Why did the colonists fight the British?

The reason the colonists fought the British primarily revolves around the concept of "taxation without representation." Leading up to the American Revolutionary War, the British government imposed several taxes on the colonies, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, without giving the colonists any say or representation in the British Parliament. The colonists believed it was unjust to be taxed by a government in which they had no voice, prompting protests and calls for independence.

While religious freedom, territorial disputes, and immigration laws played roles in different contexts, they were not the central catalyst for the colonists' rebellion against British rule. The call for liberty and self-governance, driven by resentment over taxation and lack of representation, unified many colonists in their fight for independence. Thus, the answer highlighting "taxation without representation" encapsulates the core grievance that fueled the desire for American independence.