Conflict episode

American Revolutionary War, 1775-1783

Fighting between American and British forces from 1775 to 1783 caused a disputed toll of casualties, including roughly 6,800 American combat deaths, about 17,000 further American deaths from disease, and 43,633 British military deaths.

What happened

Fighting between American and British forces, which had begun in April 1775, continued through the war for independence until 1783. Published casualty figures vary: one tally cites roughly 6,800 American combat deaths and about 17,000 further American deaths from disease (totalling roughly 25,000 US military deaths), alongside 43,633 British military deaths, 7,774 German auxiliary deaths, and an estimated 25,000 civilian deaths; some sources cite American deaths as high as 70,000, likely reflecting overlapping counts. No single figure is treated as authoritative.[1]

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

  1. 1.

    Claim: Fighting between American and British forces began in April 1775 and continued through the war for independence until 1783. Published casualty figures vary: one tally cites roughly 6,800 American combat deaths and about 17,000 further American deaths from disease (totalling roughly 25,000 US military deaths), alongside 43,633 British military deaths, 7,774 German auxiliary deaths, and an estimated 25,000 civilian deaths; some sources cite American deaths as high as 70,000, likely reflecting overlapping counts. No single figure is treated as authoritative.

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