Final answer:
The thirteen colonies experienced the most significant movements of independence, culminating in the declaration of independence in 1776 and a decisive victory at Yorktown.
Step-by-step explanation:
The thirteen colonies had the most movements of independence in North America, declaring independence from Great Britain in 1776. These colonies were Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, the province of Massachusetts Bay, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, South Carolina, and Virginia. The culmination of independence efforts was marked by a key event at Yorktown, the Virginia port where British General Cornwallis surrendered to American forces, signaling a decisive victory for the colonies.
Transition to independence was a complex process. The colonies started by dismantling the existing royal authority and then moved towards setting up provincial congresses to govern themselves. They struggled with the challenge to create stable governments that would foster order and independence, a task that was essential for earning international recognition and aid.
The war for independence faced various military and logistic challenges. Notably, major campaigns occurred in the middle colonies like New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania, where populations were divided between Loyalists and Patriots. Despite the hardships, by spring 1776, the publication of Thomas Paine's Common Sense and the prospect of foreign assistance fostered a sufficient shift in sentiment towards independence, which was formally declared on July 4, 1776.