The American Revolution, Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Quartering Act, Townshend Acts, Boston Massacre, Boston Tea Party, Coercive Acts, American Revolution, protests against British colonial policies, demands for independence, John Locke, social contract theory of government, Declaration of Independence, the consent of the governed, purpose of government is to protect peoples' natural rights, right to overthrow an oppressive government, "Life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness," power to govern belo