Britain - The American War of Independence, 1775-83

About this Course

About the Course

In this course, Professor Jeremy Black (University of Exeter) explores Britain’s involvement in the American War of Independence. In the first module, we look at the causes of the American War of Independence, looking in particular at tensions between the Native Americans and the British, and the introduction of the Stamp Act. In the second module, we consider whether the British could have won the American War of Independence. In the third module, we look more closely at the early stages of the war, from 1775-78, before, in the fourth module, switching focus to the last years of the war, from 1781-83. Finally, in the fifth module, we consider the consequences of the American War of Independence for Britain.

About the Lecturer

Professor Jeremy Black is Emeritus Professor of History at the University of Exeter. He is the author of over 180 books, principally but not exclusively on 18th-century British politics and international relations, and has been described as "the most prolific historical scholar of our age". He has also broadened his perspective, both temporally and geographically, and published on the history of the press, cartography, warfare, culture and on the nature and uses of history itself.