Final answer:
The Battles of Lexington and Concord marked the start of the Revolutionary War with Great Britain. It was the occasion of the 'shot heard 'round the world' that led to active military engagement and the subsequent formation of the Continental Army under George Washington's command. The correct option is (C)
Step-by-step explanation:
The correct statement about the Battles of Lexington and Concord is that the battles marked the start of the war with Great Britain. These were the initial skirmishes that led to the Revolutionary War, occurring in April 1775. At Lexington, a shot fired by an unknown person—later termed the "shot heard 'round the world"—initiated the conflict. The colonial militia, later known as the patriots, repelled the British forces and saved the munitions depot from capture. This spontaneous outbreak of violence coalesced the American sentiment towards full mobilization for war, and it was shortly thereafter that the Continental Congress established the Continental Army with George Washington as its commander. What followed was a grueling six-year conflict, which ended in a decisive American victory at Yorktown, where General Cornwallis surrendered, though this was not immediately after the battles of Lexington and Concord as one of the incorrect options suggests.
It’s a common misconception that the French aid came immediately after these initial battles. In reality, the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga was the turning point that convinced France to provide military support to the American cause. Furthermore, the claim regarding General Washington crossing the Potomac to engage in these battles is inaccurate, as his famous crossing of the Delaware occurred later, during the war's pivotal moments.