American Revolution

Rebellion by British colonies in North America (1775- 1783), caused in part by Britain's mercantilist policies and attempts to increase tax revenue. Given the distances involved and the limited military forces available, there was little possibility of a British victory. A British and German force of 34,000 men under General William Howe was sent to New York in 1776, which won engagements at Long Island, White Plains (1776) and Brandywine (1777), but it was never able to exploit its victories and crush George Washington's Continental Army. Nor did it successfully occupy territory it won - its presence antagonized local opinion. The survival of Britain's forces, furthermore, depended utterly on control of the sea. When other European powers, especially France, intervened, checking the British navy at the Battle of Chesapeake Capes (1781), the position of Britain's forces was hopeless, and Cornwallis surrendered the army at Yorktown (1781). Britain had little option but to accept American independence.