9.4 American War of Independence
"American Revolution: U.S. War of Independence"
• Insurrection fought between 1775-1783.
• 13 North American colonies resisted British rule.
• Aimed to establish the sovereign U.S.
"European Invasion of the New World"
• Columbus's discovery in 1492 led to Europeans inhabiting the "New World."
• Europeans developed settled life as colonists, claiming colonial territories.
• British established thirteen colonies in North America between 1607-1682.
• American War of Independence was a struggle for independence against British rule.
First Continental Congress and Army Establishment
•13 Colonists gather in Philadelphia for First Continental Congress.
• Adopt non-importation, non-consumption agreement.
• Cut off imports from Britain.
• Congress meets again on May 10, 1775.
• Army of the United Colonies set up.
• Colonel George Washington appointed as Army Commander-in-Chief.
Revolutionary War and Declaration of Independence
• Rebellion began in major cities and trading ports.
• 13 colonies declared independence in 1776.
• Thomas Jefferson drafted Declaration of Independence, justifying rebellion and introducing the USA.
• Declaration introduced human freedom philosophy, influential in western world.
• British government accepted defeat in 1783.
• Majority of delegates signed constitution on September 17, 1787.
1787 Constitutional Convention and the War of Independence
• The 1787 constitutional convention faced challenges in 1788, leading to a divide between federalists and anti-federalists.
• Anti-federalists joined federalists to ratify the constitution on June 25.
• The war of independence liberated the American people from British rule and created independent American nations, forming the United States.
• The war influenced France and Latin America, leading to the French Revolution in 1789.
• In March 1889, elections were held for the new federal government, with George Washington becoming the first President of the USA.
A Step towards Industrial Development"
• Didn't abolish slavery.
• Didn't consider Red Indians as citizens.
• Essential step towards US creation.