The central issue in the American War of Independence was the colonists' desire for independence from British rule, driven by grievances over taxation without representation, restrictive trade policies, and a lack of political rights. The colonists felt their rights as English subjects were being violated, particularly with measures like the Stamp Act and the Intolerable Acts. The conflict culminated in the Declaration of Independence in 1776, which expressed the colonies' intention to break free from British control. This struggle for self-governance and personal freedoms ultimately led to the formation of the United States.