Research Paper Ideas for the American Revolution

The American Revolution is a broad topic for a research paper. However, by choosing one element of the war on which to focus, you can write a paper that clearly expresses your ideas. Choose from the acts passed by the British Parliament, organizations fomed by colonial Americans, major events leading to war or major battles of the Revolution.
  1. Acts of the British Parliament

    • The Stamp Act, the Sugar Act, the Townshend Acts, the Tea Act and the Coercive Acts were all passed by the British Parliament in efforts, first, to pay of debts from the French and Indian War and then to keep the rebellious colonists underfoot. Write a paper that studies each of the acts and how these acts affected the colonists and eventually led to the outbreak of the Revolution. If your paper is more extensive, you might try showing how these acts led to specific events like the Boston Tea Party.

    Rebellion Organizations

    • A number of rebellious organizations were formed in the colonies before the outbreak of the war, including militias, the Sons of Liberty, the Committees of Correspondence and, of course, the original committee that wrote and signed the Declaration of Independence. In your paper, discuss how these groups were formed in response to English taxation. Talk about each group and what were their main objectives. Discuss whether the groups were all ultimately successful.

    Major Events

    • Several major events led to the outbreak of the war. The Boston Massacre of 1770 was a major starting point for tensions between England and the colonies. Discuss what might have caused the Boston Massacre and how this event led to other rebellious events such as the Boston Tea Party. Explore how Britain and the colonists responded to this event. Discuss the Boston Tea Party and why the colonists in Boston decided to take such drastic measures to make a point.

    Major Battles

    • Several large and small battles are scattered through the Revolution, and each had a bearing on the ultimate success of the war. Focus on some of the more important battles of the Revolution, such as the battles of Lexington and Concord and the Battle of Bunker Hill. Lexington and Concord began when Thomas Gage of Boston decided to try to muffle the rebellion. Discuss why Thomas Gage would do this and what the ultimate outcome was. Talk about the Battle of Bunker Hill and why the British were ultimately victorious in this battle but eventually lost the war.

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