The main cause of the American Revolution was the growing resentment among the American colonies toward British rule and taxation without representation. Following the French and Indian War, Britain sought to recover debts through various taxes, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, imposing financial burdens on the colonists. This fueled a sense of injustice and disregard for the colonists' rights. Various events, such as the Boston Massacre and the Boston Tea Party, escalated tensions, ultimately leading to the colonies' desire for independence and self-governance, culminating in the Declaration of Independence in 1776.