The American Revolution was an ideological and political revolution that took place between 1765 and 1783, primarily in British America
. It was based on the principles of the American Enlightenment and was a reaction to the British government's policies and taxes imposed on the American colonies
. The revolution led to the formation of the United States of America and is often considered a pivotal event in the nation's history
. Key aspects of the American Revolution include:
- Ideology : The American Enlightenment was a critical precursor of the revolution, with ideas such as natural law, natural rights, consent of the governed, individualism, property rights, self-ownership, self-determination, liberalism, republicanism, and defense against corruption gaining popularity among American colonists
- Political disagreements : The protest began in opposition to taxes levied without colonial representation by the British government
. As political disagreements grew, they triggered a perpetual cycle of defiant acts and punitive laws that led to open rebellion
- Military conflict : The war began in earnest on April 19, 1775, with the battles of Lexington and Concord
. The conflict lasted for seven years, with the major American victory at Yorktown, Virginia in 1781 marking the end of hostilities, although some fighting took place through the fall of 1783
- International involvement : The war became an international conflict as France joined the American colonies in 1778 and Spain joined in 1779
. The Netherlands provided both official recognition of the United States and financial support for it
- Key events : The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4th, 1776, formally dissolving the colonies' relationship with their mother country
. The Continental Army, led by General George Washington, experienced numerous challenges and hardships as well as notable victories during the war
The American Revolution was a significant event that shaped the course of human events and led to the formation of the United States of America
