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Europeans came to the new world in the 13th century. Jamestown, Virginia was settled in 1607 followed by the settlement of Massachusetts in 1620. Various colonies were formed so that there were thirteen separate colonial governments by 1776. During the 170 years of British rule over the colonies, Americans struggled with the same issues we are dealing with today. Taxation without representation is the main reason we attribute to the Revolution and the Revolutionary War. The Declaration of Independence, however, listed twenty-three grievances. The founding fathers dealt with issues of power to the central government, right of taxation, honoring of states' currencies, and most important...slavery. The founders did what our modern legislators do with difficult is-sues. They adjourn a decision until a future day. The original signers of the Declaration of Independence paid dearly for their beliefs. A) Five men were arrested and tortured before they died as traitors. B) Twelve had their homes destroyed C) Nine men fought in the Revolutionary War and died from their wounds. The following documents are the legacy these brave men gave us so that we could have a government with more liberties for its citizens than ever before on the face of the earth.