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The loss of an empire, 1765 to 83
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Disputes over taxation turned into revolution. With French help, the colonists won independence.
Growing opposition, 1765 to 75
Stamp Act (1765): a tax on printed materials. The Sons of Liberty led protests, and it was repealed in 1766.
Boston Massacre (1770): British soldiers fired on a crowd, killing five.
Boston Tea Party (1773): protesters dumped tea into Boston harbour. Britain responded with the Intolerable Acts (1774), closing the port.
The Continental Congress met in 1774 to coordinate resistance.
Boston Massacre (1770): British soldiers fired on a crowd, killing five.
Boston Tea Party (1773): protesters dumped tea into Boston harbour. Britain responded with the Intolerable Acts (1774), closing the port.
The Continental Congress met in 1774 to coordinate resistance.
The War of Independence
Fighting began in 1775. Thomas Paine's 'Common Sense' (1776) argued for independence.
The Declaration of Independence, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted on 4 July 1776.
The American victory at Saratoga (1777) persuaded France to join the war; Spain followed. George Washington held the army together. At Yorktown (1781) Cornwallis surrendered.
The Peace of Paris (1783), negotiated partly by Franklin, recognised independence.
The Declaration of Independence, mainly written by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted on 4 July 1776.
The American victory at Saratoga (1777) persuaded France to join the war; Spain followed. George Washington held the army together. At Yorktown (1781) Cornwallis surrendered.
The Peace of Paris (1783), negotiated partly by Franklin, recognised independence.
Consequences
Slavery continued in the new nation, especially in the South, though some northern states began to end it.
Indigenous peoples lost British protection, and settlers moved onto their lands.
Loyalists who had supported Britain left; many resettled in Nova Scotia and near Niagara in Canada.
Indigenous peoples lost British protection, and settlers moved onto their lands.
Loyalists who had supported Britain left; many resettled in Nova Scotia and near Niagara in Canada.
Explain the importance of the Battle of Saratoga (1777) for the outcome of the war.
- An entire British army surrendered at Saratoga.
- This convinced France that the Americans could win.
- France joined the war in 1778, bringing its navy and money, which helped win at Yorktown.
Answer: It brought France into the war, which changed the balance.
Stamp Act 1765; Sons of Liberty; Boston Massacre 1770; Tea Party 1773; Intolerable Acts; Continental Congress 1774. Common Sense 1776; Declaration 4 July 1776 (Jefferson). Saratoga 1777, France joins; Yorktown 1781; Peace of Paris 1783. Loyalists to Nova Scotia.
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