1. The Navigation Acts: These laws, enacted in the mid-1600s, restricted trade in the colonies to benefit British merchants. Colonists resented these regulations, which limited their economic opportunities and made goods more expensive.
2. The Dominion of New England: In 1684, the British government created the Dominion of New England, consolidating several colonies under a single governor-general. This move was seen as a threat to the autonomy and self-governance of the individual colonies.
3. Royal Governors and Colonial Assemblies: The appointment of royal governors by the British Crown brought them into direct conflict with colonial assemblies that represented the interests of the colonists. The governors often wielded more authority than the assemblies and could veto legislation.
4. Religious Tensions: Religious differences between the colonies and Britain also contributed to tensions. Many colonies had been founded as havens for religious freedom, and they resented attempts by the Anglican Church in England to impose its practices on them.
5. King James II: The reign of King James II (1685-1688) was particularly challenging for the colonies. James was a Catholic and sought to promote his religion in the colonies, which alarmed Protestant settlers. He also clashed with colonial leaders over governance and taxation, leading to protests and revolts.
6. The Glorious Revolution: In 1688, the English Parliament overthrew King James in the Glorious Revolution. The colonists in America saw this event as an opportunity to assert their rights as British subjects and further reduce the power of the Crown in the colonies.
These factors and events contributed to a growing sense of discontent and conflict between Britain and the American colonies. Over time, these tensions and grievances evolved into demands for greater self-governance and eventually culminated in the American Revolution.