EL Civics

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The United States of America is a free independent country now. Before 1776, America was not an independent country. It was a group of colonies. England controlled these colonies. Many American Colonists did not want to be controlled by the British government anymore.

The Colonists were unhappy for many reasons. They couldn't make their own laws or have their own government. Also, they only traded with England. People living in the colonies wanted to trade with other countries, too; but this was not possible. Finally, they paid high taxes to England. Many Colonists were upset about this. This was a difficult problem for the Colonists.

In 1770, many people in America began to protest England's control. Three years later, England made a law. The law said the Colonists must pay a tax on tea. It also said they must send this tax money to England. Some Colonists decided to fight this law. In December of 1773, three British ships with boxes of tea came to Boston Harbor in Massachusetts. One night, a group of Colonists wearing Native American clothes went onto the British ships. They threw all the boxes of tea into the water. All the tea was destroyed. This was called the Boston Tea Party. It is one of the most famous protests in American history.

After the Boston Tea Party, there were more problems and fighting. In 1774, the Colonists had an important meeting in Pennsylvania called the Pirst Continental Congress. At this meeting, representatives from the colonies talked about their problems. They were preparing for a revolution. Thomas Jefferson wrote an important document called the Declaration of Independence. It said that the people of America wanted to be free from England. The Declaration of Independence also said that "all men are created equal," and that everyone has "the right to life, liberty and happiness."

War between the American colonies and England started in 1775. This war, called the Revolutionary War, did not end until 1783. General George Washington was the leader of the American Army. Washington's army didn't have much food, clothing, or supplies. The British army was stronger, bigger, and had more of everything. But the Americans didn't give up. They lost many battles, but eventually, they won the war. During the Revolutionary War, all kinds of Americans fought. Farmers, sailors, business owners, and teachers became soldiers. Many African Americans also helped fight the British. Women helped during this time, too. They worked on the farms while the men fought. They also grew food, made clothes for the army, and took care of hurt soldiers. Other countries, like France, helped the Americans by sending soldiers or supplies.

On July 4th, 1776 the Declaration of Independence was signed. Representatives from all thirteen colonies signed the paper. The war was not finished yet, but this was the beginning of American independence. Today, we celebrate Independence Day in the U.S. every year on July 4th.