Colonial Wars and Independence
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The American War of Independence
The colonists in North America opposed the British government’s taxation policies and argued: “No taxation without representation”. The British Parliament repealed some of the taxes, but tensions continued to rise and open conflict broke out between the colonists and British forces. In 1776, 13 American colonies declared their independence. Britain’s forces were finally defeated in 1783, and Britain recognised the independence of the American colonies.
War with France
In 1805, the British navy triumphed over the French and Spanish fleets at the Battle of Trafalgar. Admiral Nelson, who commanded the British fleet, was killed in the battle. A further decisive engagement came in 1815 at the Battle of Waterloo, where the British forces, led by the Duke of Wellington, defeated Napoleon Bonaparte, the Emperor of France.
