Final answer:
The colonists were propelled towards the American Revolution primarily by the desire for autonomy and resistance to British control, driven by economic, political, and ideological disputes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Of the many factors that directed the colonists towards the American Revolution, the quest for autonomy and resistance to British control were the most influential. The Revolution was not just the result of a love for liberty but was a complex amalgamation of economic, political, and ideological disputes. The British efforts to assert stronger control by enforcing trade restrictions, imposing taxes, and restraining westward expansion spurred the colonists to resist, seeking economic freedom and the right to self-governance equally enjoyed by their contemporaries in Britain. The growing discontent converged with rebellious acts and popular protests eventually leading to revolution. Furthermore, the ideology of natural rights and popular sovereignty, although imperfectly applied, played a critical role in uniting diverse groups against a common enemy, culminating in the signing of the Declaration of Independence and formation of a new nation