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In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation to govern the colonies, but they were not ratified until 1781.  The government they instituted was weak, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.

In 1777, the Continental Congress adopted the Articles of Confederation to govern the colonies, but they were not ratified until 1781.  The government they instituted was weak, without a president or courts, and unanimous approval required to amend them.  Eventually, they were replaced by the Constitution.

At Saratoga in upstate New York in October 1777, 6,000 British soldiers surrendered, constituting a huge victory for the colonies.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, because the French then 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.  [[Benedict Arnold]] led our army brilliantly, before he became a traitor and went over to the British side.  The Saratoga victory was the turning point in the war, because the French then entered on our side and ended its neutrality.

The Franco-American Alliance ended French Neutrality in 1778.  Benjamin Franklin was instrumental in achieving this alliance, which became one of the biggest reasons why the Americans won the war.  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 had other significant achievements.  He wrote Poor Richard's Almanac, invented the Franklin stove for heating, and started the first library.   

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 Poor Richard's Almanac, inventing the Franklin stove for heating, and starting the first library.   

Still, the British were 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, VA.

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, VA.

In May 1781, French arrived with two fleets, and trapped the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  They were forced to surrender their entire army of 8000.  But the British still held New York, and didn’t finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783.   

In May 1781, the French arrived with two fleets, and trapped the British at Yorktown, Virginia.  They were forced to surrender their entire army of 8,000.  But the British still held New York, and did not finally sign a peace treaty until February 1783.   

That treaty was called the Treaty of Paris, and it ended the American Revolution.  The British gave up their claim to land east of the Mississippi, from Canada to Florida.  The Americans promised to treat the Loyalists and English creditors (people owed money by colonists) fairly.  They didn’t always do that.  But there is blame to be shared on both sides of the issue: in Gladstone, New Jersey, the "Union Jack" (British flag) can be seen prominently flown to this day on one residential lot along with the American flag.  Nevertheless, the war was finally over, and the citizens of the thirteen colonies were no longer called colonists, but Americans.

The treaty ending the American Revolution was the Treaty of Paris.  The British gave up their claim to land east of the Mississippi, from Canada to Florida.  The Americans promised to treat fairly the Loyalists (colonists loyal to the King) and English creditors (people owed money by colonists) fairly.  Some people on both sides refused to abide by the treaty.  In Gladstone, New Jersey, the "Union Jack" (British flag) can be seen prominently flown to this day on one residential lot (along with the American flag).  Nevertheless, the war was finally over, and the citizens of the thirteen colonies were no longer called colonists, but Americans.

== References ==

== References ==