Final answer:
The American Revolution stemmed from several causes, such as unfair taxation, restrictions on freedoms, and military actions by the British. It led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence, which called for the colonies' break from Britain and laid out principles of American government. Influential political thoughts, including natural rights and the concept of government by the people's consent, formed the foundation for independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
Causes, Conflicts, and Consequences of the American Revolution
The American Revolution was sparked by a multitude of causes including taxation without representation, the restriction of colonial liberties, and the imposition of British military measures. The conflicts were both ideological, in terms of differing visions of governance, and physical, as colonies took up arms against British soldiers. The consequences were profound, leading to the independence of the United States and the establishment of a republic based on the principle of the consent of the governed. This was exemplified in the Declaration of Independence, drafted mainly by Thomas Jefferson, which enumerated the colonies' grievances against the British Crown and set forth the philosophical foundation for a new and independent nation.
Among the core tenets of American political thought that influenced the decision to declare independence were the ideas of natural rights, social contract theory, and the conviction that government power derives from the people. These ideas are apparent in the Declaration of Independence, where Jefferson articulated why the colonies felt compelled to break away from British rule. The Continental Congress met in the summer of 1776 to finalize this process of separation, which began a new era in American history, marked by the creation of a central government once the war was underway and the evolution of an independent American republic.