Final answer:
The colonists felt their liberties were being infringed upon by British policies and taxes, which led them to seek independence. They had practiced self-government and were influenced by Enlightenment ideas, including the natural rights of individuals, which underscored their resolution to establish a government that would protect their fundamental liberties.
Step-by-step explanation:
Colonial Grievances Leading to Independence
The journey towards independence for the American colonies was complex, with roots spread across ideological, economic, and political spheres. The colonists, considering themselves as British citizens, believed that the English Bill of Rights protected their liberties. When the British government attempted to enforce policies and taxes that the colonists saw as overreach—such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts—these colonists perceived them as violations of their rights. Consequently, they felt justified in their protests and later, in their quest for independence. The colonial assemblies had practiced forms of self-government that emboldened their stance against British interference and helped cement their desire for self-government and the protection of their liberties.
The Enlightenment fueled these beliefs, as ideas of natural rights and popular sovereignty became integrated with colonial ideology. Even though loyalties were divided, and some colonists remained neutral or loyal to Britain, the actions of the British government gradually led to a consensus among many colonists that declaring independence was necessary. They yearned for a government that would guarantee their rights to life, liberty, and property, fearing that any government could potentially infringe upon these rights.