American War of Independence
Also American Revolutionary War.
Time Frame
1775-1783
Background
In order to provide safety for the settlers living in the American colonies, the British Empire shouldered tremendous costs. Therefore, the British Parliament decided that the colonies should get involved by paying at least one third of the total amount by the means of a sugar tax (1764) and a stamp tax (a tax on legal documents and newspapers) (1765). However, these taxation laws were not well received by the colonists, who felt unfairly treated. According to their point of view, taxation was an illegal act as the colonies were not directly represented in British Parliament. Thus, the famous slogan "No taxation without representation" was coined. Assuming that the colonists might accept "external" taxes instead of "internal" ones, the Townshend Acts (1767) imposed import duty on tea and several other goods. Colonists however, as for example Samuel Adams, criticized these laws harshly and articulated their protest in several boycotts.
Boston Tea Party (1773)
One of these boycotts meant that three ships of the East India Company loaded with tea were denied to discharge. On 16 December 1773, at nighttime, several colonists disguised as Native Americans entered the ships and threw the complete load of 342 boxes of tea overboard. Consequently, the British government and Parliament decided to close Boston's harbor and demanded compensation for the East India Company.
The War
In spite of its duration of eight years, the American War of Independence does not comprise any outstanding events as such. Due to their naval superiority, the British Empire was able to take over and secure much of the coastal area. Conversely, they didn't succeed in the heartland because of their rather small land army. Thus, Britain had to accept its defeat in the end. The war ended with the Treaty of Paris (1783) which recognized the former British colonies as a sovereign country - the United States of America.
Sources
- Dippel, Horst. Geschichte der USA. München: C.H. Beck, 2005.
- Wills, Gary. Inventing America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 2002.