History of the American War of Independence

The American Revolution

The Origins of Independence

The first English settlers arrived on the east coast of North America in the early 17th century. By the mid-18th century, they had formed the Thirteen Colonies.

• Northern colonies: The economy was based on agriculture and trade.
• Southern colonies: The main activity was tobacco farming, and the work was performed by enslaved people.

Britain sought raw materials from their American colonies but had no interest in developing industry there. They also held a monopoly on trade, which hindered commerce between the Thirteen Colonies and other regions. The economy became a significant source of conflict, as the colonies viewed the British Crown as an obstacle to their development.

Political Tensions and Taxation

Political tensions also rose. Colonial assemblies held significant powers, such as collecting certain taxes. When Britain imposed new taxes, settlers often refused to pay as a form of protest, arguing they were not represented in the British Parliament. "No taxation without representation" became a popular slogan.

Between 1764 and 1766, King George III attempted to impose new taxes, but the colonies responded by boycotting British products. Later, the British Parliament passed the Tea Act, which granted the English East India Company a monopoly on tea sales in the colonies. This harmed American traders, who responded by attacking British ships in Boston Harbor. This event, known as the Boston Tea Party, preceded the outbreak of the American Revolutionary War in 1775.

The Path to Sovereignty

In 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Virginia Declaration of Rights, which outlined the principles of national sovereignty, the separation of powers, and suffrage. On July 4, 1776, representatives of the Thirteen Colonies met in the Continental Congress of Philadelphia and signed the Declaration of Independence of the United States of America.

The American Revolutionary War

During the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783), the American colonies were supported by France and Spain. Led by General George Washington, the colonies won decisive victories at Saratoga and Yorktown. Britain eventually recognized the United States as an independent nation in the Treaty of Paris (1783).

The United States Constitution

The United States Constitution was signed in 1787. As the first constitution in history, it established national sovereignty and the separation of powers:

• Legislative power: Held by the House of Representatives and the Senate, with members chosen in free elections (though limited to white males).
• Executive power: Held by a president.
• Judicial power: Held by independent judges.

In 1789, George Washington became the first president of the United States.