Caribbean Examinations Council (CXC) Caribbean History Practice Exam 2025 – Complete All-in-One Guide for Exam Success!

The year the United States gained its independence is 1776. This was the year when the Second Continental Congress formally adopted the Declaration of Independence on July 4, marking the colonies' official break from British rule. This pivotal document outlined the fundamental principles of individual rights and government by consent.

The confusion often arises regarding the significance of 1783, which is the year that formally recognized American independence with the signing of the Treaty of Paris. This treaty ended the Revolutionary War and acknowledged the sovereignty of the United States, but the actual declaration of independence occurred in 1776. Therefore, while 1783 reflects the conclusion of the war and the international recognition of independence, the act of declaring that independence took place seven years earlier. Thus, the correct answer to the question about the year the United States gained its independence is indeed 1776.