Why did we declare independence from Great Britain in 1776?

Question

Explain why the colonists declared independence from Great Britain.

Answer 1

The colonies had grown used to alot of self government from England and then policy changes were made towards the colonies. These included higher taxes and the like to pay off the debt of the French and Indian War and protection of the colonies. Soldiers were to be housed in private homes at the homeowners expense for having a standing army close by if needed. Although with the French defeated and with Spain posing no real threat to the south of the colonies the taxes and the home garrisoned military seemed unfair in the colonists minds. Roughly one-third of the colonies supported the revolution, one-third wanted to stay a colony, and one-third cared less either way...kind of like America today. Anyway the supporters of the revolution were more keen on the idea of self government more than anything else, the higher taxes and such were just the final straw. They were allowed no seats in the British parliment and had no voice in the monies that were taken from them, nor on how or where those monies were to be spent...similiar to today as well...rather ironic huh. The idea of one voice, one vote meant more to the colonists than it does today. People actually got involved in their communties then...it was part of survivng and aided in knowing what was going on in the world. Even with the new taxes on the American colonies at that time they were still the least taxed of any of the empire's colonies throughout the world...even then the young Americans wanted their cake and to eat it as well.

Answer 2

Primarily because of the crippling taxes levied against all goods and services of The Empire. The colonista were sick of King George(and Parlement) imposing ever inceasing taxes on an already overtaxed colony and,understandably,they were sick of it.But there are other socio-economic reasons for wanting to sever ties with England,including the right to their own provinence,which the landowners had been grumbling about long before indepenence was officially declared and even then,it was not greeted with over-all acceptance. There were a great number(mostly upper-class colonists) who not only wanted nothing to do with the revolution,but activly took steps to try and thwart the enterprise at every turn.

Answer 3

I believe some of it was for the same reason children move away from home and lead their own lives. Nobody wants to have mom and dad telling them how to live their lives but just like mom and dad, England didn't want to let go.

Answer 4

Ummm because Britain was being greedy and wanted taxes from a colony three thousand miles away.

Answer 5

To avoid having to learn how to play Cricket (Ha! Ha!)

Answer 6

because we are sexy