Which event sparked the American Revolution?

The imposition of taxes without representation was a central grievance that sparked the American Revolution. Colonists in America were frustrated by the British government's decision to levy taxes on them without granting them any representation in the British Parliament. This situation created a sense of injustice and fueled the desire for independence. The slogan "No taxation without representation" became a rallying cry, crystallizing the colonists' frustrations and their increasing demands for political rights and autonomy.

While events like the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre were significant and escalated tensions, they were reactions to the broader issue of taxation and representation. The signing of the Declaration of Independence, on the other hand, was a formal assertion of independence that occurred later as a result of the colonial resistance to British policies. Without the initial issue of tax imposition, these subsequent events may not have unfolded in the same way, making the lack of representation the foundational spark for the revolution.