The bond of kinship between England and America is severed; host Charles Kuralt.
The Declaration of Independence transforms the 13 colonies into the United States of America.
British forces recruit the help of Hessians and Iroquois; British Gen. Burgoyne surrenders at Saratoga.
In 1778 and 1779 the U.S. Navy grows, and Spain enters the French-American Alliance.
War raises the debts of Britain and the United States; Benedict Arnold, hero of battles at Quebec, Saratoga and Ticonderoga, becomes a traitor.
The war finally comes to a close in October 1781; a peace treaty between England and the United States is signed on September 3, 1783.