Question 77: Name one reason why the Americans declared independence from Britain.
Official answers (any one counts)
USCIS accepts any of these answers. If the question asks for more than one, give as many as it asks.
- High taxes
- Taxation without representation
- British soldiers stayed in Americans' houses (boarding, quartering)
- They did not have self-government
- Boston Massacre
- Boston Tea Party (Tea Act)
- Stamp Act
- Sugar Act
- Townshend Acts
- Intolerable (Coercive) Acts
Grandpa explains
They paid British taxes with no voice in the government, kiddo: "taxation without representation."
Careful: these are NOT the answer
These are the common mix-ups. The app uses them as traps so you practice.
- The king closed all churches
- The king made them speak French
- They wanted to join Spain
On the 2008 test this is question 61
If you filed your N-400 before October 20, 2025, you take the 2008 version. Which one is mine?
Why did the colonists fight the British?
- because of high taxes (taxation without representation)
- because the British army stayed in their houses (boarding, quartering)
- because they didn't have self-government
Video lesson on this topic: Colonies and Independence
More questions on this topic
- 78Who wrote the Declaration of Independence? ★
- 79When was the Declaration of Independence adopted?
- 80The American Revolution had many important events. Name one.
- 81There were 13 original states. Name five.
- 82What founding document was written in 1787?
- 83The Federalist Papers supported the passage of the U.S. Constitution. Name one of the writers.
Official sources:
- USCIS · 128 Civics Questions and Answers (2025 version), M-1778 (09/25) ↗ · checked October 6, 2026
The plain explanation is ours; the official answers are USCIS's, word for word.