The United States during its formative years, 1760 to 1815

American Independence, National Unity

Brief thematic history of the U.S. from 1760 to 1815

In describing U.S. history from 1760 to 1815, I would have to title it as "The United States: The Formative Years." From the British indifference to her New World colonies, and the War for Independence; to the events before the Civil War, the United States formative years were ones of triumph, struggle and unity.

During 1763, up until 1775, the United States and Britain feuded over 'taxation without representation'. Like a child, the colonies had to break free from the mother country and find themselves and their independence, which they did in 1776 (U.S. History Timeline).

Thomas Payne said in his political pamphlet 'Common Sense' that "There is something exceedingly ridiculous in the composition of monarchy; it first excludes a man from the means of information, yet empowers him to act in cases where the highest judgment is required." Such influences allowed for the United States to find the unity to break-free.

Jefferson drafted up the Declaration of Independence and with that the United States became into it's own and embarked on a journey of self-discovery and growth. With the Land Ordinance in 1785, the colonists of America traversed the vast country to start a new way of life. Pioneer hardships are well documented, as well as the injustices caused against the Native Americans.