Colonial Resistance: Justifying Independence from Britain

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The colonists were justified in declaring independence because they suffered unfair taxes and were ruled by a tyrant.

Colonists lived under unjustified tax laws, like the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts. According to Document 10, no person under the British constitution should pay any tax that he did not agree to. The colonists had no representation in British government, nor did they agree to any taxes. This deems any tax unconstitutional and unfair for any colonist to pay. The Tea Act allowed the East India Company to control a monopoly over tea in the colonies.(Document 13) This law was unjustified because colonists were forced to buy and drink only one tea, which also happened to be the one that profited Britain the most. Additionally, it gave Britain complete control over one thing in the colonies, possibly leading to another and eventually something similar to a totalitarian government. The Townshend Acts were the most brutal and limiting acts.(Document 16) They included new import taxes, suspension of the New York assembly, new customs officials, and the creation of trials without juries. This gives rise to the previous point about totalitarianism. The colonists were held under unconstitutional laws, justifying their declaration of …show more content…

The French-Indian War set Britain back a large amount in debt. Although the war was fought to protect the colonists and it is only just that Britain is reimbursed, their methods of regaining money were not. Up until the Stamp Act, taxes were only needed to regulate trade. The only reason for the imposed taxes were for raising money, an action which they did not have the authority to perform.(Document 2) Putting a tax on almost all daily purchases caused horrible living conditions. This unconstitutional act is justification enough to revolt. Britain and its Parliament has no rationalization in taxing and controlling all of the colonists’

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