American Revolutionary War
Background
The American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a conflict that erupted between Great Britain and thirteen of its North American colonies, which had declared themselves the independent United States of America. The war was the culmination of the political American Revolution, whereby the colonists overthrew British rule. In 1775, Revolutionaries seized control of each of the thirteen colonial governments, set up the Second Continental Congress, and formed a Continental Army. The following year, they formally declared their independence as a new nation, the United States of America.
Causes of the War
The roots of the American Revolutionary War are found in the British colonial policies in America in the mid-18th century. The Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of 1767 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 were among the major events that led to increasing conflict. The American colonists resisted, arguing that they were not represented in the distant British parliament, and thus could not be taxed by that body. This became known as the principle of "No taxation without representation".
The War Begins
The first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired on April 19, 1775, in the battles of Lexington and Concord. British troops had been sent to seize military supplies in the town of Concord, Massachusetts. The American militia, known as "Minutemen", resisted and forced the British to retreat to Boston.
Declaration of Independence
On July 4, 1776, the Second Continental Congress, still meeting in Philadelphia, declared the independence of "the United States of America" in the Declaration of Independence. Written primarily by Thomas Jefferson, the Declaration was a formal explanation of why Congress had voted on July 2 to declare independence from Great Britain.
Major Battles and Campaigns
The Revolutionary War was characterized by a series of battles and campaigns across the North American continent. Major engagements include the Battle of Bunker Hill, the Battle of Saratoga, and the Battle of Yorktown. The Battle of Saratoga, in particular, was a turning point in the war, as it was a decisive American victory that convinced France to enter the war on the side of the Americans.
End of the War
The war effectively ended with the surrender of the British at Yorktown on October 19, 1781. The Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, by representatives of King George III of Great Britain and representatives of the United States of America, which officially ended the war.
Impact and Legacy
The American Revolutionary War had profound effects on the world. It led to the recognition of the United States by European powers, and it set a precedent that colonies could overthrow their established governments. The war also had significant effects on the American society, including the abolition of slavery in the northern states and the establishment of the first written constitution that created a strong federal government.