The American Revolution gave birth to a new world republic and a philosophy based on freedom, liberty, and equality. The philosophical concepts articulated by the revolutionary leaders have become a model of positive change for people around the world. This concise reference guide includes an overview essay that traces the course of the Revolution and five essays on various aspects of the conflict. Also included are biographical sketches of 19 important historical figures and a selection of primary documents with introductions by the author. A timeline and annotated bibliography compliment the text, making this a useful starting point for student and general-reader research, and a fresh survey of the events that brought about the birth of the American republic. The essays focus on the events and conditions that led the American colonies to revolt, the war itself, life on the home front, revolutionary diplomacy and a concluding, interpretive essay on the lasting impact of the American Revolution. The biographical sketches include a wide array of important actors on the stage, including Abigail Adams, John Adams, George III, George Washington and Mercy Otis Warren among others. Primary documents include excerpts from Thomas Paine's "Common Sense", "The Proclamation of Lord Dunmore offering Freedom to Slaves Belonging to the Rebels in Virginia" of 1775, The Articles of Federation, and the Treaty of Paris, among others.