The American Revolution was a conflict between Great Britain and its thirteen American colonies that eventually led to the creation of the United States. Before the Revolution, the colonies were controlled by Great Britain. Many colonists became upset about British taxes, including the Stamp Act and the Tea Act, because they believed they should have a say in the decisions that affected them. The slogan “No taxation without representation” expressed their frustration. Events such as the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 increased tensions between Britain and the colonies. Fighting began at Lexington and Concord in 1775. In 1776, the colonists declared their independence by signing the Declaration of Independence. The Revolutionary War continued until the American victory and the Treaty of Paris in 1783, when Great Britain recognized American independence. The Revolution had different effects on different groups of people. Patriots supported independence, while Loyalists remained loyal to Britain. Women helped support the war effort, and some enslaved and free Black Americans participated in the conflict or sought greater freedom. Many Indigenous nations faced difficult decisions about which side to support because the war affected their lands and communities. Although the Revolution created a new nation based on ideas of liberty and equality, these rights were not experienced equally by everyone. Students will examine historical sources to understand both the causes and effects of the Revolution and how people's experiences differed.