Assignment on The Declaration of Independence

8/16/2019 The Declaration of Independence: Analyzing Grievances | QL #210
https://www.curriculumpathways.com/portal/Launch?id=210 1/9
The Declaration of Independence:
Analyzing Grievances
In this "break-up" letter the colonies are sending to
King George III, what are the strongest arguments
for ending the relationship?
Reasons for the break-up
Grievances against Great Britain and King George III
American colonists were unhappy with British rule for many reasons. Here are some of
the most important ones:
Parliament passed laws that the colonists considered unjust.
Colonists had no direct representation in Britain’s Parliament.
Parliament expected the colonists to help pay the costs of the French and Indian
War.
Colonists weren’t allowed to sell products to any country except Britain.
Parliament placed high taxes on French and Dutch goods to force colonists to buy
only British products.
Let's do some research
Use these sites to identify additional reasons why the colonists wanted to break away from
Great Britain.
Watch the Stamp Act movies 1-3 to identify grievances in the early protest
movements.
Read the summary in Reasons for the Revolution to identify grievances the colonists
experienced in the years following the Stamp Act (1765-1776).
Refer to the research you have done so far to answer the following questions.

8/16/2019 The Declaration of Independence: Analyzing Grievances | QL #210
https://www.curriculumpathways.com/portal/Launch?id=210 2/9
1 Why did the British want the colonists to pay a greater portion of the cost of
imperial governing?
The British were involved in the French and Indian wars that has drained their
economy hence to maintain their troops they wanted the colonies to pay the
taxes. The cost of both these war was too much for the British government
hence they wanted the Americans to pay the taxes and recover the cost.
Did you consider the costs of the French and Indian War?
ANSWERANSWER
2 Why did the colonists object to this increased taxation?
The Americans protested against the act as they believed that they cannot be
taxed without their consent and the slogan that they shouted during the protest
was "Taxation without Representation".
Did you consider that colonists did not have representation in Parliament
and saw the taxes as burdens they had no way of disputing?
ANSWERANSWER
3 What was the impact of the 1773 Boston Tea Party?
The colonies reacted to the Tea Act, hence the tea party was a reaction to the
Tea Act and it angered the British. King George was furious about the tea party
and they took away self government until the tea was paid for. The king was
taking the power of the North American colonist and also their liberties were at
stake.
Did you consider colonial fears that the King was attempting to take
traditional English liberties away from the North American colonists?
ANSWERANSWER