10.

Last of Britains American colonies

The second major war after the War of Spanish Succession was the war of Austrian Succession
in which Prussia was supported by France and Austria was supported by England. So the war
was actually between France and England. During the war, England and France competed for
dominance and it was probably the most important war of the century known as the Seven Years
War (1756-1763).
The war was associated with the second prime-minister William Pitt. He was a very honest man.
He knew that it was not Britains choice to conquer the rest of the world. The Seven Years War
started badly for Britain. But with the help of Pitt, in 1763 it was clear that both India and North
America were forever lost for France. Britain was now a superpower. After George 2
nd
died,
George 3
rd
became a king. He was very ambitious and had the desire to rule. He saw a threat in
Pitt as he was extremely popular. Once the Seven Year War ended France lost Canada to Britain.
The Stamp Act was enforced meaning most of the transactions needed to be accompanied by a
document and Americans hated it. American colonists endured severe taxes and they werent
allowed to trade with anyone else but British ships. The Stamp Act was suppressed but the
colonists had to give tea and glass. Samuel Adams was the perfect demagogue and he managed
to buy a ship and transport tea to Boston. In Boston, a group of men, disguised as Indians,
boarded the ships carrying tea and threw their cargo in the sea. This act was not tolerated by
Britain and soon enough, the conflict was open. The 13 colonies sided with one and other in this
fight. Parliament thought that it would be an easy fight, seeing that the colonists had no standing
army, no fleet, and no fortified towns. War broke out in 1776, when the colonists rejected the
rule of George 3
rd
in favor of their own rule. France saw this occasion as revenge. The French
gave the Americans a fleet, money, weapons and aid in fighting the British. France won the war.
The Declaration of Independence was written by Jefferson and the British had to sign it and
recognize it.
The consequences of the war were disastrous to some. USA was created; it was a great loss for
Britain but had a good outcome as well: the loss of the colonies put an end to the kings
ambitions. Also, France bankrupted itself and the French Revolution started.