Final answer:
The American colonists believed they were entitled to certain rights that the British were violating, such as taxation without representation. They expected to be treated with the same rights and privileges as those in England. The colonists were influenced by the idea of popular sovereignty from the Magna Carta and the British Bill of Rights.
Step-by-step explanation:
The American people believed they were entitled to certain rights that the British were violating due to several factors. Firstly, the American colonists were proud to be British citizens and expected to be treated with the same rights and privileges as those in England. Secondly, the colonists felt that their rights as British citizens were being violated by the British government through acts such as taxation without representation.
Thirdly, the colonists were influenced by the ideas of popular sovereignty, which suggested that the people, through their elected representatives, should have a say in decisions that affected their lives. This principle of popular sovereignty was derived from the Magna Carta and the British Bill of Rights.