which act upset the conolists because it was a direct tax on the colonies?

wouldn't it be the stamp act???

http://www.nps.gov/revwar/about_the_revolution/timeline_of_events.html

why did the colonists go to war with britain.

The colonists went to war with Britain primarily due to a culmination of factors, including political, economic, and ideological conflicts. Some key reasons that led to the Revolutionary War include:

1. Taxation without representation: The colonists were angered by the British government's imposition of various taxes, such as the Stamp Act, Sugar Act, and Townshend Acts, without their consent or representation in Parliament.

2. Restrictions on trade: The British government implemented trade regulations, such as the Navigation Acts, which limited colonial trade and imposed economic burdens on the colonies.

3. British military presence: The colonists were resentful of the presence of British troops in the colonies, especially in times of peace, as it made them feel like subjects under occupation rather than free citizens.

4. Violation of colonial rights: The British government violated the colonists' rights, such as their right to a fair trial and the quartering of soldiers in private homes.

5. Calls for self-governance: Over time, the colonists developed a sense of identity as Americans and a desire for self-governance, free from British influence and control.

It is important to note that these grievances did not lead to immediate hostilities. Tensions built up over several years and eventually escalated into armed conflict, ultimately resulting in the Revolutionary War.