American Revolution

The American Revolution (1775–1783) was the political upheaval in which thirteen British colonies in North America declared independence and defeated the British Empire to form the United States. Inspired by Enlightenment philosophy — particularly the ideas of John Locke — the Declaration of Independence (1776) proclaimed that all men are created equal and possess inalienable rights. The US Constitution (1787) and Bill of Rights (1791) created the first modern constitutional republic — a template for democratic governance worldwide. The Revolution proved that ordinary people could overthrow established authority and govern themselves, inspiring revolutions in France, Latin America, and beyond.