In a larger sense the tax issue was part of the representation question, which was increasingly defined by Americans as an issue of republicanism. The commitment of most Americans to republican values caused the Revolution, for Britain was increasingly seen as corrupt and hostile to republicanism, and a threat to the established liberties that Americans enjoyed.<ref> Bernard Bailyn, '' The Ideological Origins of the American Revolution'' (1967)</ref> The greatest threat to liberty was increasingly seen as "corruption"--not just in London but at home as well. The colonists associated it with luxury, Royal appointees not answerable to the people, a standing army, unnecessary taxes, and, ultimately, an system of rule by an inherited aristocracy.
The revolution occurred in the hearts and minds of Americans in 1774-1776 as they realized that continued subservience to the British Empire was incompatible with republicanism. The Loyalists were willing to be ruled by a distant aristocracy, the patriots were not. The patriots formed groups like the [[Sons of Liberty]] to meet together and further their cause.
The [[Seven Years War]] ended in British victory in 1763, and there were no foreign threats to the American colonies, nor any serious Indian threats. London wanted stifling controls on the colonial economy and on westward expansion. They insisted that the colonists new taxes, but refused to allow representation in Parliament. Britain was not asking the Americans to share the burden of warfare--they never asked the colonial legislatures for that. Instead they insisted that Parliament had every right to tax the colonists whether they liked it or not. Power was the issue. Ominously London sent thousands of regular army troops--was this to protect the colonists from nonexistent threats, or to protect the Royal officials from the anger of the people?<ref> "Regular" means full-time, long-term soldiers, either British or Hessian (German) or American (the latter known as Continentals.) Contrast with "militia", who were temporary citizen-soldiers, commanded by state officers. After a battle the militia went home, and the regulars stayed in camp.</ref>