American War of Independence

Around the 16th century, many Europeans had settled in America because of religious persecution in England. Some of them were also attracted by economic opportunities. They had formed 13 colonies which had local assemblies to settle their problems. These colonies were suffering due to the British economic policy of mercantilism through which they tried to regulate colonial commerce in the British interest.

The colonies were not permitted to set up industries as it would result in competition with the British industries like iron and textile. They had to export sugar, tobacco and cotton only to England, at prices determined by the mother country England. This provoked opposition from the British American colonies.

By the 18th century, the wars with France and in India were proving very expensive for Britain. She needed money to fight these wars, and this was done by collecting taxes from the American colonies. In 1765, the British Parliament passed the Stamp Act on all business transactions like official documents, deeds, mortgages, newspapers and pamphlets. The revenue was used to pay the cost of maintaining 10,000 British troops in America.

The Act was opposed by the colonists. Riots broke out in colonial port cities. The colonial assemblies passed resolutions against the Stamp Act. The British Parliament had to repeal the Stamp Act in 1766. However, the Parliament continued the tax on tea.

On 16th December, 1773 some Americans disguised as Native Indians descended upon the three ships of the East India Company and dumped the tea into the sea. This incident is known as the Boston Tea Party. The Parliament closed the Port of Boston but the trigger was set for the American War of Independence.

The representatives of the 13 colonies called the meeting of the first Continental Congress at Philadelphia in 1774 and appealed to the King of England not to impose taxes without their consent. The King regarded this as an act of rebellion and declared war. This led to fights and finally to the "Declaration of Independence" on 4 July, 1776 at a Congress at Philadelphia which proclaimed their independence from Great Britain and the formation of a cooperative union.

It inspired the whole world with its emphasis on equality, right to life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. The Bill of Rights granted many freedoms such as freedom of speech, press, religion and justice under law.

The American Revolution was a struggle by which the thirteen American colonies won independence from Britain and gave birth to the nation that is now called the United States of America (USA).