The American War of Independence

In 1775 a long-running dispute between the British government and its 13 American colonies over taxation and representation broke out into open war. The colonists, led by George Washington, declared independence on 4 July 1776. After eight years of fighting, including the decisive American victory at Yorktown in 1781, the British recognised American independence in the Treaty of Paris of 1783.

Further reading: an editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.

The loss of America was a major blow to British prestige but it accelerated the development of other parts of the empire — particularly Australia, where the first British settlement was founded at Sydney in 1788, and India, where the East India Company expanded its territories. The political lessons learned in America also contributed to the more cautious imperial reforms of the nineteenth century.

You may be asked the year America declared independence (1776), or who led the colonial armies (George Washington).

Test yourself on this topic

These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.

1. When did the American colonies declare independence?
2. When did Britain recognise the American colonies' independence?
3. When did the American Colonies declare their independence?
4. In 1776, ______ colonies of the British Empire decided to declare their independence
5. How many American colonies declared their independence in 1776?
6. In 1776, 13 colonies declared their independence from the British. On which continent were these colonies located?

Keep going

• Read the full study notes for British History.
• Try a practice test on this chapter.
• Sit a full 24-question timed mock.
• Browse the complete library of topic explainers.

Related topic explainers