[交流] The American Revolution

                       The American Revolution
      At the early 17th century, the British began to establish colonies in North America along the Atlantic coast. 100 years later, there are already 13 British colonies in North America which are governed by British Governors. At that time, a large number of colonial plantations were developed, and textile, iron-smelting, mining and other industries were established. The economics in the colonies were very flourishing.
      In order to increase financial income, the British government increased colonial taxes, exploring the colonies cruelly. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England, and anti-British sentiments became more serious. As the unrest grew in the colonies, in 1774 the 13 colonies sent delegates to Philadelphia Pennsylvania to form the First Continental Congress. The delegates were unhappy with England, but were not yet ready to declare war.
On morning April 19, 1775, the Boston people broke out the first shot in Lexington. The gunfire in Lexington opened the prelude to the American War of Independence. The revolutionaries gained control of each of the thirteen colonial governments, set up the Second Continental Congress, and formed a Continental Army.
      In June 1776, their efforts had became hopeless and a committee was formed to compose a formal declaration of independence Headed by Thomas Jefferson, the committee included John Adams, Benjamin Franklin. Thomas Jefferson was chosen to write the first draft which was presented to the Congress on June 28. The Americans responded in 1776 by formally declaring their independence as a new nation-the United States of America-claiming sovereignty and allegiance to the British monarchy.