Factors Leading to Colonial Rebellion in 1776

In the year 1650, American colonists began to express unrest due to Britain’s tight control over them. After the French and Indian War, ending in 1763, the colonies were outwardly rebelling against the crown. The restriction of civil liberties was an important factor leading to rebellion in the year 1776, however the legacy of colonial ideas and Parliamentary taxation played a more prominent role.
One of the factors contributing to rebellion in 1776 was the restriction of civil liberties. The liberties of the colonies were limited beginning in 1650 with the passage of the Navigation Acts. Britain believed in mercantilism, the idea that a country’s wealth was measured in gold and silver and wealth was power, this put a damper on the economy of the colonies. The colonies were only to trade with Britain and any colonist thought to be smuggling was guilty until proven innocent. This injustice infringed on the basic liberty of innocent until proven guilty. Years later, Britain passed t...