and George III's madness.
Historical note here: George III would not suffer from insanity for another 20 years at least. It's the reason why the Napoleonic Era in Britain is called the regency.
I think in asking if it was a "just war" we make the mistake of assuming that we can make such a determination better than those who lived during that time.
I don't think so. In wrestling with issues like this, we're using historical scenarios as case studies: it's good to try and study the issue and decide where we would have been, because it can actually (I think) help us if we ever have to make such judgments today. I can certainly celebrate certain aspects of American independence, but if I had lived at the time, I don't think, in good conscience, that I could have supported it.