I realized the other day that the Colonial citizens probably had equal or less control over going to war than American citizens these days. Was there a vote for going to war? I realize that the colonies were all technically different entities so did they declare war at different times?
Also, was it sort of a grass roots thing where the citizens wanted it so the Colonial government acted or did the aristocrats all get together and declare independence without a formal say so by the public?
You have to remember that the basis of going to war with Britain was not specifically to gain independence, but to gain a greater voice in Westminster - where previously they had been neglected and were not on equal terms. For the ordinary citizen, most were still British in their outlook, and perhaps we see this with a spilt into those prepared to fight for the Colonies, and those who sided with the Loyalists. Being a Loyalist was particularly difficult as you would imagine, but even after the victory and subsequent independence, many - even those who had fought against the British - still toasted to King George and still viewed themselves as British.