Which common arguments were given in support of the American colonists' declaration of independence? Select all correct answers.

A: Parliament did not have the right to impose taxes on the colonists.

B: The British government had become more democratic.

C: Britain was doing fine without the resources North America could provide.

D: It was ridiculous for an island to govern a continent.

A: Parliament did not have the right to impose taxes on the colonists.

D: It was ridiculous for an island to govern a continent.

Explanation:

The American colonists' declaration of independence is a result of many issues that led to the outburst of their discontentment and led to a revolt against the very power they were kept under. This paved the way to fight and sacrifice so that the people of America may have their won liberty and freedom and not be put under any authority except their own.

The most common of the arguments that led to this declaration was the large taxes imposed on them by the British government to fuel and sustain its military warfare. This led to discontentment among the colonies, which was further aggravated by the absence of any representation in the Parliament. This became famously known through the slogan of "no taxation without representation". Moreover, the issue of a small island, prone to any attack itself, is governing a whole continent is deemed absurd. Thomas Paine wrote, "Small islands not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island".

Thus, the correct answers are options A and D.