The Revolutionary War, fought between 1775 and 1783, created our new country at a very high price in terms of casualties. The total number of American deaths in that war for freedom from the British was about 25,000, 8,000 in combat and the rest from other causes including disease.
The total number of deaths in the Civil War was about 750,000 and WWII was about 405,000. At first glance, it appears that the Revolutionary War was inexpensive in human terms by comparison. However, when one takes the totals as a percentage of the population, the number is staggering; it is second only to the bloody Civil War.
War Deaths % of Population at the time
Civil War 750,00 2.385% (1860)
Rev 25,000 0.899% (1780)
WWII 405,000 0.307% (1940)
I'm grateful to be an American and thankful for those who've come before us to create this great country.
