Notes on the American War of Independdence

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The Continental Congress pass the Declaration of Independence on 4 July 1776. This marked the final break with Britain.

—In 1777, the British captured the cities of New York and Philadelphia. The British were winning the war.

—The Americans did receive a boost when the defeated the British at the battle of Saratoga.

Valley Forge—Washington’s army spent the winter in 1777-78 training in a place called Valley Forge. They lived in terrible conditions and many soldiers died or deserted. Defeat for the Americans was beginning to look certain.

However—

Following the American victory at Saratoga, France decided to join the war on the Americans side. This was hugely important.

—1. They sent 6,000 experienced and well trained men.

—2. The French Navy was able to attack the British Navy at sea and so the British found it difficult to send troops or equipment to the redcoats.

—3. Eventually Dutch and Spanish troops also helped out the Americans.

—The tide had now turned in favour of the Americans. In October 1781, the Americans and the French surrounded the British at Yorktown and forced them to surrender. This was a decisive battle.

 —Britain officially recognised the independence of America when the Treaty of Paris was signed in 1784.

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Results of the American War of Independence

1)The United States of America was founded. It began as thirteen colonies and would grow into 50 states.—

2)The American Victory inspired the French to challenge their king. This led to the French Revolution in 1789. In Ireland too, certain politicians began to look for greater independence from England.—

The United States had a constitution (book of rules) on how the country should be governed. It also had a Bill of Rights. These documents helped to spread democracy around the world over the next 200 years.

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