The American Revolution was a political upheaval in the 18th century when the thirteen colonies of North America broke away from British rule and formed an independent nation, the United States of America. It was a result of growing tensions between the colonists and the British government over issues such as taxation, representation, and governance. The colonists believed that they should have the same rights as British citizens and that their interests were not being adequately represented in the British government. They rebelled against British authority, leading to armed conflict, and ultimately won their independence after the signing of the Treaty of Paris in 1783