The Proclamation of Rebellion was issued by King George III of Great Britain on August 23, 1775, in response to the escalating conflict between the American colonies and the British government. It declared the American colonies in a state of rebellion against the Crown and called for the suppression of the insurrection.
This proclamation did not constitute a declaration of war against the colonists but rather served to formally recognize the conflict that had begun with events such as the Battles of Lexington and Concord. It sought to frame the colonists' actions as treasonous and justified the British government's use of military force against them.
In contrast to the options provided:
- Appointment of Washington to the Continental Army - This occurred in June 1775.
- Other countries joining the colonists' fight - This happened later in the Revolutionary War, notably after the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
- Declaration of war against the colonists - While the proclamation recognized the rebellion, it is not a formal declaration of war.
- The end of the Revolutionary War - This occurred in 1783.
Thus, the Proclamation of Rebellion was primarily a British declaration that marked the official start of hostilities in the conflict between the colonies and Great Britain.