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1.2.1 Conflict with the British Parliament
When the British government began to lay duties on the import of tropical products in order to meet the heavy debt incurred in the British colonial war against France, this policy was passionately resented in the colonies. On the principle of "no taxation without representation" (i.e. in Parliament), the colonies opposed the Stamp Act, a tax imposed on newspapers and legal documents. In 1773, the cargo of three English tea ships in Boston harbour was thrown into the sea by colonists disguised as Indians, an incident which later became known as the "Boston Tea Party". When the British government answered by closing the harbour and curtailing the rights of Massachusetts government, the First Continental Congress met in 1774 to discuss united resistance.
1.2.2 War of Independence, 1775-1783
The Second Continental Congress representing all colonies met in May 1775 at Philadelphia. It appointed Washington Commander- in- Chief of the newly created army and navy. It issued the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776 (Today celebrated as "Independence Day"), and contracted a military alliance with France. Later the Treaty of Paris, 1783, recognized the independence of the thirteen colonies.
1.2.3 American Constitution
When the early Articles of Confederation providing for a relatively loose union failed to co-ordinate the interests of the various states, a Constitutional Convention of 55 delegates including the most distinguished men in America (Washington, Franklin, Hamilton, Madison) met in 1787 to draft a constitution for a closer federation. The American Constitution came into force in 1789, when nine of the thirteen states, after hard negotiations to preserve their individual rights, hat ratified it. It established the United States as a federal republic with a bicameral legislature and a President who is official head of state as well as leader of the government.
1.2.4 Early Foreign Policy
The War with Great Britain 1812-1814 was caused by the British blockade of the Atlantic during the Napoleonic Wars. The British attacked Washington and burned the Capitol and the White House. Finally they were defeated in the Battle of New Orleans.
Monroe Doctrine (1823) The interference of European powers in the affairs of Latin America prompted President Monroe to recognize the independence of the former Spanish colonies which had revolted against the mother country, and to proclaim the Monroe Doctrine containing the following provisions: The USA would not interfere with internal affairs of Europe. Europe was not to interfere with existing governments in the Americas. Europe was not to colonize any further in the Americas.
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