The colonists were persuaded to risk their lives fighting against Great Britain because they believed it was necessary to secure their rights, and to resist oppressive and unjust policies imposed on them by the British government. The following arguments were particularly influential in convincing the colonists to take up arms:
1. Taxation without Representation: One of the main grievances of the colonists was that they were being taxed by the British Parliament without having any representation in the decision-making process. The colonists argued that they should have the same rights and privileges as British citizens, including the right to vote and elect representatives who would advocate for their interests.
2. The Coercive Acts: In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British Parliament passed a series of laws known as the Coercive Acts, which were intended to punish Massachusetts and its citizens. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the colonists paid for the tea that had been destroyed, and the Massachusetts Government Act, which stripped the colony of its charter and gave the British governor more power. The colonists saw these acts as a violation of their rights and a threat to their self-government.
3. The Declaration of Independence: On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress adopted the Declaration of Independence, which formally declared the colonies' independence from Great Britain. The Declaration articulated the colonists' grievances and outlined their fundamental principles of government, including the belief that all men are created equal and that governments derive their power from the consent of the governed. The Declaration of Independence inspired and united the colonists in their fight for freedom.
4. Support from France and Spain: The colonists also received crucial support from France and Spain, who saw an opportunity to weaken their common enemy, Great Britain. France provided financial assistance, military supplies, and even troops to fight alongside the colonists. Spain provided logistical support and helped open a second front against the British in the South.
In summary, the colonists risked their lives fighting against Great Britain because they believed it was necessary to secure their rights, resist unjust policies, and establish their own independent nation based on the principles of freedom, equality, and self-government. The grievances related to taxation without representation, the Coercive Acts, the Declaration of Independence, and the support from France and Spain were key factors that persuaded the colonists to take up arms and fight for their independence.