Question 2: Choose 3 different actions by the British government on the colonists and explain why colonists were opposed to them even though they were British subjects.
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1. Imposing taxes without colonial representation: One of the primary actions by the British government that the colonists opposed was the imposition of various taxes, such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts, without granting the colonists any representation in the British Parliament. The colonists argued that this violated their rights as British subjects since they were being taxed without having a say in the decisions made by the government that influenced their livelihoods. They believed that proper representation was a fundamental aspect of British governance, which the British government was denying them.
2. Quartering Act: The Quartering Act, passed in 1765, required colonists to provide housing, food, and supplies to British soldiers stationed in America. This law was seen as another intrusion on the rights of the colonists, as they were being compelled to accommodate and support British forces without their consent. The colonists believed this violated their individual property rights and personal liberties, as they were being forced to house and provide for soldiers against their will.
3. Intolerable Acts: The Intolerable Acts, passed by the British government in response to the Boston Tea Party, were a series of punitive measures targeting Massachusetts. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the Boston Harbor until the damaged tea was paid for, and the Massachusetts Government Act, which revoked the colony's self-governing rights. The colonists opposed these acts as they felt unjustly punished for the actions of a few individuals and saw it as a threat to their liberties and the ability of colonial governments to govern themselves. They believed that the British government's actions undermined their autonomy and violated their rights as British subjects.