The American Revolutionary War that occurred bewteen 1775 and 1783 had a significant impact on Newfoundland fisheries and society.

Much of our knowledge of daily life in outport Newfoundland in the late 18th and early 19th century comes from the pens of visitors. They were typically missionaries, explorers, naturalists, and geologists whose work brought them to outlying communities not often visited by outsiders or even the local government.

The quarrel between Great Britain and its North American colonies had been brewing for some time, but no one expected a revolt to break out in 1775.

It would be misleading to assume that the revolution had no ill-effect on the fisheries.

Many thought the Revolution to be an opportunity to eliminate American competition in the supply trade, even though many residents suffered hardships.

Despite the hardships caused by the American Revolution, or because of them, Newfoundland showed little interest or sympathy for the American cause.

Considerable uncertainty surrounds our understanding of daily life in Newfoundland during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.