Final answer:
The direct cause of the American Revolution was being taxed by England without representation. Tensions over internal taxation without colonial representation, particularly the Stamp Act, played a central role in escalating the conflict leading to revolution. Other measures, such as the Sugar and Intolerable Acts, also contributed to the growing discontent among the colonists.
Step-by-step explanation:
A direct cause of the American Revolution was d. being taxed by England without representation. This issue of taxation without representation culminated in a variety of economic, political, and ideological disputes between the colonies and the British government. One of the legislative measures that caused significant strife was the Stamp Act, which was an internal tax imposed by the British Parliament on the colonies. The American colonists strongly opposed the Stamp Act, and their successful protest for its repeal was one of the pivotal moments that fueled the drive for independence. The Stamp Act was part of a larger set of grievances that included the Sugar Act, the Declaratory Act, and the later Intolerable Acts, all of which played a part in escalating tensions. These tensions were exacerbated by a desire among some colonists to expand westward, which clashed with British policies restricting such expansion.
Over time, the American colonists developed their own political identity and sought the same rights as British citizens, particularly the right to tax themselves through their own elected representatives. Unable to accept the notion of virtual representation in the British Parliament, they demanded that any legislature taxing them should include their elected officials. The collective grievances and the growing demand for autonomy eventually led to the drafting of the Declaration of Independence and the fight for liberation from British rule.