6.2.5

Independence

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Thirteen Colonies

Britain came to control thirteen colonies along the east coast. However, disagreements between the British government and the American colonists led to the War of Independence.

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East coast

  • After the successful settlements of Virginia and Plymouth, other English people set their sights on America and migrated there to begin a new life.
  • They settled along the eastern coast of North America.
  • By 1732, Britain controlled thirteen colonies in North America.
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British values

  • Being of British heritage, many of these American colonists believed Britain to be ‘the mother country’.
  • They also valued British democracy and liberties, which included:
    • The right to a free trial.
    • Paying taxes should mean representation in parliament.
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The War of Independence

  • However, by the mid-1700s the British were struggling financially and decided to begin taxing the American colonies, even though they were not represented in the British parliament.
  • This set in motion a series of events which resulted in the War of Independence breaking out in 1775 between Britain and the American colonists.
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The Declaration of Independence

  • On 4th July 1776 the colonists signed the Declaration of Independence, in which they stated that they were fighting to be free from British rule.
  • America has been celebrating Independence Day on 4th July ever since.
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The Battle of Yorktown

  • The war dragged on for seven more years, but eventually the British were forced to surrender to the Americans in the Siege of Yorktown in 1781.
  • British control of North America had ended, and Britain turned its attention to the rest of its empire.

Jump to other topics

1Empires East & West: 1000 AD

1.1The Rise & Fall of Ancient China’s Empire

1.2The Medieval Greatness of the Byzantine Empire

1.3The Golden Age of the Islamic Empire

1.4The Politics & Power of the Holy Roman Empire

1.5Medieval Religion

1.6The Influence of the Church in Medieval Times

1.7How Religion Tested the Power of Kings

1.8Dynastic Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.9Challenges to Medieval Monarchs

1.10Revolts, Rebellions & Rights

1.11Medieval England & Her Neighbours

1.12European Renaissance

1.13Norman Conquest & Control

1.14Historical Skills

2The Medieval World: 450-1450 AD

2.1Anglo-Saxon England

2.2The Contest for the English Throne

2.3Conquering the Holy Land, 10-96-1396 AD

2.4King John

2.5The Magna Carta & Parliament

2.6The Black Death

3Worldviews

4The Empire of Mali: 1076-1670 AD

5The Renaissance & Reformations: 1500-1598 AD

6The British Empire: 1583-1960 AD

7The Peasants' Revolt: 1381 AD

8Religion in the Middle Ages

9Slavery: 1619-1833 AD

10The English Civil War: 1642-1660 AD

11The Industrial Revolution: 1750-1840 AD

12US Independence: 1775-1783 AD

13The French Revolution: 1789-1815 AD

14The British Empire: 1857–1930 AD

15Suffrage: 1840-1928 AD

16World War 1: 1914-1918 AD

17The Inter-War Years: 1919-1939 AD

18World War 2: 1939-1945 AD

19The Cold War: 1947-1962 AD

20Civil Rights in the USA: 1954-1975 AD

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