The 250th anniversary of the War of Independence was celebrated in the United States on Saturday with fireworks, concerts and a shower of flowers from military aircraft.

US President Donald Trump claimed that the American dream has returned in his Independence Day address in Washington, DC. He also claimed that America's golden age has begun.

The program in Washington started a little late after people were delayed in gathering due to lightning. The program was organized at a time when many states in the eastern United States are affected by a heat wave.

President Trump has also been accused of using the Independence Day program for political gain.

Every year, people gather on July 4th in memory of the War of Independence and celebrate happily. This time, as the 250th anniversary falls, the United States is organizing various programs throughout the year. 

The American War of Independence, which began in 1776, was the greatest resistance against the colonial and imperialist era.

Leaders such as George Washington, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams led this struggle. After this, many colonies gradually declared themselves independent.

The US Constitution is the oldest written constitution in the world. This liberal constitution covers issues such as federalism, human rights, democracy, and individual freedom.

Various colonial powers ruled different parts of America from the 15th to the 18th centuries.

By the 18th century, Britain was the largest colonial power. From 1756 to 1763, it invaded and occupied territories under French control. This 7-year war paved the way for the American War of Independence. Because, after losing this war, France wanted to take revenge for being forced to hand over its territory to Britain.

On the other hand, although it had to fight both France and Britain before, with the withdrawal of France, the Americans had to fight against a single power. The third important issue was that Britain had lost a huge amount of money while fighting France.

He planned to collect that money from the American people. Which encouraged the Americans to fight against the British colonies. On the other hand, during the war, some Americans fought for France and some for Britain. Therefore, they also got the opportunity to learn modern warfare.

In the 1760s, British Prime Minister George Grenville implemented the Sugar Act of 1764, the Stamp Act of 1765, the Quartering Act, etc. with the aim of collecting taxes from the American colonies.

According to the Stamp Act, only the seal affixed by the British government was considered an official document. Britain had made such a strict policy to prevent goods from being smuggled into America from France and other places.

The Americans opposed this. They said that they would not pay taxes until Americans were represented in the British Parliament.

‘No Taxes Without Representation’ was a popular slogan at the time. Ignoring this opposition, in 1767, British Minister George Townsend imposed a new tax on glass, paper, tea, paint, oil, etc. exported to America. It was called the Townsend Act. In protest, the Americans boycotted the British trade. As a result, Britain had to bear a huge loss.

Britain had sent two troops to Boston to stop illegal smuggling. On March 5, 1770, five Americans were killed by British gunfire. This is called the Boston Massacre. After this, the anger of the Americans was at its peak.

Lord North, who became Prime Minister in 1771, announced the ‘Tea Policy’ in 1773 with the aim of getting the East India Company out of financial crisis.

This policy provided the East India Company with duty-free tea. According to which, the company bought tea from China at a low price and brought it to England, and then sold it to America.

It aimed to reduce the losses of the East India Company, discourage smuggling from countries including France to America, and appease the Americans by selling cheap tea. But even though the tax on tea was reduced, the tax on other goods was increased. That is why the Americans were not happy.

On December 16, 1773, freedom fighters led by Samuel Adams boarded an East India Company ship loaded with tea in the Boston harbor. They threw 340 chests of tea into the sea.

After this, Britain enacted more stringent laws. The port of Boston was completely closed, the self-government previously granted to the Massachusetts colony was taken away, and those involved in the incident in Boston harbor were prosecuted.

These laws made by the British government were strongly opposed in America. Americans stopped drinking tea and started drinking coffee. From time to time, tea drinkers were considered loyal to the British king and coffee drinkers were considered American patriots.

In a letter written by the famous American leader John Adams to his wife, it is mentioned, 'I must give up tea and get used to drinking coffee, it is necessary for the country.'

The 12 colonies of America convened a convention in Philadelphia on September 8, 1775. Representatives from New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina attended the convention.

The Oliver Branch Memorandum issued by the convention was sent to King George III. The letter demanded the restoration of all rights to the colonies. Otherwise, there was a warning that all American goods would be boycotted. However, King George III refused to even look at it.

Instead, he issued the Proclamation of Rebellion, declaring all the colonies that rebelled as traitors. He also announced severe punishments.

Representatives of 13 colonies participated in the Philadelphia Convention on July 4, 1776 as a protest. This time Georgia also participated. This gathering declared America independent.

France, which had lost its American colonies to Britain a few years earlier, also indirectly supported the war in order to take revenge. France provided weapons.

George Washington was declared commander-in-chief of the Revolutionary War. Britain sent 45,000 soldiers to suppress the rebellion. After that, it was very difficult for the rebels.

After this situation, France recognized the American Revolutionary War on February 6, 1778 and sent French troops to defend America.

After the entry of France, things became easier for the Americans. Before France, Spain had also lost its American colonies due to its defeat by Britain. That is why he also stood on the side of independence. Not only America, but France and Spain also attacked other colonies of Britain. After the all-out attack, the British army became desperate.

Britain became weaker in America due to the division of its military power. On October 19, 1781, Lord Cornwallis surrendered at the Battle of Yorktown.

Then, an attempt was made to resolve the issue of independence through negotiations. But Britain proposed to give America the right to self-government by keeping its own subjects.

This started the war again. And, Britain lost the war again. As a result, on September 3, 1783, Britain made an agreement with France, Spain, and America and accepted the independence of America.

On September 17, 1787, a new constitution was formed in America. This was the world's first written constitution. On April 30, 1789, George Washington became the first President of the United States. At a time when colonial powers such as Britain and France were ruling large parts of the world, the United States was the largest and most powerful democratic power.

The states under this were given the right to interpret non-specific, that is, rights not provided for in the constitution. In the United States, most of the remaining rights, except for the army, currency, and foreign policy, remain with the states.

Gradually, other colonies on the North American continent also showed their desire to live under the flag of the United States. Over time, North American states such as Ohio, Florida, Illinois, and Texas abandoned their colonies and came under the American flag.

America began to prosper in a short period of independence. A large number of Europeans immigrated here in the 19th century due to increasing industrialization and employment opportunities, the availability of cheap or free land, and religious and political freedom.

European political and economic thinking began to enter America. This gradually strengthened the expansionist view.

The events of Alaska and Hawaii clearly show how quickly America had changed.

In 1867, America was widely criticized when it bought Alaska from Russia. Because the people prioritized prosperity and development over land expansion.

In 1893, America did not face much public opposition when it removed the king of the Hawaiian Kingdom and occupied the territory four years later.

In the 20th century, America had become a rising power in the world. After this, it also began to interfere in the internal politics of Latin America.

After the First and Second World Wars, America became dominant.

In these world wars, European countries were caught in the crossfire. While America suffered little damage . That is why, after World War II, America became the world's superpower .

During this period, Europe's best scientists, intellectuals, and wealthy people flocked to America to escape the horrors of war and seek new opportunities. They played a decisive role in expanding America's global dominance . 

American society, which had a strong belief in making its own nation prosperous and not interfering in foreign affairs, had changed very quickly . 

After World War II, America rebuilt Europe through the Marshall Plan .  This expanded America's economic and political dominance around the world .  America established itself as a financial center . 

America, which once fought against the British Empire's colonies, now emerged as a new 'imperialist' in the world, which began to manipulate world politics in its favor through the dollar and military presence .

Today, America has the image of a superpower as it is a leader in many fields including economy, diplomacy, security, technology. However, its superpower image is not without controversy.

American politicians have been accused of interfering in the political affairs of other countries in the world, causing instability and creating wars. Which is contrary to the anti-colonial and non-interventionist spirit of the American War of Independence.