What did liberty mean to the colonies?

Answer 1

Liberty for the American colonies encompassed the desire for self-governance, individual freedoms, and protection from oppressive British rule. It represented the belief in natural rights, including life, liberty, and property, and the pursuit of political and economic autonomy. The colonies sought to escape the constraints of mercantilism and oppressive taxation, ultimately leading to a collective aspiration for independence and the establishment of democratic principles. This quest for liberty was a driving force behind the American Revolution and the creation of a new nation.