<Li> Northern (after Saratoga) </Li> <P> The American Revolutionary War (1775--1783), also known as the American War of Independence, was a global war that began as a conflict between Great Britain and its Thirteen Colonies which declared independence as the United States of America . </P> <P> After 1765, growing philosophical and political differences strained the relationship between Great Britain and its colonies . Patriot protests against taxation without representation followed the Stamp Act and escalated into boycotts, which culminated in 1773 with the Sons of Liberty destroying a shipment of tea in Boston Harbor . Britain responded by closing Boston Harbor and passing a series of punitive measures against Massachusetts Bay Colony . Massachusetts colonists responded with the Suffolk Resolves, and they established a shadow government which wrested control of the countryside from the Crown . Twelve colonies formed a Continental Congress to coordinate their resistance, establishing committees and conventions that effectively seized power . </P> <P> British attempts to disarm the Massachusetts militia at Concord in April 1775 led to open combat . Militia forces then besieged Boston, forcing a British evacuation in March 1776, and Congress appointed George Washington to command the Continental Army . Concurrently, an American attempt to invade Quebec and raise rebellion against the British failed decisively . On July 2, 1776, the Continental Congress voted for independence, issuing its declaration on July 4 . Sir William Howe launched a British counter-offensive, capturing New York City and leaving American morale at a low ebb . However, victories at Trenton and Princeton restored American confidence . In 1777, the British launched an invasion from Quebec under John Burgoyne, intending to isolate the New England Colonies . Instead of assisting this effort, Howe took his army on a separate campaign against Philadelphia, and Burgoyne was decisively defeated at Saratoga in October 1777 . </P>

Why did the thirteen colonies fight a war for independence from britain
find me the text answering this question