In the early 1700s the British settlers in the
American colonies helped Britain in its struggle against France for the
English rule on the new territories ("French and Indian War")
After the expulsion of France from North America
(1763) king George III imposed huge duties on certain goods like molasses,
tea, glass and paint provoking deep dissatisfaction in the settlers. The
British also passed a Stamp Act, a special tax in the form of a stamp which
had to be placed on newspapers and legal papers.
Colonists formed and organization called "The Sons of
Liberty" to lead protest against the British. From Britain the only answer was
to send soldiers and enforce its laws.
In 1770 some settlers clashed with British troops on a
Boston street and, in the excitement, the soldiers fired into the crowd. Five
people were killed and the shooting came to be known by the colonists as the
Boston Massacre.
Colonial leader such as Samuel Adams, his cousin John
Adams (who would later become the second president of the United States),
George Washington and Benjamin Franklin organized stronger protests against
the British rule. Britain dropped most of the taxes, but kept the one on tea.
The question came to a head with the "Boston tea
party" (December 1773), when a group of settlers – disguised as Indians -
threw a cargo of tea ready to sail for England into Boston Bay.
Britain’s answer was to close the whole city of Boston
by closing the port to ships.
In 1775 the Revolution broke out.
The first battles were won by the British, but soon
the situation changed radically and general G. Washington defeated England
definitely.
1776, July 4th: the
Representatives of the 13 United States of America promulgated the Declaration of Independence.
In 1783 the Treaty of Paris gave independence to the United States and a
new Constitution was set up. George Washington became the first president of
the United States. Thomas Jefferson was appointed as Secretary of State and
Alexander Hamilton as Secretary of the Treasury.
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