how did colonists see themselves? why was this important for their rights?

Colonists initially saw themselves primarily as members of their individual towns or colonies rather than as a unified "American" people. Many considered themselves British subjects, identifying with English laws and customs, but this identification was more local and regional than continental. Over time, as colonies grew and faced common challenges, they began to develop a sense of shared identity, which set the stage for broader unity. This self- identification was important for their rights because colonists believed they were entitled to the same rights as British subjects in England. They valued natural rights such as life, liberty, and property and insisted that these could not be taken away without their consent. The colonists' view of themselves as entitled to these rights made them resist British parliamentary laws and taxes imposed without their representation, fundamentally arguing for their rights to self-governance and participation in decisions that affected them.