INDEPENDENCE IS WON

The declaration of independence adopted by the Second Continental Congress launched the new country — the United States of America. But to win independence was more difficult than to declare it. Like most of the revolutions, the American one was a minority movement. There were some people in America who remained loyal to the British crown and refused to fight against the mother country. Besides, many of the Americans did not want to leave their farms.

The leaders of the American revolution asked their colonial neighbours in Canada for help. But the Canadians would not join the American war, and American patriots had to face the British troops alone.

The main American army had hard times in the war with the British. Still they won several important victories. After that France, being no friend of Britain then, began to aid the USA secretly. From 1778 to 1783, France provided the rebels with money, regular army, equipment and ships. With the French aid, the Americans got a better chance of winning the war.

In 1779 Spain joined in the war on the American side, and so did the Netherlands in 1780. The British had to fight a war on several fronts. In the autumn of 1781 the main British army was besieged in Virginia by a larger American force on land and a French navy at sea.

On October 19, 1781, the British commander, Lord Cornwallis, surrendered. After that decisive victory of the Americans the British continued fighting in the New World for more than a year. During that period the British grew so war-weary that in 1782 they agreed to begin peace talks with the Americans. The talks were held in Paris, where Benjamin Franklin, John Adams and John Jay represented the United States of America.

Notes:

a minority movement — движение меньшинства

to remain loyal — оставаться верным

to grow war-weary — устать от войны, быть измотанным войной

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

The declaration of independence, to win independence, some people in America to declare it, to leave their farms, the American war, American patriots, in the war with the British.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

The Second Continental Congress, the main American army, from 1778 to 1783, France provided, in 1779 Spain joined in the war, on October 19, 1781.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

During that period, decisive victory, to begin peace talks with, the main British army, the American revolution, in the war with the British.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. What assembly launched the United States of America?

2. Was the American revolution a majority movement?

3. Did the Canadians join the American war?

4. Why did France begin to aid the USA?

5. What country joined the war on the American side in 1780?

6. When did the peace talks between Britain and the USA begin?

7. Where were they held?

8. Who represented the USA in Paris?

9. When did Britain recognize the independence of its former colonies?