Question

“Every British Subject born on the continent of America . . . is by the law of God and nature, by the common law, and by act of parliament, . . . entitled to all the natural, essential, inherent and inseparable rights of our fellow subjects in Great-Britain. Among those rights are the following . . . :

“. . . Taxes are not to be laid on the people, but by their consent in person, or by [representatives].

“. . . I can see no reason to doubt, but that the imposition of taxes, whether on trade, or on land, or houses, or ships, . . . in the colonies is absolutely irreconcilable with the rights of the Colonists, as British subjects. . . .

“The power of parliament is uncontrollable, . . . and we must obey. . . . Therefore let the parliament lay what burthens they please on us, we must, it is our duty to submit and patiently bear them till they . . . afford us relief by repealing such acts, as through mistake, or other human infirmities, have been suffered to pass, if they can be convinced that their proceedings are not constitutional.”

James Otis, The Rights of the British Colonies Asserted and Proved, pamphlet, 1764

In the excerpt, Otis was responding to which of the following developments?


The publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

Option A,The publication of Thomas Paine’s Common Sense

a

The threat of a French invasion of British North America

Option B,The threat of a French invasion of British North America

b

The introduction of widespread boycotts against imported British goods

Option C,The introduction of widespread boycotts against imported British goods

c

The British government’s attempts to pay for the costs of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War)

Option D,The British government’s attempts to pay for the costs of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War)

d


Which of the following was a major purpose of Otis’ pamphlet?


To recruit foreign allies to support the claims of the colonists against Great Britain

Option A,To recruit foreign allies to support the claims of the colonists against Great Britain

a

To encourage opposition to Parliament’s regulation of colonial commerce

Option B,To encourage opposition to Parliament’s regulation of colonial commerce

b

To propose a plan to send colonial delegates to sit in Parliament

Option C,To propose a plan to send colonial delegates to sit in Parliament

c

To advocate for colonial independence from Great Britain

Option D,To advocate for colonial independence from Great Britain

d

By the 1770s, to which of the following groups would Otis’ argument that the colonies “must obey” Parliament most appeal?


Farmers in the New England colonies

Option A,Farmers in the New England colonies

a

Loyalists in New York

Option B,Loyalists in New York

b

Enslaved people in the southern colonies

Option C,Enslaved people in the southern colonies

c

Artisans in port cities

Option D,Artisans in port cities

d

Answer 1

1) D — The British government’s attempts to pay for the costs of the Seven Years’ War (French and Indian War). Otis is responding to new revenue measures (e.g., the Sugar Act/other postwar taxation) imposed to raise funds after that war.

2) B — To encourage opposition to Parliament’s regulation of colonial commerce (and especially to taxation without colonial representation). The pamphlet argues taxes imposed on colonists without their consent violate their rights.

3) B — Loyalists in New York. The passage’s acceptance of Parliamentary supremacy and call to “obey” until relief would most appeal to colonists loyal to British authority.