The American Revolutionary War

Overview

• Initiated by 13 North American colonies against Great Britain.
• Opposition to British direct taxation and lack of colonial representation.
• Started on April 19, 1775, in Lexington, Massachusetts.
• Initially a conflict between Britain and its colonies; later became international with French involvement.

Triggering Factors

• Growing tensions and conflicts between the British crown and its colonies.
• Sugar Act (1764): Ended smuggling trade in sugar and molasses.
• Stamp Act (1765): Direct taxation on all colonial commercial and legal papers, newspapers, etc.
• Townsend Acts (1767): Series of four acts exerting authority over American colonies.
• Tea Act (1773): Introduced to save the East India Company.
• Colonial rallying cry: “No taxation without representation.”
• Key events:
  • Boston Massacre
  • Burning of the Gaspee
  • Boston Tea Party (1773): Provoked British crackdown.
• First Continental Congress (1774): Colonial leaders met to oppose British rule.

Outbreak of War

• April 18, 1775: British troops marched to Concord, Massachusetts.
• April 19, 1775: Battles of Lexington and Concord.
• Formation of Continental Army in June 1775, commanded by George Washington.
• Initial struggles and small victories for Americans.
• Key battles:
  • Battle of Bunker Hill (June 1775): Heavy British casualties, boosted American confidence.
  • Americans struggled initially but captured British artillery at Fort Ticonderoga (late winter).
  • British retreated to Canada in March 1776.

Declaration of Independence

• July 4, 1776: Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence (Thomas Jefferson).
• British launched a major invasion of New York.
• Washington's troops faced setbacks but had small victories in Trenton and Princeton.

Turning Point: Battle of Saratoga

• British strategy to separate New England from other colonies failed.
• Battle of Saratoga: American victory forced British surrender on October 17, 1777.
• France openly allied with America following Saratoga.

Stalemate in the North, Battle in the South

• Treaties of Alliance with France (February 6, 1778).
• Washington's forces trained and disciplined at Valley Forge.
• Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778): Ended in a draw.
• British captured Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina.
• Key victories for Americans:
  • Defeated British at King's Mountain (October 7, 1780).
  • Victory at Cowpens, South Carolina (January 17, 1781).

End of the War

• Battle of Yorktown (1781): Washington and French forces defeated Cornwallis.
• Cornwallis surrendered on October 19, 1781.
• British troops remained until late 1782.
• War officially ended with the Treaty of Paris (September 3, 1783).

Significance

• Established the United States of America.
• First country to establish democracy, driving out hereditary monarchy.
• Opened a new era in both the New World and the Old World.