Large print guide

Map on left of entrance:
Map caption:
The Thirteen Colonies, 1776

The Thirteen Colonies were established by Britain on Indigenous lands from 1607 onwards. They broke away from Britain during the War of Independence to become the United States of America. Both the British and the American Revolutionaries sought support from Indigenous Nations, three of which are highlighted on this map.

Front of central showcase: introduction
Declaring independence: USA 250

On 4 July 1776, 250 years ago, thirteen colonies on the Atlantic Coast of North America adopted the Declaration of Independence. They broke away from the British Crown to become the United States of America.

The American War of Independence (1775–83) was fought between the Thirteen Colonies and Britain, with the involvement of Indigenous Nations on both sides. Treaties and alliances made during the conflict were often marked with the exchange of gifts, like those displayed here.

Object below:
The Washington Peace Medal

This medal was a gift from the American Revolutionaries to the Wabanaki Confederacy, a group of five Indigenous Nations, to mark a Treaty of Friendship. It is engraved with a portrait of George Washington, then commander of the Continental Army, and later the first president of the USA.

The medal's other side shows a classical column surrounded by thirteen hands, representing the Thirteen Colonies. A Native North American figure symbolises 'America' and reflects the importance of alliances with Indigenous Nations.

Silver, 1777
Made by Paul Revere in Boston, Massachusetts
Given by American Revolutionaries to the Wabanaki Confederacy at a meeting in Maine, 1777, then confiscated by the British as part of an enforced treaty and given to King George III. Donated by King George IV to the British Museum in 1825.
G3,IP.1111

Walking clockwise around the central showcase:
Indigenous alliances

The American War of Independence (1775–83) was fought on Indigenous lands. Both the British and the Revolutionaries sought support from Indigenous Nations, like the Wabanaki Confederacy. Indigenous Peoples negotiated alliances seeking to protect their communities, homelands and sovereignty.

Agreements involved the use and exchange of objects of diplomacy between leaders, including peace medals, pipe tomahawks and wampum belts.

Object below:
Wampum belt

Wampum belts are a visual record of words spoken over them. This belt was given in 1712 by the Lenape (Delaware) to the Haudenosaunee at a council granting them access to Lenape lands.

Its design records the words 'that when they arrive, they would fully hear and understand them, and that they may have liberty to pass and re-pass in all places.'

Today, wampum belts continue to shape negotiations between Indigenous Nations and other parties.

Whelk and quahog shells woven on (possibly beaver) hide, about 1600–1712
Made in Northeastern USA by a Lenape maker currently unknown to the British Museum
Am1931,-.12

Image caption:

This print shows a peace agreement being made over a wampum belt between Lenape and Shawnee Nations and British army officer Henry Bouquet in 1764.

Charles Grignion, The Indians giving a talk to Colonel Bouquet in a conference at a council fire.
Etching and engraving after Benjamin West, 1766
© Trustees of the British Museum

Back of the display
American Revolutionaries

A year into the American War of Independence, on 4 July 1776, delegates from the Thirteen Colonies joined as the Second Continental Congress and adopted the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration outlined the reasons for breaking away from Britain, such as unfair taxation and a lack of representation in the British Parliament. Its signing marks the founding of the USA.

Object below:
The Declaration of Independence

Only two ceremonial handwritten parchment copies of the Declaration survive. The copy signed by the delegates to the Continental Congress in 1776 is on display in the National Archives in Washington D.C. The other copy is housed at the West Sussex Record Office, in Chichester.

Its full significance was only discovered in 2015 following scientific analysis. See it on display here at the British Museum from September 2026.

Iron gall ink on sheepskin parchment, 1780s or later
Reproduced with the permission of West Sussex Record Office

The Declaration notably states:
'We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.'

Image caption:

One of numerous contemporary satires ridiculing King George III for the loss of the Thirteen Colonies.

Anonymous, The horse America, throwing his master.
Etching, 1779.
© The Trustees of the British Museum

Final side of the display:
Britain

Throughout the War of Independence, Britain used both diplomacy and force to maintain alliances with different Indigenous Nations. The pipe tomahawk displayed here was a diplomatic gift to thank Mohawk leader, Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant), for allying the Mohawk with the British. Gifted almost two decades after the end of the War, it demonstrates the enduring legacy of alliances formed during the conflict.

Object below:
Thayendanegea's pipe tomahawk

Pipe tomahawks cleverly combine Native North American ceremonial smoking pipes with European metalwork and weaponry. In the 1700s they became highly sought-after gifts from colonial officials to Indigenous leaders.

The inscription on the silver plaque on the pipe tomahawk reads, 'Given to my friend Joseph Brant from the Duke of Northumberland 1805'.

Wood, metal, silver, about 1800
Likely made in England
Am1981,17.1

Image caption:

Thayendanegea's dress reflects both his Indigenous heritage and his relationship with the British. He is holding a pipe tomahawk, and the silver plate around his neck was a gift from King George III.

George Romney, Thayendanegea (Joseph Brant), 1776.
Transfer from the Canadian War Memorials, 1921.
Oil on canvas.
© National Gallery of Canada

Wall to the left as you exit:
Find out more

Related galleries
Visit the North America Gallery (Room 26) to see historical and contemporary cultural belongings from Indigenous Nations across North America, including other pipe tomahawks and wampum belts, and a map panel showing over 1,200 named Indigenous Nations. To see more medals, visit Europe 1400–1800 (Room 46), the Enlightenment Gallery (Room 1), and Collecting the World (Room 2).

Events
Explore the themes of the display through related events. For the programme, visit: britishmuseum.org

Acknowledgements
Supported by Bank of America

We are grateful for the generous insights provided by Mohawk, Lenape and wider Indigenous community knowledge-bearers.

The Trustees of the British Museum wish to thank the West Sussex Record Office for the loan of the Declaration of Independence, and for their support in the creation of the display.

The Museum also wishes to thank the US Ambassador and Embassy of the United States of America for their assistance in making this display possible.

This display has been made possible as a result of the Government Indemnity Scheme. The British Museum would like to thank HM Government for providing Government Indemnity and the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and Arts Council England for arranging the indemnity.

The Declaration of Independence is reproduced with the permission of West Sussex Record Office. 

As part of the Museum's efforts to lessen its environmental impact, materials, fittings and equipment are reused where possible. The Museum aims to make its exhibitions as sustainable as possible, sharing best practice, resources and the latest innovations with other museums and galleries.

The Museum has endeavoured to obtain consent from the rights holders of all content used in the exhibition. If you have concerns that any content has been used in the display without the rights holder's permission, please contact the Exhibitions Department at [email protected].