The cultural, political, economic and religious backgrounds and beliefs of people in colonial America often helped determine whether they supported or opposed the American Revolution. Massachusetts colonists provide examples of this statement with respect to their support or opposition of the American Revolution.
In terms of religious background and practices, a large portion of the colonists left England to get away from the structure and mandates of the highly powerful Church of England. In the colonies, people were free to practice other than Anglican religions, and the American Revolution represented that all important break from the former mother country. It was natural for those seeking religious freedom to support a war that would establish an independent presence away from England.

Traditional political practices were another strong reason for the colonists to support the American Revolution, as the colonies were being ruled without representation, from across the Atlantic Ocean. They opposed the monarchy and the absence of any voice or say in how they were being governed. Under the circumstances, it is highly understandable why these colonists would support a war that sought to separate the American colonies from the Crown.

Lastly, those working as merchants, or involved in trade are natural partners in support of the American Revolutionary efforts. In addition to the lack of governmental representation, the colonies were further repressed because of the Crown’s ability to levy taxes on commerce and shipping it the colonies, and to embargo such critical goods such as tea and other foodstuffs. This was unconscionable and something the colonists were eager to rise up against.

While there were undoubtedly people whose interests aligned more closely with the English government and even the Church of England, there are still a multitude of reasons, as discussed herein, why the colonists were able and willing to support the American Revolution.