The today powerful nation of the United States of North America, had its origin in the territories that the English colonized on the Atlantic coast of North America (since the beginning of the 17th century), where they had managed to establish thirteen colonies, the same ones that were incorporated into the dominions of the British Empire . At the end of the 18th century (1776), these colonies, through successive wars against England, managed to emancipate themselves from Anglo-Saxon rule. The independence of the United States of America is one of the most important events in modern history, not only because it served as an example to the Latin American colonies that also aspired to their liberation, their emancipation, but, fundamentally, because of the preponderant role that the country of Washington plays in the destinies of the world in contemporary times .
The Thirteen Colonies
From 1637 to 1733, thirteen English colonies were established on the Atlantic coast of North America:Virginia, Massachusetts, Maryland, Rhode Island, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Delawre, North Carolina, South Carolina, South, Pennsylvania and Georgia, whose inhabitants professed the Protestant creed, with the exception of Maryland where there was freedom of worship, with a total population of 2,000,000 inhabitants; not all of them English but also:French, Irish, Scottish and German.
Features
These colonies formed, mostly, by educated people of Protestant creed, thanks to their eminently industrious spirit as well as to the immense wealth of the territory, managed to make great progress in a few years, while their population also experienced considerable growth.
They enjoyed political autonomy, that is, they were practically free and independent. They made use of their freedoms and rights and, likewise, each colony elected its own authorities, while solving its own problems, although in name they were under the domain of England, the same that was represented by a governor in each one of them. Therefore, they had the supreme desire to live in an environment of peace and freedom so that they could freely develop and practice their political and religious beliefs. In search of this, precisely, it was the first immigrants ("The Pilgrim Fathers" - 1620) who left England when religious persecution and royal despotism were implanted in this nation, and, after crossing the Atlantic, they settled on the east coast. from North America.
War of Independence
The prosperity of the thirteen colonies was disrupted when resource-poor England , imposed three economic taxes on these colonies, namely:
- He arranged that the colonies themselves should pay the expenses caused by the English army stationed in them.
- I also create stamped paper (sealed paper) for use in contracts.
- She finally established the tea tax.
Such measures not only caused unanimous protest on the part of the inhabitants of the thirteen colonies, but they also decided to definitively break all ties that linked them to the Motherland. It was at the first congress in Philadelphia (1774), which was attended, as delegates, by eminent patriots such as George Washington and John Adams, who requested the abolition of all those laws that imposed taxes on the colonies without their prior consent, faithful to the inviolable English tradition:"that there are no taxes without the approval of those who must pay them". Claiming for himself the same freedoms and rights enjoyed by the English of the Old World. The government responded with forceful measures and by sending more military personnel, leading to meetings like the one in Lexington, favorable to the settlers.
A Second Congress of Philadelphia (1775)
Called Second Continental Congress , with the participation of all the colonies and the participation of other egregious patriots, in addition to Washington and Adams, such as Thomas Jefferson, Benjamin Franklin, Roberto Morris, supporters of independence, decided to form an army of colonial militias to confront England, being appointed Supreme Commander of such troops George Washington. Said Congress also signed (July 4, 1776) the act of proclamation of the independence of the Thirteen Colonies, drawn up by a commission that included Washington, Jefferson and John Adams.
Military Actions
The main military actions waged in the North American War of Independence were:
- Those that took place in BOSTON and on the border with CANADA (1776), favorable to the settlers.
- The battle of Saratoga (1777) which was the first important victory over the English.
- The Battle of Yorktown (1781), fought with the help of France. It meant another victory for the colonial insurgents and sealed North American independence.
The Peace of Versailles:Final Triumph. – Through the Treaty of Versailles, signed in 1783, England finally recognized the independence of the United States. Previously, Spain and France had done it, these nations that offered such valuable help to the Thirteen Colonies in their struggle for emancipation.
The forgers of North American independence were:George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Benjamin Franklin.
George Washington
This distinguished patriot born in Virginia, was distinguished by his pure liberalism, the nobility of his feelings, as well as by his eminently industrious spirit; in addition to his skills as a wise and prudent politician. Owner of great wealth, he abandoned his agricultural activities to lead the insurgent armies. With the help of the French La Fayette and Rochambeau he managed to defeat the English at Trenton and Yorktown. After liberating the country from him, he organized it efficiently, at the same time that he had the Federal Constitution approved. He was the first president of the United States elected in 1789 and again for the second time in 1793.
He is considered the founder of North American independence. His contemporaries judge him, with the phrases of Juan Marshal, as "The first in war, the first in peace and the first in the hearts of his fellow citizens".
Help from France
France, rival and enemy of England because the latter had seized her colonies in Canada and India, helped the American Independence in a frank and determined manner, for which she sent not only money, soldiers and weapons, but also powerful forces. naval officers and generals of great figuration. Finally, both countries signed the FRANCO-AMERICAN ALLIANCE in order to defend that proclaimed independence. And among the military actions carried out with the help of French troops, the BATTLE OF YORKTOWN (1781) stands out, waged by Washington and the French generals Rochambeau and La Fayette, which we have already mentioned, the latter of outstanding performance in all said war. separatist.
The republican state
A Constitutional convention, gathered in Philadelphia in 1787, drafted the Constitution of 1787, which is the same that, with some modifications, currently governs the United States of America. Said Convention also elected Jorge Washington as President.
The Constitution of 1787 created the FEDERAL REPUBLIC AND DEMOCRACY, with a central government of three powers:Legislative, Executive and Judicial. Of these powers, it is the Legislative (Congress), which properly directs the policy of the Nation.