Popular sovereignty refers to the idea that ultimate political authority rests with the people, who establish governments through their consent. In the late 18th century, this principle was developed in the United States as a response to earlier debates over sovereignty, placing authority outside and above governmental institutions. It was reflected in written constitutions and in practices such as ratifying conventions, which grounded government in popular consent.

Republicanism refers to a political ideology that emphasizes representative government without a monarchy and the importance of civic virtue among citizens. In The American Revolution, it is described as a central ideology linking political independence to ideals of virtue, equality, and public responsibility. It held that a republic depended on a virtuous people composed largely of independent property-holders who were expected to place the common good above private interests.

The Stamp Act of 1765 was Parliament’s first direct, internal tax on the American colonies, requiring that a stamp be affixed to nearly every form of paper, including legal documents, newspapers, and almanacs. Its passage provoked widespread resistance across the colonies, including political protest and organized opposition. Colonial leaders argued that taxation required consent, which they believed was violated by Parliament’s authority. Although the act was repealed, it was followed by the Declaratory Act, which asserted Parliament’s continued authority over the colonies.

The Townshend Duties of 1767 were a series of customs taxes on imported glass, paint, paper, and tea. Unlike earlier trade regulations, the revenue from these duties was specifically intended to pay the salaries of royal officials in the colonies, thereby making them independent of the colonial assemblies. The duties renewed colonial resistance and led to nonimportation agreements against British goods. Most of the duties were later repealed, but the tax on tea was retained to assert Parliament’s authority.