1776
- Constitution of New York - April 20, 1777
- To Form a More Perfect Union: Continental Congress & the Constitutional Convention
A look at the work of the Confederation Congress and the body that replaced it with the current U.S. Constitution. This is a Library of Congress special on-line exhibit.
- Documents from the Continental Congress and the Constitutional Convention
This site contains numerous documents related to national government in the early years of the United States.
- Maps of Revolutionary America
Maps of the states and theaters of war made during 1776 - 1783. All items housed in the University of Georgia Library's rare map collection.
- Slavery & the American Revolution
Go to Chapter 4 of Norman Coombs' book, "The Black Experience in America" (1971). Coombs provides a strong interpretive perspective on the subject.
- Selected Documents by and about General George Washington
The editors of the Papers of George Washington have selected several key documents from the General's wartime service. Click on each to view the text. Footnotes lead to a separate list of annotations. Click the "Back" button on your browser to return to the document.You can also view a photo of the actual document by choosing the "facsimile" option at the bottom of a page.
- A Valley Forge diary, 1777
The observations of Albigence Waldo, a surgeon who provides many interesting details about daily life at Valley Forge, as well as the worries and concerns common among most of the men in the Continental Army who endured the harsh winter there.
- Oneida Tribe and the Saratoga Campaign of 1777
An interesting multi-page illustrated essay describing the Saratoga Campaign and other aspects of the American Revolution from an Indian perspective. Part of the official Oneida Nation website.
- Articles of Confederation (1777)
Full text of the first constitution of the United States. Click on the forward and backward pointers at the bottom of the page on either side of the "Articles of Confederation Milestones" text to move through the text.
- Thomas Paine's "The American Crisis" (1780)
Full text of Paine's second great work, written at one of the war's lowest points. It begins with the imortal line "These are the times that try men's souls" and coined the term "sunshine patriots."
- Yorktown 1783
A map showing British and Franco-American positions at the beginning of the decisive siege. Click on the map to get a closeup view!
- Peace of Paris (1783)
View the treaty that ended the war, and then read the full text.
- Flags of the Revolution
View the many different flags flown by state militias and the Continental Army during the war.
- More Flags of the Revolution
Additional images. Click on the thumbnails to get a good look at each flag. There are several different galleries to choose from, including both Federal and state flags.
- Washington & the Newburgh Conspiracy of 1783
Perhaps the most serious chance of a military coup in American history was headed off by the retiring General-in-Chief. At times like this, great individuals can have a decisive impact on the future.
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