When the American colonists declared independence from Britain in 1776, they were inspired by a wide range of factors. Here are some social reasons for you to consider:
- At the time of the revolution, less than two-thirds of the colonial population were English citizens. Since their inception, the colonies had become a melting-pot of people from across Europe and Africa and, slowly, these different cultures and values had blended together to create an American identity - completely separate and distinct from the idea of being British.
- Britain's policy of taxing the colonies in the 1760s was done to assert British authority and to pay off debts as a result of fighting the French and Indian War. But this policy actually had the reverse effect: Americans were extremely angered by the onslaught of new taxes and this helped to create the revolutionary spirit and a strong desire to protect American liberty and freedom.
- The publication of Thomas Paine's pamphlet, Common Sense, in 1776 convinced many Americans to support the idea of independence and to take up arms, if necessary.
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