The formation of the United States as a state occurred only in the XVIII century. The Declaration of Independence is the main document from which the countdown is based. It was signed on July 4, 1776. There is still a myth in Russia that Empress Catherine II sold Alaska to the United States. However, at that time the States had just formed into a single state. No one thought about any expansions at that time. July 4th is Independence Day in the United States. How the States achieved it will be discussed in this article.
America's spheres of influence
The formation of the US as a state took a long time. In the 16th century, the future territory was inhabited by local Indians. Later, Europeans began to move here, many of whom were bandits fleeing persecution in their countries. Also among the first settlers were many desperate people from the OldEurope. They came to a new continent in search of happiness and we alth. By the beginning of the 18th century, Europeans had mastered almost the entire continent. The entire territory of the future United States, with the exception of Alaska, was divided into spheres of influence of three states in order to prevent military clashes. Britain got the Atlantic coast, France - the Great Lakes region, Spain - the Pacific coast, Florida, Texas.
However, not all colonies wanted to be dependent on mother countries. The states of Britain opposed London. But no one was going to let them go so easily. The war has begun.
War of Independence (1775-1783): causes
One of the bloodiest wars in North America was the War of Independence. There were many reasons for her:
- The metropolis treated the States only as we alth-producing territories.
- Raw materials were exported to England: furs, cotton, and finished goods were imported. The colony was forbidden to create manufactories, produce fabrics, iron products, trade with other countries.
- Colonists were forbidden to move west beyond the Allegheny Mountains, as the administration could not extend its influence there.
- Various taxes and fees were constantly increasing. So, in 1765, another stamp duty appeared. It was supposed to pay for all documents with stamps.
The last point was especially acutely perceived by the Americans. If they had previously understood that taxes were necessary for development, then stamp duty opened their eyes. It was an act of nakedrobbery of the colonists. Due to this, the metropolis was going to maintain an army of 10 thousand people in America.
First Sons of Liberty meetings
It was "freedom" that was the main creed of the colonists. The formation of the United States as a state proceeded under these slogans. In 1765, the "Congress Against the Stamp Duty" met in New York. It produced a document - the Declaration of the Rights of the Colonies. This is a prototype of the future document of independence. There were no rituals. "Sons of Liberty" burned effigies, symbolizing British officials. One of the leaders of the movement was John Adams, the future second president of the United States, one of the founding fathers of the state.
The Sons got their way. England was frightened and canceled the stamp duty in 1766.
Boston Tea Party Start of Confrontation
However, England's economic pressure on the colonies was growing all the time. In 1770, the first clashes appeared in Boston between soldiers and civilians. 5 people died.
Here, in 1773, an event took place, which in history was called the "Boston Tea Party". Local residents, under the guise of Indians, entered the British ships, which delivered a large batch of tea for the colony, and threw all the cargo into the sea. The entire coast was dyed black.
In response to this, England took a series of extreme measures that led to war:
- Boston port was declared closed.
- The state of Massachusetts was deprived of the charter, and all citizens in it - the right to assemble, rallies.
- Governor received statusgovernor general with unlimited rights.
- Citizens' houses were declared free for soldiers to stay, all disobedience was treated as treason and severely punished.
Establishment of a Congress as an alternative to British administration
Behind Massachusetts were all the British colonies. In September-October 1774, in Philadelphia, 56 representatives from 12 states (all except Georgia) created the First Continental Congress. It was attended by the founding fathers: D. Washington, Samuel and John Adams and others. Congress voted on the principle of "one state - one vote." It adopted the Declaration of the Rights and Needs of the Colonies. It reflected such principles as the right to life, liberty and property, the right to fair justice, peaceful assembly, rallies, etc. The official date of the formation of the United States falls on a later period, but this event marked the beginning of independence.
Colonies prepare for war
Congress stirred up the society. Many began to prepare for war. So, Virginia did declare war on England. The state began to form a militia - the Minutemen. At the same time, a Communications Committee was created - a center for coordinating all the states in the war against the metropolis. The formation of the United States as a state is connected with a future bloody war.
Society split
The society was not united in the impulse to start a war against England. There were many who actively opposed it. In general, the country was divided into supporters of independence ("Whigs") and opponents ("Tories", "loyalists"). local Indian tribesdecided to remain neutral in this matter. For them, it was just a conflict of some Europeans with others. However, there is evidence of the participation of some tribes on both sides.
Slaves took advantage of the situation. They began to flee their plantations en masse, using chaos and confusion. The slaves wanted to support England in exchange for freedom. However, she was afraid of a precedent that could provoke an uprising in other colonies.
An interesting fact, but many fighters for independence proclaimed honest work, freedom, equality, but in fact were large slave owners.
US Founding Date
The War of Independence lasted almost ten years, from 1775 to 1783. There were many battles during this time. In addition to the Americans and the British, the French, Russians, and Spaniards took part in it. All of them supported the rebels. In this war, a new tactic was developed - a quick offensive by dashes, borrowed from the Indians. This was effective against the line formation of the British. The colonists also used ambushes, difficult terrain, attacked at night, and actively used camouflage. English soldiers in red uniforms were not ready for this, accustomed to fighting in the open, to the beat of drums, in a linear march.
1776 - the date of the formation of the United States as an independent state, and this July day is recognized as Independence Day. The colonists won the war and finally approved their Declaration, based on modern basic democratic principles.principles.
