The English colonies in North America experienced a fast development during the eighteenth century. An unremitting stream of European immigrants provided economic growth and caused a widening political and cultural gap with the old country. The British view that the colonies' only purpose was to provide raw materials for the homeland and to pay taxes met with increasing opposition from the colonists. However, this resistance resulted in even more oppression by the British crown.
After a series of incidents, in 1776 it came to an exchange of fire between armed colonists and the British army. The shots that were fired at Concord and Lexington 'resounded throughout the world'. They heralded the American independence that was declared on July 4, 1776 by a number of prominent colonists (the Founding Fathers). Six years of war were to follow before the British gave up the fight.

Read more about the relationship between the Netherlands and America during this period

For a number of reasons, the Dutch States General tried to remain neutral in the conflict between the rebellious American colonies and Great Britain. War with Great Britain was to be avoided because the British fleet was stronger than the fleet of the Dutch Republic. Dutch merchants also had a vested interest in avoiding a conflict with the British. As long as the Netherlands remained neutral, Dutch merchants could deliver goods to the American rebels on a large scale. Dutch gunpowder, arms and other goods were shipped to the rebellious provinces, mostly by way of the island of St. Eustatius.  
Stadholder William V was connected by family ties to the British royal house and therefore took the British side. However, the same did not hold for the groups of citizens who called themselves Patriots and who wanted to put an end to stadholder's power. They regarded the events in America as a shining example.