Final answer:
Concord was targeted by the British because it contained a significant stockpile of weapons and gunpowder belonging to the colonial militia, which was crucial for the militia's defense capabilities against British forces.
Step-by-step explanation:
Why Concord Was a Natural Target
Concord was a natural target for the British soldiers during the American Revolutionary War because that is where the colonists stored weapons and powder. General Gage, the British military commander in Massachusetts, had received orders to disarm the rebels and knew of the munitions stored in Concord. On April 19, 1775, he directed his troops to seize these supplies, which precipitated the famous confrontations at Lexington and Concord, events that marked the start of open hostilities between British forces and the American colonists.
Paul Revere, along with other riders like William Dawes, succeeded in warning the local militias of the approaching British forces. Despite his later capture, the alarm allowed the militias time to mobilize and ultimately engage the British troops, who found themselves exposed on their retreat to Boston due to the terrain, suffering significant casualties.
In summary, the main reason Concord was targeted by the British was not due to wealthy residents, loyalists, or the presence of Paul Revere, but rather because it held a significant stockpile of the colonial militia's weapons and gunpowder, a critical strategic asset in the brewing conflict.