| The Colonists Fight for Their Independence |
| Many American leaders were tired of England\'s laws and taxes. They wanted to have their own government. Thomas Jefferson was a young colonist. He had good ideas about America. He had ideas about how it should be governed. The American leaders asked Jefferson to write a public letter to the king. The letter would tell the king that the colonies were forming a new country. The colonies were no longer a part of England. In the summer of 1776, Thomas Jefferson wrote the Declaration of Independence. Fifty-six American leaders signed it. Then they sent it to King George III. Soon the new nation was at war with England. General George Washington was named as the leader of the American army. In 1777, the army lost two big battles. Washington led his soldiers to Valley Forge, Pennsylvania. The soldiers would rest there for the winter. The winter of 1777 was cold and snowy, and the soldiers were tired and hungry. Many were sick. Their clothing had become rags. Some soldiers did not have shoes. General Washington ordered his men to build huts. The huts would keep them warm. He asked the government to send food and clothing for the men. He taught his men better ways to fight as soldiers. The winter was very hard. Many soldiers died. Some soldiers went home tottheir farms. But many soldiers stayed in camp. By spring they were ready to fight again. They were a better army. |