Education of the United States as a state: slave owners are fighting for their rights

The formation of the US as a state occurred only in the XVIII century. The Declaration of Independence is the main document from which the countdown is taking place. It was signed on July 4, 1776. In Russia there is still a myth that Empress Catherine II sold the United States to Alaska. However, at that time, the States had only just formed into a single state. No one was thinking about any extensions at that time. July 4 was the Day of Independence in the United States. About how the States sought it, we will discuss this article.

Spheres of influence of America

The formation of the United States as a state went on for a long time. In the 16th century, the future territory was inhabited by local Indians. Later Europeans moved here, many of whom were bandits fleeing persecution in their countries. Also among the first settlers was a lot of desperate people from Old Europe. They found themselves in the new continent in search of happiness and wealth. By the beginning of the XVIII century, the Europeans had mastered almost the whole continent. The entire territory of the future US, with the exception of Alaska, was divided into spheres of influence of the three states in order to prevent military clashes. Britain got the coast of the Atlantic, France - the Great Lakes region, Spain - the Pacific coast, Florida, Texas.

However, not all colonies wanted to be dependent on the metropolises. The states of Britain came out against London. But it was so easy to let go of them no one was going to. The war began.

War of Independence (1775-1783): reasons

One of the most bloody wars in North America was the war for independence. There were many reasons for it:

• The metropolitan state treated the States only as territories for the extraction of wealth.
• In England, raw materials were exported: furs, cotton, and finished goods were imported. The colony was forbidden to create manufactories, produce fabrics, iron products, trade with other countries.
• The colonists were forbidden to move to the west for the Alleghen mountains, because the administration could not spread its influence there.
• Various taxes and fees were constantly increasing. So, in 1765 another stamp duty was issued. According to him, all documents with stamps were supposed to be paid.

The last point was especially acute for the Americans. If before they understood that taxes are necessary for development, the stamp duty opened their eyes. This was an act of undisguised robbery of the colonists. Due to this metropolis was going to maintain an army of 10 thousand people in America.

The first meeting of the "Sons of Freedom"

It was "freedom" that was the chief creed of the colonists. Education of the United States as a state went under these slogans. In 1765, the "Congress Against Stamp Collection" gathered in New York. It developed a document - the Declaration of the Rights of the Colonies. This is the prototype of the future document on independence. Not without rituals. "Sons of freedom" burned stuffed, symbolized by 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" have achieved their goal. England was frightened and canceled the stamp duty in 1766.

"Boston Tea Party", the beginning of the confrontation

However, the economic pressure of England on the colony all the time increased. In 1770, the first clashes appeared in Boston between soldiers and civilians. Killed 5 people.

Here, in 1773, there was an event that in history was called "Boston Tea Party". Local residents, under the guise of the Indians, infiltrated British ships that brought a large batch of tea for the colony, and threw the entire cargo into the sea. The whole coastline was painted black in a drink.

In response, England took a number of extreme measures that led to the war:

• Boston Port was declared closed.
• The state of Massachusetts was deprived of the charter, and all citizens in it - the rights to meetings, rallies.
• The Governor received the status of Governor-General with unlimited rights.
• The houses of citizens were declared free for standing soldiers, all disobedience was treated as treason and seriously punished.

The creation of the Congress as an alternative to the English administration

Behind Massachusetts were all the British colonies. In September-October 1774 in Philadelphia 56 representatives of 12 states (all except Georgia) created the First Continental Congress. It was attended by founding fathers: D. Washington, Samuel and John Adams, and others. The 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 assemblies, rallies, etc. The official date for the formation of the United States falls at a later period, but this event marked the beginning of independence.

Colonies prepare for war

Congress stirred up society. Many began to prepare for war. So, Virginia and did declare war on England. The state began to form a militia - minutemen. At the same time, the Communications Committee was established, the center for the coordination of all states in the war against the metropolis. The formation of the US as a state is linked to a future bloody war.

The split of society

The society was not united in a fit to start a war against England. There were many who actively opposed this. In general, the country was divided into supporters of independence ("Whigs") and opponents ("Tories", "Loyalists"). Local Indian tribes decided to maintain neutrality in this matter. For them it was just a conflict of some Europeans with others. However, evidence of the participation of some tribes from both sides remained.

The situation was taken advantage of by slaves. They massively began to escape from their plantations, using chaos and confusion. 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 major slaveholders.

Date of foundation of the USA

The war for independence lasted almost ten years, from 1775 to 1783. There were many battles during this time. In addition to the Americans and the British, it was attended by the French, Russian, Spanish. All of them supported the rebels. In this war, a new tactic was developed - a rapid offensive attack, borrowed from the Indians. This was effective against the linear system of the English. Also, the colonists used ambushes, difficult terrain, attacked at night, and actively used disguise. This was not ready for the British soldiers in red uniforms, accustomed to fight in the open, under the battle of drums, 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.