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Were The American Colonists Justified Dbq Essay

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July 4, 1776, marked the date the Second Continental Congress declared independence from Great Britain in the Declaration of Independence. Less than two decades ago, the French Indian War was fought to protect the colonist from the Native Americans. The war left the British in heavy debt and the British felt that the colonists should share the burden. The British began to place taxes on British goods, such as tea, which was a staple in the colonist lives. Protests, at the colonists own volition, broke through New England and tensions between the British and the colonists arose. The colonists were justified in separating from Great Britain by declaring independence. Unfair taxes levied by the British parliament were a reason why the colonists were justified from …show more content…

First, the colonists should share the burden from the French Indian War. According to Document 1, Britain protected the colonists in the French Indian War. Since going to war was costly, and the the colonists primarily benefitted, they should have helped pay the war debt. Secondly, the colonists had no reason to protest. When the Stamp Act was first passed by the British Parliament it did not affect many of the colonists (Doc 3). Many of the colonists didn’t read or use paper and the tax hadn’t even been levied yet, so there was absolutely no reason or justification for protesting. Lastly, the colonists practically asked Britain to have a tighter hold on them through their childish acts of terrorism. Document B describes the chaos throughout New England, such as the tarring and feathering of tax collectors and the protests. The reason why the British had to establish a more tyrannical government was because the colonists were out of control. If the colonists weren't even able to control themselves, how would they even be fit to run a country? Thus making the colonists unjustified for splitting from

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