13 Colonies = 13 districts
Panem is separated into 13 different districts, they all follow one government which is the Capitol. Panem mirrors the United States earliest settlement when the 13 colonies were under controlled by Great Britain. In the same way as the Capitol, the British government also made laws that felt unjust to the people living in the colonies. Both government did not approve of free speech. Katniss kept her opinions to herself because of the fear her mother had for the Capitol. Whereas the colonists had no say in the Parliament. People in the colonies and districts soon realize that they need to have their voices heard and given equal rights, thus starting the rebellion in Panem and Revolutionary War in the United States. Katniss trying to keep Peeta and herself alive caused the start of the rebellion like how the shots fired in Lexington started the revolution.
An article I found interesting regarding this topic: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/britt-darrow/post_3553_b_1624818.html
“I would blurt out about District 12, about the people who rule our country, Panem, from the far-off city called the Capitol. Eventually, I understood this would only lead us to more trouble. So I learned to hold my tongue.” (HG pg. 7)
“All I was doing was trying to keep Peeta and myself alive. Any act of rebellion was purely coincidental. But when the Capitol decrees that only one tribute can live and you have the audacity to challenge it, I guess that's a rebellion in itself.” (CF pg. 19)