Final answer:
By the late 1760s, the 13 American colonies had at least five major cities. These cities were pivotal centers for trade, culture, and the spread of revolutionary ideas which contributed to the colonies' path to independence. The struggle for autonomy culminated in the Revolutionary War, ultimately leading to the declaration of Independence and the establishment of the United States.
Step-by-step explanation:
By the late 1760s, the 13 American colonies had at least five major cities. These cities were key to the economic and political life of the colonies and included Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, and Charleston. They were centers of commerce, culture, and conversation, home to various crafts, and trades, and were instrumental in the dissemination of revolutionary ideas.
The transformation of these colonies into independent states began in earnest after the events of Lexington-Concord in 1775, signaling a shift from British colonial rule to emerging American independence. The citizens of the colonies actively participated in shaping their new governments, demonstrating a strong desire for self-governance and the creation of constitutions that reflected this ethos. These constitutions aimed to ensure order and advocate for the ideals of freedom and independence that were at the heart of the American Revolution.
Despite becoming more 'independent-minded', as described in the historical context, most colonies ultimately gave up their charters to the Crown by 1763, which brought them under more centralized British control. Such measures were among the various contentious issues that increased tensions between the colonies and Great Britain. Ultimately, these tensions led to the American colonies declaring their independence in 1776 and fighting for it in the ensuing Revolutionary War, culminating in British General Cornwallis's surrender at Yorktown.