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In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation (ratified in 1781) to govern the colonies.  This established a weak national government, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval was required to amend the Articles of Confederation.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation (ratified in 1781) to govern the colonies.  This established a weak national government, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval was required to amend the Articles of Confederation.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  It is a mystery to this day whether [[Benedict Arnold]] actively directed our army there, or had little influence, before becoming a traitor and going over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, as the French entered on our side.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  It is a mystery to this day whether [[Benedict Arnold]] actively directed our army there, or had little influence, before becoming a traitor and going over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, as the French entered on our side thanks to the renowned Benjamin Franklin.

Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in obtaining French backing for the American cause and forging the Franco-American Alliance in 1778.  Due to Franklin's efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies' victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies' independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.  Franklin, it is worth noting, had other significant achievements that included writing the ''Poor Richard's Almanac'', inventing the Franklin stove for heating, and starting the first library.   

Benjamin Franklin had previously become widely admired and beloved in France.  This enabled him to be instrumental in obtaining French backing for the American cause and forging the Franco-American Alliance in 1778.  Due to Franklin's efforts as an ambassador to France, and the inspiration of the colonies' victory at Saratoga, France recognized the colonies' independence, entered into a military alliance with the colonies, and renounced its territory east of the Mississippi as well as Bermuda.  Franklin, it is worth noting, had other significant achievements that included writing the ''Poor Richard's Almanac'', inventing the Franklin stove for heating, and starting the first library.   

Despite the alliance with the French and the northern victories by the Patriots (Americans), the British were still beating the Patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, the Patriots installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of the revolution's best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, Virginia.  A remarkable French General, Marquis de Lafayette, gave much of his personal fortune to support the colonies in this Revolution, and he led French soldiers in siding with the Americans.

Despite the alliance with the French and the northern victories by the Patriots (Americans), the British were still beating the Patriots badly in the South.  The British captured Charleston in 1780, taking 5,500 soldiers and huge amounts of weapons.  Finally, the Patriots installed General [[Nathanael Greene]], one of the revolution's best generals.  He started inflicting heavy casualties on the British, and they retreated from the Carolinas to Yorktown, Virginia.  A remarkable French General, Marquis de Lafayette, gave much of his personal fortune to support the colonies in this Revolution, and he led French soldiers in siding with the Americans.