414 History
WHO CALLED FOR FREEDOM?
The 1776 Declaration of Independence was issued
in Philadelphia, in the name of John Hancock,
president of the Continental Congress. It was
largely written by Thomas Jefferson, who later
became the third US president. It declared that
“all men are created equal” and have a right to “life,
liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. These ringing
words inspired revolutionaries around the world.4 LIBERTY BELL
This bell hung in the
Pennsylvania State House. It
was rung to mark both the
Boston Tea Party and the
first public reading of
the Declaration of
Independence.DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
In 1774, Patriots (the anti-British rebels) convened the first in
a series of Continental Congresses in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania,
to co-ordinate their struggle against the British. The 1776 Congress
issued a Declaration of Independence, laying down its principles
of freedom. A full United States government was founded in 1788.WHAT WAS THE BOSTON TEA PARTY?
Taxes paid on imported goods were very
unpopular. In 1773, colonists disguised as American
Indians boarded an English ship in Boston harbour
and threw its cargo of highly taxed tea overboard.
This became known as the Boston Tea Party.WHO FOUGHT IN THE WAR?
British troops, including German mercenaries, were
supported by colonial loyalists. The rebellious Patriots
formed a Continental Army after 1775, defeating the
British at Saratoga Springs in 1777. The French sent
6,000 troops to fight the British.WHY DID THE COLONISTS REVOLT?
The people who had settled in North America valued
personal freedom. Many of them had left Europe
because of their strong religious or political views.
They protested when the British government imposed
taxes on them without consulting the local governing
bodies of the colonies.American Revolution
The period 1765-1788 saw great changes in North America.
The 13 British colonies in the east demanded democratic
government, and went to war against Britain in 1775.
In 1776 they issued a. DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
and in 1781 the British command surrendered the fight.
2 SIEGE OF YORKTOWN, 1781
In 1781, George Washington and
the French commander, the
Comte de Rochambeau, besieged
and finally defeated the British at
Yorktown, Virginia.GEORGE WASHINGTON
1732-1799
Born in Virginia, Washington
was a wealthy landowner and
served with the British army.
In 1775 he was chosen to
command the rebel American
army, which he led to victory
in 1781. He oversaw the new
constitution and in 1789
became the first US president.FIND OUT MORE. Colonial America 409
s American
American
Revolution