They were complaining about different acts that the British put on the colonies, as well as taxation without representation.
There were many acts including:
Sugar act(1764): placed taxes on foreign sugar and many foreign luxuries.
Quartering act(1765. Later expanded during intolerable acts): required colonists to provide food and living quarters to British troops
Stamp act: required a stamp to be placed on most paper products, including books and newspapers. This was a form of taxation.
What finally led to the revolutionary war were 4 acts known as the intolerable acts. These were as follows: The port act- closing of the Boston port, prohibiting trade until the tea (from Boston tea party) was paid for.
The Massachusetts government act- reduced power of Massachusetts legislature and increased power of royal governor
Administration justice act- allowed royal officials in the colonies accused of crimes to be brought to Britain for trial
Quartering act expansion- allowed British troops to live in private homes.
