Changes

====Thirteen Colonies====

====Thirteen Colonies====

{{main|Thirteen Colonies}}  [[File:Pop1750.jpg|thumb|400px]]

{{main|Thirteen Colonies}}  [[File:Pop1750.jpg|thumb|400px|Population of 13 colonies in 1750]]

The thirteen original colonies began organizing shadow governments, called "Committees of Correspondence," which prepared the Americans for the day "patriots" (or "Whigs," as they called themselves) could assume all functions of local government. That day came when the British sent troops from Boston to seize gunpowder in an attempt to dismantle a potential revolt, and the American patriots gathered there to defend their liberty. These patriots were known as the American "Minutemen," a well-trained militia, and had planned for this day at Lexington and Concord. When the militia clashed with the elite British troops they soundly defeated them, prompting a historic backlash from Britain. The American Revolution had begun.  

The thirteen original colonies began organizing shadow governments, called "Committees of Correspondence," which prepared the Americans for the day "patriots" (or "Whigs," as they called themselves) could assume all functions of local government. That day came when the British sent troops from Boston to seize gunpowder in an attempt to dismantle a potential revolt, and the American patriots gathered there to defend their liberty. These patriots were known as the American "Minutemen," a well-trained militia, and had planned for this day at Lexington and Concord. When the militia clashed with the elite British troops they soundly defeated them, prompting a historic backlash from Britain. The American Revolution had begun.