《新概念英语》青少版第四册第11课:Television Day

Revision Lesson 11 Television Day:The American War of Independence
复习课 11 电视日:美国独立战争

The American colonists often quarrelled with the British Government
美洲的殖民地居民常与英国政府争吵

They had to buy British goods
他们必须购买英国货

and they had to pay taxes to Britain.
又必须向英国纳税

In 1767 Britain put customs duty on many goods such as tea.
1767年,英国对许多货物征收关税,例如茶叶

The Government should have known this would cause trouble.
英国政府早该知道这会引起麻烦

In 1773,
1773年

some Americans dressed as Red Indians went on to some British ships in Boston
一些化装成北美印第安人的美国人登上停靠在波士顿的几艘英国船

and threw &18,000 worth of tea into the sea.
把价值18000英镑的茶叶倒入海里

This was the famous "Boston Tea Party".
这就是著名的"波士顿茶叶案"

The British Government closed the port of Boston.
英国政府封闭了波士顿港

Then the colonists got ready for war
随即殖民地居民作好了战争的准备

and George Washington became the commander of their army.
乔治.华盛顿成了这支军队的指挥官

During the war,
战争期间

on 4th July 1776,
于1776年7月4日

the American Congress drew up the Declaration of Independence.
美国国会草拟了独立宣言

Later,In 1778,
后来在1778年

France joined the war against Britain and so did Spain in 1779.
法国加入了反英战争.1779年西班牙也参战

The British fleet surrendered in 1781
英国舰队于1781年投降

and the Government did not continue the war.
英国政府中止了战争

It had to recognize the independence of the new United States of America.
它不得不承认新的美利坚合众国的独立

In 1789 George Washington became the first president of the country.
1789年乔治.华盛顿就任该国的第一任总统