The conflict that involved the British Empire and the Thirteen Colonies is known as the American Revolutionary War, which lasted from 1775 to 1783. Tensions had been rising due to taxation without representation, restrictive trade policies, and British military presence. Key events such as the Boston Tea Party and the Battles of Lexington and Concord ignited the conflict, ultimately leading to the colonies declaring independence in 1776. The war concluded with the Treaty of Paris in 1783, recognizing the sovereignty of the United States and significantly altering the balance of power in North America, inspiring other nations toward independence.