History week 5.

Origins and Causes

1. Timeframe: 1775–1783
2. The war stemmed from growing tensions between Great Britain and its 13 North American colonies, largely over issues like taxation without representation, trade restrictions, and British military presence.
3. The colonies had long enjoyed a degree of autonomy, but British attempts to tighten control after the French and Indian War sparked widespread resistance.

📜 Declaration and Early Battles

1. In 1775, armed conflict began with the Battles of Lexington and Concord.
2. By July 4, 1776, the colonies formally declared independence through the Declaration of Independence, authored primarily by Thomas Jefferson.

⚔️ Major Events and Turning Points

• Battle of Saratoga (1777): A pivotal American victory that convinced France to join the war on the side of the colonies.
• Valley Forge (1777–78): A brutal winter that tested the resilience of George Washington’s Continental Army.
• Battle of Yorktown (1781): With French military support, American forces trapped British General Cornwallis, leading to his surrender and effectively ending major combat.

🕊️ Aftermath and Legacy

The victory marked the birth of a new republic and inspired democratic movements worldwide.

The war officially ended with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, where Britain recognized the United States of America as an independent nation.