The soviet city of was surrounded by german troops for 832 days.

The answer is Leningrad. It is now known as St. Petersburg. The Blockade of Leningrad, also known as the Leningrad Blockade was an extended military blockade assumed mostly by the German Army Group North in contradiction of Leningrad in the Eastern Front drama of World War II.

British imperial rule was direct on the american colonies as they were levied heavy taxes by the crown

Explanation:

American colonies were ruled directly by the English crown as the colonies  were inflicted with too many taxes. The produce of the colonies were sent to the home land and the profits were also shown to the imperialistic government. As the taxes inflicted were too heavy, people felt the need to secede from the home land and intended to govern themselves.

The declaration of independence is the first document which stated the need of independence and why the Americans decided to secede from the imperialistic rule. Many protests were staged by the annoyed colonists who were repressed by heavy taxes and they were not even given a representation in the parliament.