What events increased tensions or played a significant role in moving colonist towards declaring independence?

Several events did much to bring the American colonies close to war with Britain. However, the two events which did the most to bring about the War of Independence were the Boston Tea Party and the Boston Massacre. Enraged over the taxes, Parliament had levied on the colonies, the Sons of Liberty staged the Boston Tea Party. In retaliation, the governor requested British troops to restore order, and refused to remove them until restitution for the tea had been made. Tensions flared, the situation escalated, and one of the soldiers fired into a crowd of enraged citizens, killing several.