2. Choose 3 different actions by the British government on the colonists and explain why colonists were opposed to them even though they were

Question

British subjects. (3 points)

Answer 1

The relationship between the British government and the American colonists evolved tensions that ultimately led to the American Revolution. Three significant actions taken by the British government that met with opposition from the colonists are:

1. The Stamp Act (1765): The Stamp Act required colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other publications, effectively imposing a direct tax on the colonies. Colonists opposed this act because they believed it violated their rights as British subjects to be taxed only by their own elected representatives. The slogan "No taxation without representation" emerged, highlighting the growing resentment among colonists who felt they had no voice in Parliament regarding tax matters.

2. The Townshend Acts (1767): These acts imposed duties on imported goods such as glass, paint, paper, and tea. The colonists opposed the Townshend Acts for similar reasons as the Stamp Act. They resented the imposition of taxes without their consent and viewed them as an attempt by Britain to assert greater control over the colonies. The acts ignited boycotts of British goods and contributed to rising tensions, culminating in events like the Boston Massacre in 1770.

3. The Tea Act (1773): The Tea Act was designed to aid the financially struggling British East India Company by allowing it to sell surplus tea directly to the colonies, effectively undercutting local merchants and imposing a tax on tea. Colonists opposed the Tea Act not only because it paved the way for taxation without representation but also because it posed a threat to the local economy and merchants. This opposition culminated in the Boston Tea Party, where colonists protested by dumping tea into Boston Harbor as a direct action against British control and taxation.

In each of these cases, the colonists, despite being British subjects, felt that their rights were being undermined and that they had no fair representation in the decisions that directly affected their lives and livelihoods. This sense of injustice was a key driver of the growing revolutionary sentiment among the colonists.

Answer 2

Simplified

Answer 3

Here are three actions by the British government that the American colonists opposed, along with simple explanations for their resistance:

1. The Stamp Act (1765): This law required colonists to pay a tax on printed materials like newspapers and legal documents. Colonists opposed it because they believed they shouldn't be taxed without having representatives in Parliament to speak for them. They felt it was unfair to be taxed without their consent, leading to the rallying cry "No taxation without representation."

2. The Townshend Acts (1767): These acts placed taxes on everyday items like glass, paper, and tea. Colonists resisted these taxes because they saw them as further attempts by Britain to control them without their input. The opposition led to boycotts of British goods and increased tension, eventually resulting in violent confrontations like the Boston Massacre.

3. The Tea Act (1773): This act allowed the British East India Company to sell tea directly to the colonies, which undercut local merchants and included a tax on tea. Colonists opposed it because they felt it was another example of Britain favoring its own companies at their expense and because it imposed taxation without representation. Their frustration led to the Boston Tea Party, where they protested by dumping tea into the harbor.

In summary, even though they were British subjects, colonists felt their rights were being violated by these taxes and unfair practices, which fueled their desire for independence.