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

Question

Question 3: Compare and contrast Patriots and Loyalists. You should identify at least ONE difference (something unique to the Patriots and something unique to the Loyalists) and ONE similarity.

Answer 1

Question 2: Actions by the British Government and Colonial Opposition

1. The Stamp Act of 1765: This was one of the first direct taxes levied on the colonists, requiring them to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other publications. Colonists opposed this act not only because of the financial burden it placed on them but also because they believed it violated the principle of "no taxation without representation." Many colonists argued that only their own colonial assemblies could impose taxes on them, and they resented being taxed by a distant Parliament in which they had no elected representatives.

2. The Townshend Acts of 1767: These acts imposed duties on various goods imported to the colonies, including tea, glass, and paper. Colonists opposed these measures because they viewed them as an attempt to assert British control and limit their autonomy. The Townshend Acts reignited tensions, leading to boycotts and protests, as colonists felt that the imposition of taxes on everyday goods was an infringement on their rights as British subjects who should have the same rights as those living in Britain.

3. The Intolerable Acts of 1774: In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British government enacted a series of punitive laws that included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the tea destroyed was paid for. Colonists viewed these acts as a direct attack on their liberties and self-governance, as they not only curtailed economic activity but also limited town meetings and increased the powers of the British Governor of Massachusetts. This heavy-handed approach further unified the colonies in their opposition to British rule, as many saw it as an overreach of authority.

Question 3: Comparison of Patriots and Loyalists

Difference:

• Loyalists: Loyalists were colonists who remained loyal to the British Crown. They often believed that remaining a part of the British Empire would provide them with better protection and stability, and they were concerned about the potential chaos that could arise from rebellion.
• Patriots: Patriots were those who sought independence from British rule. They believed in the revolutionary cause based on the principles of liberty, self-governance, and the inherent rights of individuals. They felt that British oppression was intolerable and that it was their duty to resist tyranny.

Similarity: Both Patriots and Loyalists cared deeply about the future of the American colonies and were deeply invested in their personal, economic, and social circumstances. Each group sought to ensure a better future but held fundamentally different visions of how that future should manifest—either through allegiance to Britain for Loyalists or through independence for Patriots. Despite their opposing views, both groups were composed of individuals who actively engaged in the political discourse of their time and sought to influence the direction of colonial society.