History: American War of Independence

As General Cornwallis and his British redcoats surrendered to the American colonists at Yorktown on 19th October 1781, British bands played the popular tune ‘The World Turned Upside Down.’ The ideals enshrined within the 1776 Declaration of Independence have served as hope, inspiration – and disappointment - for millions since. But how did such a significant event occur and who were those responsible? Why did France and the native American Indians become actively involved? What happened at Bunker Hill - one of the War’s most famous but least understood battles? Why were Lexington and Concord important? From the War’s first shots at Lexington and Concord to the British surrender at Yorktown, we will explore the most important battles that made the United States… The course also discusses whether Britain could have prevented the breaking away of the colonies. Could Britain have won? Was George III really a tyrannical ruler as the Americans often portrayed him? Beginning with the colonists’ complaints against Britain and the Boston Tea Party, the course traces why the differences proved irreconcilable, the key battles and concludes by asking, how much did the world really ‘turn upside down’ for the British as consequence of the conflict.d