The American Revolution didn’t just take place in an internal context of colonial North America and the British Empire, but really in a transnational context
Internal context:. From about 1650 to 1763, Britain essentially allowed American colonies to run themselves with certain freedom, giving them the privilege to do as they wished. North American settlers developed unique forms of government by establishing representative legislatures and democratic town meetings. They had local juries and trials in which defendants were assumed innocent until proven guilty. American shipping, while technically regulated by the Navigation Act, functioned apart from the British fleet. That freedom gave settlers the idea that they were direct subjects of the British crown, and that they had their own little parliaments, just like England and Scotland and Wales had the Parliament in London. They saw American Colonies as having the same status as the crown with the same privileges and rights.
This freedom finished with Britain imposing unpopular taxes on America and tightened shipping and currency regulations. Colonial settlers could not have their own currency and were ordered to house British troops, they were made to follow restrictive shipping policies, and many of those who failed to comply with the new rules faced a British judge without jury. Americans were appalled and stunned by what they regarded as violations of their rights. In addition, after having fought the war against France for American territory, the British Empire set up a permanent army paid for by colonists’ taxes to prevent them from expanding which infuriated American settlers and contributed to the Revolution. With time, it all turned into indignation, and finally rebellion. In twelve years the colonists changed from offering nightly toasts to King George III to displays of opposition toward the British Crown.
Broad Context:
The British Empire was considered the most tolerant and liberal in those times, however agrarian economies had started to turn into commercial and International trade trends changed making it possible for Britain to impose taxes on goods shipped to and from its colonies. In fact London considered this as a necessary move to ease the pressure on their budget caused by seven years war of 1756-1763.
Spanish and Dutch colonies became belligerent against Britain during those years and this clash of European empires generated a “war beyond America” reaching the West Indies, Africa and India.
Other context
In 1761 political activism by Jesuits upset the monarchy in Spain who confiscated Jesuit properties in its American colonies and expelled the Jesuits boosting rioting in American colonies. In 1768 sugar consumption, which began among the Arabs grows in popularity, and common Europeans became more familiar with sweet taste making demand for sugar elevate its price. In 1769 Spain has asked the Franciscan Order to replace Jesuits in Lower California and are sent to Upper California, to Christianize natives and to block Russian claims to coastal areas.
The American Revolution had consequences, not only for the American settlers but for the rest of the world as well. The Thomas Jefferson–Declaration of Independence was unique presenting a strong case for American rebellion and posting a model for other people's struggling for their own natural rights.
