What was the turning point that ultimately led the American colonists to sever their ties and bonds to the British North American Empire?

This is a
somewhat difficult question to answer because the path that led to the American Revolution does
seem to resemble a gradual escalation of tensions over time. The relationship between Britain
and its colonies deteriorated across the 1760s and 1770s, culminating with the Revolution
itself. From that perspective, if by turning point we mean the point in which this trajectory
originates, I think the answer is quite clear: it can be found in the French and Indian War. If,
however, by turning point you mean the point at which revolution became irresistible, that's a
more difficult question to answer.

Ultimately, I'd argue that this
trajectory was shaped by the experience of the French and Indian War. After the war ended, the
British government took a far more active role in administering the colonies. It introduced new
taxation policies in the mid-1760s and began more strongly enforcing British mercantile law. As
tensions rose in the colonies, the British sent troops to North...