United States Independence
In the 1760s, following the Seven Years' War, a religious conflict resembling a world war, the British took possession of the majority of North America, becoming the dominant power north of the continent. However, this war caused many financial shortages for Great Britain. The English Parliament then decides on a series of laws establishing new taxes targeting the 13 colonies of the new world.
New taxes, new tensions
The inhabitants of the colonies, otherwise known as the settlers, were initially prohibited from continuing their expansion beyond the Appalachian mountain range. The territories to the west being reserved for the Indians. Also, it was decided that a series of forts would be built along this colonization boundary, at the expense of the settlers. This obviously generates some discontent in the 13 colonies, knowing that they have no representatives in Parliament to defend them. They therefore protest to Parliament and King George III, and promote the slogan "no taxation without representation", "no taxation without representation". But the British government takes no interest in the colonies' request. The result is significant, some settlers are radicalized. Indeed, boycott campaigns targeting products imported from England are set up and riots break out. The situation is gradually degenerating.
Progressive demonstrations of tension
On March 5, 1770 in Boston, British soldiers faced with a hostile crowd opened fire, causing several casualties. Then, on December 16, 1773, still in Boston, a group known as "the sons of liberty" approached several merchant ships and threw their cargo overboard. Following this event, the port of Boston is closed until reimbursement of the damage. In 1774, General Thomas Gage, Commander-in-Chief of British Forces in North America and appointed Governor of Massachusetts, and at the end of the same year, the representatives of the 13 colonies met in Philadelphia forming the Continental Congress, whose purpose of organizing opposition to British government policy. There was no question for the moment of claiming independence. Their goal is only to be heard.
From the Revolution... to independence
Finally, on April 19, 1775, the conflict broke out. Fearing an armed insurrection, the British authorities had organized seizures of arms and ammunition. In Massachusetts one of these seizures goes wrong, after initial clashes, General Gage then finds himself besieged in Boston. This is the beginning of the revolution, which proved difficult for the insurgents, also called the patriots. Indeed, they must not only face the regular British army, German mercenaries, but also their own brothers, the loyalists, the colonists who remained faithful to the British king. The 13 colonies, through the Continental Congress, therefore set up an army, the Continental Army, and appointedGeorge Washington as its head. The colonists also received external aid, such as France, providing them in a semi-clandestine manner with the money and material necessary to continue the struggle. But in 1775, the British received reinforcements, including 3 generals. One of them, General William Howe, commands the English troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill. They then take control of the Charlestown peninsula, but also suffer many losses. Thomas Gage is recalled to England and William Howe replaces him as head of operations. As the siege of Boston seemed to be at an impasse, General Clinton was sent south, where he was supposed to be joined by loyalists and British reinforcements. But the operation is a failure, the loyalists never arrive, the latter having been intercepted and defeated by the patriots. However, he receives reinforcements from England but does not manage to take Charleston. In the meantime, Boston had to be abandoned, the city having become untenable, the British evacuated the city and regrouped in Halifax. On the American side, the 13 colonies officially seceded and declared themselves independent. A new nation with an uncertain future has just been born, the United States of America.
British revenge
In July 1776, England launched a new offensive, aiming at New York and New Jersey. Initially victorious, they took the city of New York and repelled the Continental Army commanded by George Washington, beyond the Delaware River. Washington discreetly crosses the river again and counterattacks, forcing the British to change their plan. They then divide their force, General Burgoyne develops a plan to take the Hudson Valley. General Hove, meanwhile, is targeting Philadelphia, seat of the Continental Congress and capital of the insurgents. Hove therefore emerges victorious from the Battle of Brandywine, and manages to take Philadelphia. For Burgoyne, it is a failure. He is defeated and forced to surrender at Saratoga. The Battle of Saratoga then marked a turning point in the conflict. This American victory encouraged Louis XVI to declare war on the United Kingdom. Following the resignation of William Hove, General Clinton is appointed Commander-in-Chief in his place. The arrival of France in the conflict forced the British to evacuate Philadelphia to reinforce New York. Following the capture of Savannah by English General Campbell and the failure of the Franco-American operation to retake the city, Clinton decided to concentrate his forces in the South. Meanwhile, Spain and the United Provinces of the Netherlands have joined the conflict on the American side. In 1780, Clinton conquered Charleston, he took the city and entrusted operations in the South to General Cornwallis, before returning to New York. After some success, Cornwallis experienced several setbacks and ended up being stuck in Yorktown. Besieged by land by George Washington and the French General Rochambeau and by sea by the French Admiral de Grasse, he had no choice but to surrender.
This victory was decisive for the young American nation. The English Parliament then decided to end the war and begin negotiations. It was in Paris that these negotiations took place, on September 3, 1783. The United Kingdom therefore officially signed the Treaty of Paris, officially recognizing the independence of the United States of America, which was very quickly seen as "the 'empire of freedom' according to Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President of the United States.