As an American, the way I was taught in school was that it basically came down to the desire to be independent, no taxation without representation, the standard American desire to have as many rights as humanly possible and control our destiny. But that all seems a little too idealistic and I'm a cynic and don't trust a nation's teaching of its own history in public schools. Would love to know about the rich, old, selfish men who actually started the Revolution.
That view of the American Revolution is actually correct. The only one of the Founding Fathers to actually gain a substantial amount financially during the conflict was John Adams, but that was because he was a horrible businessman and his wife ran his financial affairs while he was away.
Most wars are fought over the establishment or consolidation of power over people or territory. The First World War had the most financially driven reasons for entry than any other war the United States has fought. Idealism, foolish or not, has been a more compelling reason for Americans to go to war, and that includes the American Revolution.