America’s Revolutionary War was formalised on 4 July 1776, when the original group of 13 North American British colonies unanimously adopted and proclaimed the Declaration of Independence. This was no precipitous or impulsive act, however. Instead, it was the culmination of a series of events that spanned more than a decade.
The initial tensions were felt in 1763, after the French and Indian War, as the Crown increased its burden on the colonies to help pay for the conflict, while also imposing other hardships and injustices. Organised resistance grew. By April 1775, the relationship between the American colonies and Britain had reached breaking point. On one side were the Whigs or Patriots – colonists who supported the American Revolution, making up roughly 40% of the population. On the other were the Loyalists, Tories, Royalists or King’s Men – colonists loyal to the British Crown, accounting for another 20%. The rest of the population were relatively ambivalent.
With war in the air, the colonists raised local militias, known as Minutemen. In Boston, Dr Joseph Warren, a 33-year-old physician, coordinated local Patriot activity, while Paul Revere, a 41-year-old silversmith, helped gather intelligence.
