This free 5th grade social studies worksheet covers the causes of the American Revolution, the Declaration of Independence, and major events leading to independence.
In the mid-1700s, the American colonies were ruled by Britain. The British government passed new taxes on goods like tea, paper, and paint without allowing colonists to vote on them. Colonists protested with the slogan 'No taxation without representation.' Tensions grew until fighting broke out in 1775 at Lexington and Concord. On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, written largely by Thomas Jefferson. It stated that all men are created equal and that the colonies were breaking free from British rule. After years of fighting, the colonies won independence in 1783.
The American Revolution is a cornerstone of 5th grade U.S. history. This worksheet covers the key causes of colonial unrest, the role of the Declaration of Independence, and the significance of the colonies' break from Britain.