Question

In the text you read this about the Olive Branch Petition: After much debate, the delegates sent a petition to King George. In the Olive Branch Petition, they declared their loyalty to the king and asked him to repeal the Intolerable Acts. George III was furious when he heard about the petition. The colonists, he raged, were trying to begin a war “for the purpose of establishing an independent empire!” The king vowed to bring the rebels to justice. He ordered 20,000 more troops to the colonies to crush the revolt.

Answer 1

The Olive Branch Petition was a significant moment in the lead-up to the American Revolution. It represented an attempt by the American colonies to assert their loyalty to King George III while seeking a peaceful resolution to escalating tensions. The petition requested the repeal of the Intolerable Acts, which were punitive measures imposed by the British government in response to colonial resistance, particularly after the Boston Tea Party.

The response from King George III was one of anger and determination. He perceived the petition as a sign of rebellion and a threat to British authority, leading him to escalate military presence in the colonies. By ordering additional troops, the king aimed to suppress any dissent and reassert control. This marked a turning point, as the king's refusal to address colonial grievances and his decision to use force ultimately contributed to the broader movement for independence. The situation underscored the deepening divide between the colonies and Britain, setting the stage for the Revolutionary War.