Could the United States Have Won Its Independence in 1793 Without the Aide of the French?

Could the United States have won its independence in 1793 without the aide of the French?

The American Revolutionary War was the showing of the colonists' desire not to be taxed without the right to representation in the Parliament of England. Following the French and Indian War, England needed to get back some of the cost of the war from the colonists. To the British it only seemed fair that the Colonies pay a share for their own defense. Britain resorted to the Stamp Act of 1765 as a means to raise money from the Colonies. This act resulted in outrage from the Colonies and led to rioting, rhetoric, and the formation of the Stamp Act Congress. These actions quickly led to the repeal of the Stamp Act; however, there were many new taxes levied to take its place. The Americans continued to object strongly to these new measures and formed organized political groups such as the Committee of Correspondence and the Sons of Liberty. "Taxation without representation is tyranny," quickly became the battle cry of the Colonies.

In Boston the Americans became quite outspoken and even resorted to violent acts against the British customs officials as they attempted to collect the unpopular taxes. Britain was forced to send troops to protect the customs officials. In the year of 1770 the first blood was drawn by the British as the troops opened fire into a group protesting the "unfair" taxes. Five members of the group were killed in what later became known as the Boston Massacre.

In 1773 a group of citizens from the Boston area dressed as Mohawk Indians, boarded a ship, and dumped over 300 chests of tea into the Boston Harbor to protest the monopoly of the East India Company. Britain responded with the "Intolerable Acts." This document required that Colonists accused of this act would be tried in England and that the homes of Americans would be used to quarter the British troops. As a direct result of this act, the First Continental Congress was formed in 1774, and held its first meeting in Philadelphia's Carpenter's Hall. All twelve of the colonies sent representatives to seek a means to restore harmonious relations with England. Revolution was not the purpose of this meeting; however, radical thinking proved to be the winner as the acts of Parliament were declared.

If the French did not aide the United States during the American Revolution, I