The War of Independence of the United States is the war of the 13 American colonies against Great Britain. The tension grew up from the end of the 1760s when capitalism and the formation of the North American nation came into conflict with the policy of the metropolis. A long struggle took place until the introduction of the Declaration on July 4, 1776. Thus, the United States of America appeared, and Great Britain officially recognized the colonies’ independence. The essay reveals the theme of the main important events about struggle between nations for colonists’ independence and peace over the earth.
After the Seven Years’ War, the British government increased pressure on the colonies, hindering industry and trade further development. The prohibition on the colonization of the lands west of the Allegheny Mountains and taxes and duties were introduced, so the interests of all colonists were infringed. Since about 1767, there have been several uprisings and conflicts in response to such measures, which later turned into a war.
The famous “Boston Tea Party” took place in 1773 – the most essential, provocative protest act of American colonists in response to the actions of the British government. The destruction of tea in Boston Harbor radically aggravated Great Britain and the American colonies (Corbett). The government responded with repressions against Massachusetts: sea trade was banned in Boston, the Massachusetts party was abolished, and its legislative assembly was dissolved.
In 1774, the First Continental Congress of Representatives from 12 colonies, except Georgia, chosen by the legislative assemblies, opened in Philadelphia. Congress developed a petition to the King and an appeal to the English people. American people insisted on repealing the last acts of parliament and demanded justice, thereby threatening to stop trade with England. The response to the petition was the Declaration of martial law in Massachusetts. Great Britain did not intend to make concessions, and already in 1775, the first armed clash between British troops and American separatists took place. During the battles, the British had heavy losses when the first skirmishes were near Concord and Lexington.
Meanwhile, on May 10, a Congress of 13 colonies gathered in Philadelphia. The colonists submitted a petition to King George III of England for protection from the arbitrariness of the colonial administration, and on the other began to mobilize an armed militia, headed by George Washington. The King described the situation in the North American colonies as Rebellion. Washington managed to create a disciplined, efficient army that defeated the British at Bunker Hill near Boston from ordinary colonists.
The morale of American soldiers was raised by a pamphlet “Common Sense” by Thomas Paine, which rejects the monarchy and questions the right of the king to rule America (Corbett). It is a simple and understandable call for the creation of a new republic without a king. It was time to separate from the Empire and declare independence in 1776 for the rights of the oppressed. However, the adoption of the Declaration did not mean the end of the war, and military operations were conducted with varying success. The long battle ended only in April 1782 after a vote in the House of Commons.
In conclusion, the war for independence in the United States remains the main bloody event of the past, which claimed thousands of lives in exchange for reconciliation and freedom. The revolution was a success because their unity and cohesion distinguished the colonists from different strata of society in the struggle against a common enemy. Thanks to patriotism and indifference, citizens gained power over the irrepressible Britons and could repel the “attackers,” protecting their rights and powers.
Reference
Corbett, Scott, et al. U.S. History. 2021. OpenStax. Web.