The American Revolution, which occurred between 1765 and 1789, was a pivotal event that led to the independence of the Thirteen Colonies from British rule. Rooted in Enlightenment principles such as the consent of the governed and liberal democracy, the revolution was sparked by tensions over taxation without representation and the tightening of British control through acts like the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts. These tensions escalated into open conflict in 1775, starting with confrontations at Lexington and Concord, and culminated in the American Revolutionary War, lasting from 1775 to 1783.

The Second Continental Congress declared independence from Britain on July 4, 1776, through the Declaration of Independence, primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson. The war turned into a global conflict when France joined as an ally of the United States after the American victory at the Battle of Saratoga in 1777. Despite several setbacks, a combined American and French force eventually captured British General Charles Cornwallis and his troops at Yorktown in 1781, effectively ending the war. The Treaty of Paris was signed in 1783, formally acknowledging the independence of the United States and granting it significant territorial gains.

The revolution led to profound changes in the newly formed nation. It ended British mercantilist policies in America and opened up global trade opportunities for the United States. The Congress of the Confederation ratified the United States Constitution in 1787, which replaced the weaker Articles of Confederation and established a federal democratic republic, the first of its kind, founded on the consent of the governed. The Bill of Rights was ratified in 1791, enshrining fundamental freedoms and serving as a cornerstone for the new republic. Subsequent amendments expanded these rights, fulfilling the promises and principles that had justified the revolution.