North America Modern history

john trumbull s declaration of independence, showing five-man committee in charge of drafting declaration in 1776 presents work second continental congress in philadelphia

beginning age of revolution, american revolution , ensuing political upheaval during last half of 18th century saw thirteen colonies of north america overthrow governance of parliament of great britain, , reject british monarchy become sovereign united states of america. in period colonies first rejected authority of parliament govern them without representation, , formed self-governing independent states. second continental congress joined against british defend self-governance in armed conflict 1775 1783 known american revolutionary war (also called american war of independence).

the american revolution began fighting @ lexington , concord. on july 4, 1776, issued declaration of independence, proclaimed independence great britain , formation of cooperative union. in june 1776, benjamin franklin appointed member of committee of 5 drafted declaration of independence. although temporarily disabled gout , unable attend meetings of committee, franklin made several small changes draft sent him thomas jefferson.

the rebellious states defeated great britain in american revolutionary war, first successful colonial war of independence. while states had rejected governance of parliament, through declaration new united states rejected legitimacy of monarchy demand allegiance. war raged 7 years, effective american victory, followed formal british abandonment of claim united states treaty of paris.

north america 1797

the philadelphia convention set current united states; united states constitution ratification following year made states part of single republic limited central government. bill of rights, comprising ten constitutional amendments guaranteeing many fundamental civil rights , freedoms, ratified in 1791.

decolonization of north , south americas

the decolonization of americas process countries in americas gained independence european rule. decolonization began series of revolutions in late 18th , early-to-mid-19th centuries. spanish american wars of independence numerous wars against spanish rule in spanish america took place during 19th century, 1808 until 1829, directly related napoleonic french invasion of spain. conflict started short-lived governing juntas established in chuquisaca , quito opposing composition of supreme central junta of seville.

when central junta fell french, numerous new juntas appeared across americas, resulting in chain of newly independent countries stretching argentina , chile in south, mexico in north. after death of king ferdinand vii, in 1833, cuba , puerto rico remained under spanish rule, until spanish–american war in 1898. unlike spanish, portuguese did not divide colonial territory in america. captaincies created subdued centralized administration in salvador (later relocated rio de janeiro) reported directly portuguese crown until independence in 1822, becoming empire of brazil.