“Our Colonies must be the biggest Beggars in the World, if such small Duties appear to be intolerable Burdens in their Eyes.”
—“Pacificus,” Maryland Gazette, March 20, 1766
Question
Use the excerpt to answer the question.
This excerpt is from a citizen in England in response to the colonial outrage toward the Stamp Act. What central argument of the American colonists against the Stamp Act is not understood by the writer?
(1 point)
Responses
that trade was heavily restricted due to the taxes, which made it difficult for the colonists to make enough money to live let alone pay the taxes
that trade was heavily restricted due to the taxes, which made it difficult for the colonists to make enough money to live let alone pay the taxes
that although the tax is small, it is the idea that the colonists have to repay the British government for a war they did not support that is unjust
that although the tax is small, it is the idea that the colonists have to repay the British government for a war they did not support that is unjust
that it is not the amount of tax that is the problem but rather the fact that the colonists were not involved in passing the tax
that it is not the amount of tax that is the problem but rather the fact that the colonists were not involved in passing the tax
that the tax may seem small to those in England but for the American colonists it is a very large amount of money
that the tax may seem small to those in England but for the American colonists it is a very large amount of money
Why did the British feel justified imposing the Stamp Act on the colonists? Select all that apply.
(1 point)
Responses
British citizens living in England faced increased taxes due to wars in the colonies.
British citizens living in England faced increased taxes due to wars in the colonies.
The taxes protected colonists living in the Ohio River valley from Native Americans.
The taxes protected colonists living in the Ohio River valley from Native Americans.
Britain had spent money protecting colonists from the French.
Britain had spent money protecting colonists from the French.
The taxes were being used to raise money for more supplies for the colonists.