Why did the American colonies choose to declare independence?

In the
Declaration of Independence, the Revolution is framed as a revolt against tyranny. In it,
government is understood as contractual in nature, having been originally created for the
purpose of safeguarding natural rights. The revolutionaries accused Britain of having broken
that contract, acting as an oppressive force where the colonies were concerned. On these
grounds, they argued, revolution was a morally justified action.

Moving
beyond the realm of argumentation and discourse, you must understand that the American
Revolution emerged out of a very gradual escalation of tensions which...