Why did the Colonies want to declare independence?

Answer 1

American Patriots recognized the excessive taxes that were being added to shipments from England. Without having a representative in Parlaiment they were unable to prevent further issues. Considering how long it took for communication to reach the New World and send a message in reply was just one more concern when governmental issues came up that needed resolved immediately. These are the two that strike me as priority concerns.

Answer 2

There are multiple reasons why the colonies wanted to declare independence:

1. The colonies felt oppressed by Great Britain because they were taxed without actual people from the colonies represented in Parliament

2. Britain felt that the colonies were responsible for the French and Indian War that severely depleted British resources, so Britain raised taxes and heavily enforced the Navigation acts through George Grenville

3. Britain issued the Proclamation of 1763 which did not allow colonists to expand westward which really annoyed colonists that wanted more land

4. So after Britain issued the certain taxes like The sugar act (1764) and stamp act and townshend acts; people really wanted independence

*It is important to note that not all colonists wanted independence. There was still about 500,000 whigs that were loyal to the British crown.

It can be argued that the Revolutionary War was precipitated by leaders in society such as Ben Franklin, George Washington, Samuel Adams, John Adams, and many more.