In 1776, the 13 colonies in North America gained independence from Britain, and the United States of America, the world's first modern republic, was born. The colonies' independence presented a new vision of a nation.
Basic Knowledge
There were 13 British colonies in North America. Britain, facing financial difficulties after the Seven Years' War(1756-63, the French and Indian War), increased taxation through the Stamp Act(1765) and Tea Act(1773). The colonies protested, "No taxation without representation," and in 1773 the Boston Tea Party took place(the dumping of East India Company tea into the sea). In April 1775, the American Revolutionary War began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord. On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence, drafted by Thomas Jefferson, was adopted. Under Washington as commander in chief, and with support from France and Spain, the colonies won the Battle of Yorktown in 1781, and independence was recognized by the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
1763 End of the Seven Years' War(Treaty of Paris)
1765 Stamp Act
1773 Boston Tea Party
1775 Battles of Lexington and Concord→war begins
July 4, 1776 Declaration of Independence(drafted by Jefferson)
1781 Battle of Yorktown(British army surrenders)
1783 Treaty of Paris(independence recognized)
1787 United States Constitution enacted
1789 Washington becomes first president
In Depth (Background and Impact)
The Declaration of Independence(1776) was strongly influenced by John Locke's social contract theory. It stated that "all men are created equal" and have the rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. It was the world's first declaration of human rights. The United States Constitution, enacted in 1787, was the world's first written constitution and adopted separation of powers(legislative, executive, and judicial), federalism, and a presidential system. It reflected the ideas of Montesquieu in The Spirit of the Laws(1748). In 1789, Washington became the first president. American independence had a major impact worldwide, inspiring the French Revolution(1789) and Latin American independence movements in the first half of the 19th century. However, slavery remained, leading later to the American Civil War(1861-65).
- "No taxation without representation" = colonial slogan
- Boston Tea Party = 1773, trigger of the Revolutionary War
- Declaration of Independence = July 4, 1776, drafted by Jefferson
- Commander in chief of the Revolutionary Army = Washington(later first president)
- Treaty of Paris = 1783, Britain recognized independence
- United States Constitution = 1787, world's first written constitution, separation of powers
- Declaration drafted by Jefferson; Constitution led by Hamilton and Madison
Points to Note (Easy to Confuse)
① Distinguish the 1776 Declaration of Independence(founding year), the 1787 United States Constitution, and Washington's inauguration in 1789. ② There were several Treaties of Paris: 1763(end of the Seven Years' War), 1783(recognition of American independence), and 1898(end of the Spanish-American War); distinguish them by year. ③ The Declaration of Independence(1776), United States Constitution(1787), and Bill of Rights(Amendments 1-10 to the U.S. Constitution, 1791) are different documents. ④ France(La Fayette) and Spain supported the American side in the Revolutionary War. Ironically, this contributed to France's financial collapse and the French Revolution.
Practice
- Give the date on which the American Declaration of Independence was adopted and its drafter.
- Who served as commander in chief in the Revolutionary War and later became the first president?
- What is the name of the world's first written constitution, enacted in 1787?