The American Revolution was triggered in the 18th century by a series of events that fueled colonial discontent against British rule. Key grievances included taxation without representation, exemplified by the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, which imposed taxes on everyday items. The Boston Tea Party in 1773, a protest against British tea taxes, escalated tensions, leading to the Intolerable Acts that further restricted colonial autonomy. These measures united the colonies in their resistance, culminating in the Continental Congress and the eventual declaration of independence in 1776, marking the beginning of the revolutionary conflict.