The central theme of the American Revolution concerning governance was the fight against perceived tyranny and the desire for self-determination. Colonists believed that British rule imposed unjust laws and taxes without their consent, encapsulated in the slogan "no taxation without representation." As they sought independence, the revolution emphasized principles like individual liberty, democratic governance, and the idea that governmental power should derive from the consent of the governed. This struggle not only aimed for political freedom but also influenced the development of republican ideals that shaped the United States' constitution and democratic institutions in the future.