The American Revolution, or the War of American Independence, led to the birth of the United States of America (USA).
In the history of the world, this was the first political revolution in which people overthrew foreign rule and won the right of self-government.
Background:
Large numbers of Europeans, including Frenchmen, Dutchmen, Spaniards and Englishmen, had migrated to the New World (the Americas) after its discovery. By the eighteenth century, Britain had established 13 colonies along the eastern coast of North America.
i.ytimg.com
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In respect of all local matters, the colonists governed themselves through elected representatives. They even levied local taxes.
They were, however, denied any say in matters concerning their trade with other European countries, economic development, levying of extra taxes and even westward expansion. Britain controlled these matters strictly.
Increase in Taxes in the Colonies:
In Europe, the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763), in which Britain and France were on opposite sides, ended with the Treaty of Paris (1763). The treaty forced France to withdraw from North America and India. Britain sought to recover its war expenses by increasing taxes in its North American colonies.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In 1765, Britain passed the Stamp Act, which increased duties on all legal and commercial transactions. The colonists demanded representation in the British Parliament before any tax could be imposed on them. They coined the slogan “No taxation without representation”. Violent uprisings by the colonists forced Britain to withdraw the Stamp Act.
In 1767, Britain imposed new taxes on consumer goods like tea, paper, glass and paint, which were imported into the colonies. The colonists rose in rebellion, and once again all the taxes were withdrawn, except the one on tea.
In 1773, the colonists refused to unload tea brought by British ships. At Boston, when the governor ordered three ships to be unloaded, a group of colonists disguised as American Indians boarded the ships and threw the crates of tea into the sea. This incident, known as the Boston Tea Party, sparked off the American Revolution.
Declaration of Independence:
In 1774, the representatives of the colonists met, and appealed to the king of England to redress their grievances. However, in April 1775, fighting broke out between the British troops and the colonists. George Washington was appointed the commander of the American forces.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
In August 1775, Britain declared a state of rebellion in America. On 4 July 1776, at a congress (meeting) in Philadelphia, the settlers of the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence written by Thomas Jefferson. The Declaration stated that all men are born equal and cannot be denied the rights to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. It also asserted people’s right to form their own government.
In 1778, France joined the colonists in their struggle against Britain, and later, Spain and the Netherlands followed. Thus, the war became international. In 1781, the British surrendered.
In 1783, Britain signed three separate treaties with the colonists, with France and with Spain. By the Treaty of Paris, Britain recognised the independence of its 13 rebellious colonies, which later formed the USA.
In 1789, the national government of the USA adopted a republican constitution to which the Bill of Rights was added. It assured the citizens of the USA of justice under the law, freedom of speech and religion, and freedom of the press.