Observando o sucesso dos antigos colonos ingleses na América, os quais, se sublevando, foram capazes de se tornar independentes dos britânicos, eles queriam fazer a mesma coisa na França.

[theogarver]

English Translation

They noted the revolutionary success of the former English colonists who were able to achieve independence from the British and wanted to do the same thing in France.

I think that the translation is missing key words. Note the words, by rising up, in the Google translation below.
Google Translation
Observing the success of the former English colonists in America, who, by rising up, were able to become independent from the British, they wanted to do the same thing in France.