H6.2 Independence

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6.2

Independence 

The United States

1773-1914

Thirteen colonies become one country

English settlers

- It was not until the 17th century that the English established colonies in eastern North America: John Smith in the Virginia Colony (1607)

- The settlers had left for America for various reasons.

- Some had fled because of their faith (Pilgrim Fathers), others had fled because of poverty and sought a better life.

Nationalism

- Origin of unity and nationalism through wars against the French and Indians (French and Indian War, 1754-1763)

- The English settlers increasingly resisted the behavior of the mother country England.

- Despite the fact that they had to pay taxes, they were not allowed to participate in the British Parliament: "No taxation without representation!"

The Boston Tea Party (1)

The settlers no longer wanted to pay taxes on the imported English tea. So they started smuggling tea.

In 1773, the English government granted the British East India Company a monopoly on importing tea from Asia.

The settlers boycotted this tea and drank only smuggled tea.

The Boston Tea Party (2)

- The English decided to make their tea cheaper than the smuggled tea (Tea Act = Tea Act)

- In Boston, three English tea ships reached port.

- On the night of December 16, 1773, the ships were stormed by a group of settlers dressed as Native Americans.

- They threw all the tea, about 400 cases, overboard: the Boston Teaparty

Declaration of Independence

- The Congress, the assembly of the thirteen colonies, no longer want to belong to England: the differences are great.

- War against England started in 1775.

- On July 4, 1776, they declare themselves independent: Declaration of Independence.

- Prepared by later presidents such as: Thomas Jefferson and John Adams

War with Engeland 

1775-1783

- The Army of the Thirteen Colonies was led by General George Washington.

- For England the war is difficult and expensive because of the distance.

- In 1781 the English army was defeated at Yorktown

- The Peace of the American Revolutionary War signed in Paris in 1783