The French and Indian War were some events that led the colonists to declare independence from Britain. The British soldiers came over to the colonies(america back then), to fight over the Ohio territory. Well they made the colonist fight with them. This war cost a lot of money. The people in Great Britain wouldn't pay for it because they thought that because it was on our land they had nothing to do with it and shouldn't be taxed. So all the money had to be paid by the colonist. That, in a nutshell is was started the whole thing. Then after that, The British put lots of taxes on the colonists, for sugar, tea, paper, and many other needed items. This lead to the Boston Tea Party. After that happened King George sent over troops and would not let the Boston harbor operate. So the colonist could not get food. They did though, people from all over sent goods and supplies. But king george sent more and more troops over. So eventually the colonist got mad enough that they wouldn't take any more of it and they decided to rid their country of the British soldiers and leaders. So they started a revolution. And that, in a short summary is what started the whole thing.