The colonists fought the British primarily because they wanted self-government and fairness in how they were governed and taxed, not because they rejected Britain as a country. Key factors included taxation without representation, restrictions on trade and manufacturing, and a growing belief that colonial rights should be recognized and protected.

Core causes

• Taxation and representation: Legislation like the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts imposed taxes without colonists having elected representatives in Parliament, fueling resentment and calls for political rights.

• Trade and economic control: British trade restrictions and monopolies limited colonial economic independence, prompting resistance from merchants and producers who wanted freer markets.

• Self-government and rights: Many colonists believed they had traditional rights as English subjects and desired local governance, assemblies, and consent over laws affecting their lives and property.

• punitive measures and coercion: Acts designed to punish Boston and other colonies (like the Coercive/Intolerable Acts) intensified anger and unified colonial opposition.

Important events that highlighted these causes

• The Stamp Act (1765) and subsequent taxes sparked protests and the slogan “no taxation without representation”.

• The Boston Tea Party (1773) and ensuing Coercive Acts demonstrated colonial resolve to resist perceived tyranny and coercion.

• Local colonial governments and militias began arguing for broader rights and, ultimately, independence as disputes with Parliament persisted.

Perspectives and nuances

• The movement included varying aims: some sought to defend traditional liberties, others to defend economic interests, and some to establish a new political order based on liberty and equality.

• The revolution was not a single monolithic enterprise; different groups (merchants, landowners, common soldiers, reformers) contributed to the push for independence in different ways.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific audience (students, teachers, or a general reader) or provide a concise timeline of the key events from the initial tax protests to Declaration of Independence.