Which war was fought to gain independence for the American colonies?

The American Revolutionary War was fought from 1775 to 1783 and was primarily a conflict between the thirteen American colonies and Great Britain. The war stemmed from growing tensions over British taxation and governance without representation in Parliament, which the colonists found unacceptable. The key aim of this war was to achieve independence from British rule and to establish a separate, sovereign nation.

The success of the American Revolutionary War resulted in the Treaty of Paris in 1783, where Great Britain recognized the independence of the United States. This not only marked the birth of the new nation but also set forth principles of self-governance and liberty that would influence future democratic movements worldwide.

The other wars listed do not pertain to the independence of the American colonies. The Civil War was fought over issues including slavery and states' rights, while the War of 1812 involved conflicts between the United States and Britain but occurred long after independence was achieved. The French and Indian War, fought before the Revolution, set the stage for colonial dissatisfaction with British policies but was not a struggle for independence in itself. Thus, the American Revolutionary War is the definitive conflict that secured independence for the American colonies.