Back to the video list: North American History

 

During the 18th century the British colonies in North America grew stronger and more independent from Great Britain. This development culminated in the American Revolution. After the American War of Independence the United States of America were born.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 1765 – 1783
  • Location: North America
  • Start: First Congress of the American colonies
  • End: Treaty of Paris: Recognition of the American Independence by Great Britain

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • Great Britain
  • American Colonies / United States of America
  • France
  • Spain
  • Netherlands

 

Background

  • American Colonies:
    • Independent & open-minded mentality
    • Seeking for self-determination
    • No necessity of British protection anymore after the end of the French colonial empire in North America
  • Great Britain:
    • After the French & Indian (1754-1763) France is driven out of North America
    • High public debt as consequence of the French & Indian War / the Seven Years' War
    • Optimising the public income in British America through taxes & trade legislation

 

History

  • 1752: The Liberty Bell with the Biblical inscription “Proclaim LIBERTY throughout all the land unto all the inhabitants thereof.“ is casted & placed in Philadelphia
  • 22 Mar 1765: The British Parliament declares taxes for the first time for the mass of the population of North America by passing the Stamp Act
  • 07 – 25 Oct 1765: The First Congress of the American Colonies declares its loyalty to the British king but condemns the introduction of new taxes - “No taxation without representation“
  • 18 Mar 1966: After continuous protests the Stamp Act is repealed but the British Parliament passes the Declaratory which states that only the British government has the right to enact tax laws
  • 02 Jun 1767: The Townsend Acts mean taxation of several products for the daily use – on 05 Mar 1770 all laws are repealed with the exception of the taxes on tea
  • 05 Mar 1770: British troops shoot 5 protesting Americans in the Boston Massacre
  • 10 May 1773: The Tea Act subsidises the East Indian Company & disadvantages the American traders
  • 16 Dec 1773: Boston Tea Party with the destruction of 3 shipments of tea
  • Jan – Apr 1774: The British Parliament passes the Coercive Acts / Intolerable Acts (Boston Port Act, Massachusetts Government Act, Administration of Justice Act & Quartering Act)
  • 05 Sep – 26 Oct 1774: The First Continental Congress declares the Intolerable Acts unconstitutional & decides to form an independent government & militias
  • 19 Apr 1775: The American War of Independence starts with the Battles of Lexington & Concord
  • Jul 1775: The Second Continental Congress declares the necessity of taking up arms, makes George Washington commander & unsuccessfully sends the Olive Branch Petition to the British king
  • 17 Mar 1776: The 13 colonies are nearly entirely under American control after British troops evacuate Boston
  • 04 Jul 1776: The Second Continental Congress passes the Declaration of Independence
  • 05 Jul 1777: The British take Fort Ticonderoga
  • 26 Sep 1777: The British take Philadelphia
  • 16 Aug – 07 Oct 1777: American victories in the Battles of Saratoga which are regarded as the turning point of the war
  • 06 Feb 1778: A French-American alliance threatens the British naval supremacy
  • Dec 1778 – Aug 1780: Successful British campaign in the south without a decision
  • 05 Sep – 19 Oct 1781: Decisive American-French victory in the Naval Battle of Chesapeake Bay & the Battle of Yorktown
  • 03 Sep 1783: Great Britain recognises the independence of the 13 colonies in the Treaty of Paris

 

Consequences & Impact

  • Foundation of the United States of America (also see: American Constitution)
  • The USA can strive with regards of political, societal & territorial development
  • The American Revolution is a forerunner of revolutions to come, esp. the French Revolution
  • Approx. 50,000 loyalists flee to the British colonies in Canada
  • After an initial shock Great Britain reforms her political & administrative sector & builds the Second Empire focussing on Asia