“Our Colonies must be the biggest Beggars in the World, if such small Duties appear to be intolerable Burdens in their Eyes.”

Question

—“Pacificus,” Maryland Gazette, March 20, 1766



Use the excerpt to answer the question.
This excerpt is from a citizen in England in response to the colonial outrage toward the Stamp Act. What central argument of the American colonists against the Stamp Act is not understood by the writer?

(1 point)
Responses

that it is not the amount of tax that is the problem but rather the fact that the colonists were not involved in passing the tax
that it is not the amount of tax that is the problem but rather the fact that the colonists were not involved in passing the tax

that the tax may seem small to those in England but for the American colonists it is a very large amount of money
that the tax may seem small to those in England but for the American colonists it is a very large amount of money

that although the tax is small, it is the idea that the colonists have to repay the British government for a war they did not support that is unjust

Answer 1

The central argument of the American colonists against the Stamp Act that is not understood by the writer is:

that it is not the amount of tax that is the problem but rather the fact that the colonists were not involved in passing the tax.

This response highlights the principle of "no taxation without representation," which was a key grievance for the colonists who felt that they should have a say in any taxes imposed upon them.