An ideal core that spread throughout America during the formation period was the desire for liberation from the British empire. This ideal was strongly influenced by The Sugar Act, which reduced the tariff paid by the British to the Americans for sugar production at absurd prices. This left the colonists very discouraged with the British government and made them realize that Britain was not in line with America's well-being and prosperity, preferring to exploit it and consume its production at very low prices. As a result, the Americans began to desire independence.
One effect of the Boston Massacre was that "John Adams was criticized for defending the British soldiers who were involved," since he felted that they deserved fair representation.
