The American Revolution began in 1776 when the 13 British colonies in North America declared independence from the British Empire. The colonies, founded between the 16th and 17th centuries, had developed their own government systems and economic activities, but British intervention and taxation policies led to resistance. The Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams and John Hancock, organized against British abuse, and the Boston Massacre in 1770 and the Boston Tea Party in 1773 marked key events in the escalating conflict.
The British government responded with the Intolerable Acts, which further limited the powers of colonial authorities, leading to the First Continental Congress in 1774. The Second Continental Congress in 1775 approved the Declaration of Independence, written by Thomas Jefferson, which formally declared the 13 colonies as the United States of America.
The American Revolutionary War (1775-1783) ensued, with the Continental Army led by George Washington. The war turned in favor of the Americans after the Battle of Saratoga in 1777, and France and Spain allied with the United States. The British Empire eventually signed the Treaty of Paris in 1783, recognizing American independence.
The Philadelphia Convention in 1787 established a presidential federal government with a bicameral legislative system, and George Washington became the first president in 1789. The consequences of American independence included the French Revolution and the emancipation process of Latin America, as the Enlightenment and American example inspired similar movements in France and South America.
Here are the key facts extracted from the text:
1. In 1776, the 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence.
2. The 13 colonies were founded by the British Empire between the 16th and 17th centuries.
3. The colonies were: Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia.
4. The 7 Years' War (also known as the French and Indian War) ended with a British victory, but at a high cost.
5. The British Crown imposed taxes on the colonies to cover the debt from the war.
6. The colonists were not represented in the British Parliament and therefore had no say in the taxes imposed on them.
7. The Sugar Law (1764) and Stamp Law (1765) were passed to collect taxes from the colonies.
8. The Townsend Laws (1767) were passed to collect taxes on imports from the colonies.
9. The Sons of Liberty, led by Samuel Adams and John Hancock, spoke out against British taxes and policies.
10. The Boston Massacre occurred in 1770, in which British soldiers fired on a protesting crowd, killing five Americans.
11. The Boston Tea Party took place in 1773, in which colonists dressed as Mohawk Indians boarded British ships and threw tea into the harbor.
12. The Intolerable Acts (1774) were passed by the British government, limiting the powers of colonial authorities and creating a state of exception.
13. The First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, where representatives of the colonies demanded the right to self-governance.
14. The Second Continental Congress was held in 1775, where the decision was made to form a continental army.
15. George Washington was appointed commander-in-chief of the North American forces in 1775.
16. The Declaration of Independence was written by Thomas Jefferson, with input from John Adams and Benjamin Franklin.
17. The Declaration of Independence was approved by the Second Continental Congress on July 4, 1776.
18. The American Revolutionary War lasted from 1775 to 1783.
19. The British Empire recognized American independence in 1783.
20. The Philadelphia Convention was held in 1787, where the US Constitution was drafted.
21. The US Constitution was ratified by the people in conventions in each state.
22. George Washington was elected the first president of the United States in 1789.
23. The French Revolution was influenced by the American Revolution.
24. The emancipation process of Latin America was influenced by the American and French Revolutions.