The list is a summary of grievances expressed in the Declaration of Independence.

Question

• The colonists were taxed without their approval.
• The colonists were not able to make their own laws.
• The colonists were not represented in British Parliament.
• The colonists were forced to house soldiers in their homes.
• The colonists were cut off from trade with the rest of the world.
• The colonists were not able to make their own laws.
• The colonists were not represented in British Parliament.
• The colonists were forced to house soldiers in their homes.
• The colonists were cut off from trade with the rest of the world.
Based on the list, why did colonists feel the need to declare their independence from Great Britain?

The basic rights of the colonists were violated by the British.
• The British did not provide sufficient protection of the colonists.
• The preferred form of government for the colonists was democracy.
• The colonists did not have any ways of making money in the colonies.

Answer 1

Based on the list, the colonists felt the need to declare their independence from Great Britain because their basic rights were being violated by the British. They were being taxed without their approval, not able to make their own laws, and not represented in British Parliament. Additionally, they were forced to house soldiers in their homes and were cut off from trade with the rest of the world. These grievances showed a lack of respect for the colonists' rights and autonomy, leading them to seek independence from Great Britain.