The ideological foundation for the American Revolution against British rule rested on Enlightenment principles, particularly those advocating for individual liberties, social contracts, and governmental accountability. Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke argued that individuals possess inalienable rights, such as life, liberty, and property, and that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed. Colonists believed that British taxation without representation violated these rights, leading to growing discontent. The rallying cry for independence emphasized natural rights and the necessity of overthrowing any government that fails to protect those rights, which ultimately fueled revolutionary sentiments and the push for independence.