Advanced Placement US History (AP US History) Practice Exam

How did the American Revolutionary War begin?

1. With the signing of the Declaration of Independence

2. With the Battles of Lexington and Concord

3. With the Boston Tea Party

4. With the Siege of Boston

The correct answer is: With the Battles of Lexington and Concord

The American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord on April 19, 1775. This conflict marked the first military engagements between British troops and colonial militia, signaling the start of armed resistance against British authority. Tensions had been escalating due to various acts imposed by the British government, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, but Lexington and Concord represented the first open confrontation. The phrase "the shot heard 'round the world" refers to this event, underscoring its significance in igniting the war for independence. In contrast, the signing of the Declaration of Independence occurred later, in July 1776, as a formal statement declaring the colonies' intent to separate from British rule, but it did not spark the conflict itself. The Boston Tea Party was a protest against the Tea Act in December 1773 that contributed to rising tensions but preceded the war. Lastly, the Siege of Boston encompassed military actions after the initial battles, as colonial forces besieged British troops in the city, leading to further developments in the war but not its beginning.