The main reason for the the colonies voting, and later fighting for Independence is due to the antics of one King George III aka George the Mad. It wasn't treason so much as it was desperation. The colonies were being strangled under his rule so I don't blame them for wanting independence. Not with a ruler like that anyways. And yes, good 'ol Abe one of the best leaders the world has ever known. Liberating Africans from slavery and strongly promoting a government of the people, run by the people, for the people. I'm sure he did more but these are the main ones I know off the top of my head.