Why did the colonists fight the British?

The colonists fought the British primarily because of high taxes imposed by the British government without fair representation in Parliament. Following events such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, many colonists felt that they were being unfairly taxed and that they should have a say in how they were governed — the rallying cry became "no taxation without representation." This sense of injustice and desire for self-governance fueled anger and ultimately led to the push for independence from British rule.

The other options do not accurately represent the main motivations behind the conflict. Independence from French rule was not a concern for the colonists, as they were primarily battling British authority. The idea of spreading democracy, while appealing, was not the central reason for their rebellion at that time; the quest was more focused on issues of self-governance and rights. Territorial expansion played a role in colonial disputes but was not the primary cause of the revolutionary conflict with Britain. The economic burdens and the principle of fair representation were the driving forces behind the colonists' fight for independence.