Elizabeth Raum - The Revolutionary War: An Interactive History Adventure

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YOU live in the American colonies in the late 1700s. Tensions between America and Great Britain are brewing. As war looms on the horizon, which side will you choose?

In this book, youll explore how the choices people made meant the difference between life and death. The events youll experience happened to real people.

Chapter One sets the scene. Then you choose which path to read. Follow the links at the bottom of each page as you read the stories. The decisions you make will change your outcome. After you finish one path, go back and read the others for new perspectives and more adventures. Use your device's back buttons or page navigation to jump back to your last choice.

YOU CHOOSE the path you take through history.

In 1776, you are living in the American colonies. Like most people in America, you consider yourself British. Some people think of themselves as being from a particular colony, such as Virginia, New York, or Connecticut. You do not feel especially connected to people in the other 12 colonies, though. In fact, like most colonists, you have never traveled more than 30 miles from home.

For the last few years, tensions between the colonies and Britains King George III have been increasing. When the French and Indian War ended in 1763, Britain was deeply in debt. The king expected the colonists to help pay for Britains war expenses.

Colonists first settled in small towns near the Atlantic Ocean.

In 1765, the British government passed the Stamp Act. This law taxed all printed materials, including newspapers, stamps, and playing cards. But Americans objected. They refused to accept laws made by the British Parliament.

Great Britain did not back down. Other taxes followed the Stamp Act. In 1768, troops arrived in Boston, Massachusetts, under the leadership of Major General Thomas Gage. Small fights broke out between the soldiers and the townspeople. On March 5, 1770, British soldiers fired into a crowd, killing five men. leader Samuel Adams called this the Boston Massacre.

On December 16, 1773, colonists dumped British tea in Boston Harbor rather than pay a tax on tea. This was called the Boston Tea Party. In response, Great Britain sent more troops to Massachusetts and closed the port of Boston.

The other colonies defended Massachusetts. The First Continental Congress, held in Philadelphia in 1774, called on Great Britain to respect the colonists rights.

On April 19, 1775, American militiamen and British soldiers clashed at Lexington and Concord, Massachusetts. The Americans won these first battles of the Revolutionary War. Great Britain responded by sending more troops to the colonies.

George Washington (on white horse) took charge of the Continental army in 1775.

British and American troops continued to fight. The British won a major victory at the Battle of Bunker Hill in June 1775.

On July 15, 1775, the Second Continental Congress appointed George Washington commander-in-chief of the Continental army. On July 4, 1776, Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.

People throughout the colonies have divided themselves into two groups. Patriots favor independence from Great Britain. , also called Tories, want to remain under British rule. The time has come to choose sides. What role will you play in the war?

Its October 1776. The war with Britain is underway. In June 1776, the British lost the Battle of Sullivans Island. Two months later, in August, the British won the Battle of Long Island. Now, British war ships are gathering off the coast of New York. More fighting seems likely.

Soldiers, traders, and supplies pass through your hometown of Fredericksburgh, New York, daily. One day, your brother Robert runs into the house. Someones coming, he shouts.

You rush outside as a man on horseback comes into the yard. Ive come from Fishkill with a message, he says.

Patriots formed militias, which were groups of citizens ready to fight as soldiers in an emergency.

Follow me, you say. You lead the way to the .

After the messenger leaves, Father says, The must go to Fishkill and guard the Hudson River.

You help pack food and supplies. Wives often go to war with their husbands, but your mother has a new baby. She cannot travel. You offer to go along. Im 15. I can cook and clean for you.

You may come if you want, Father says. But there is important work here too. Enoch Crosby, the shoemaker, is one of our spies. His information helps us fight the British. He may need help.

You go with Father to Fishkill. The town is headquarters for John Jay and his Committee of Safety. The committee provides leadership in the struggle for independence.

You and Father rent rooms above Mrs. Mary Bloodgoods hat shop. A few days later, Father goes to the town of White Plains. It is about 50 miles south of Fishkill. General Washington fears there will be a British attack there, he says.

While Father is away, you stay with Mrs. Bloodgood. Father returns to Fishkill on November 4. He tells you about the Battle of White Plains. On October 28, we fired some shots at the British. They fired back, Father says. We thought theyd come after us, but they didnt. They marched back to New York City.

Did you meet General Washington? you ask.

Yes. Hes a great leader, Father says. When he speaks, men listen.

Militiamen serve for a few months at a time. By winter, you and Father go home. Its good to be with the family again. But in September 1777, you return with Father to Fishkill. General Washington orders patriots to go north and stop British General John Burgoyne and his troops. Mrs. Bloodgood suggests that Father let you stay with her. The fighting could be heavy, she says.

Most Colonial families lived on farms outside of cities and towns.

Theres plenty to do on the farm and at your fathers gristmill. Weeks and months pass quickly. You receive word that General Washington is in New Jersey. Father remains in Fishkill to guard supplies there.