What was the American Revolution?

The term “American Revolution” is generally used to refer
to the rebellion and war that ended with the 13 British colonies in North America
becoming an independent country, the United States of America.  The part of the American
Revolution that was an actual war is said to have started with the Battles of Lexington
and Concord in April of 1775 and to have ended with the Battle of Yorktown, which lasted
for a few months and ended in October of 1781.  The part of the rebellion that did not
include military action is said to have begun after the end of the French and Indian
War, which ended in 1763.  This part lasted up through the beginning of the military
phase of the rebellion.