A Conflict of Principles
The thirteen American colonies and the British Empire fought each other in the American Revolution, which lasted from 1775 to 1783. Taxation, representation, and self-governance were the main points of contention in this struggle, which had its roots in a disagreement of values between the colonists and the British Crown.
The Path to Revolution
When the British government started taxing the colonies more heavily in the 1760s to help pay off the debts from the French and Indian War, the roots of the American Revolution were planted. The colonists fiercely opposed these levies, including the Tea Act and the Stamp Act, claiming that they shouldn’t be taxed without parliamentary representation.
The Boston Tea Party
One of the most famous events leading up to the American Revolution was the Boston Tea Party in 1773. In protest of the Tea Act, a group of colonists disguised as Native Americans boarded British ships and dumped crates of tea into Boston Harbor. This act of defiance was seen as a declaration of independence and further inflamed tensions between the colonies and Britain.
The Declaration of Independence
In 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, a document that formally declared the colonies to be independent states. The Declaration articulated the colonists’ grievances against the British Crown and outlined their belief in the natural rights of all men to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
The War for Independence
Battlegrounds throughout the thirteen colonies saw fighting throughout the protracted and brutal American Revolution. General George Washington’s Continental Army had to contend with a strong British military. The Continental Army won several significant engagements, like Saratoga and Yorktown, despite being outnumbered and outgunned.
The Treaty of Paris
The American Revolution ended in 1783 with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. This treaty recognized the independence of the United States and established the boundaries of the new nation.
The Legacy of the American Revolution
The American Revolution was a pivotal event in world history, inspiring other nations to fight for their independence and self-government. The principles enshrined in the Declaration of Independence, such as liberty, equality, and self-determination, continue to shape American society and the world today.