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.
1. The imposition of taxes: The British government imposed various taxes on the American colonists, such as the Sugar Act, Stamp Act, and Townshend Acts. The colonists opposed these taxes because they lacked representation in the British Parliament. They believed in the concept of "no taxation without representation," arguing that since they had no elected officials representing their interests in the decision-making process, they should not be subjected to taxes. This opposition to taxation without representation became a central grievance of the colonists and fueled their drive for independence.
2. The Quartering Act: The British government passed the Quartering Act in 1765, which required the colonists to provide housing, food, and provisions for British soldiers stationed in the colonies. The colonists resented this act as an infringement on their rights and considered it as a form of forced occupation. They argued that the act violated their property rights and civil liberties.
3. The Intolerable Acts: In response to the Boston Tea Party, the British government passed the Intolerable Acts in 1774, which aimed to punish the colonists for their acts of defiance. These acts included the Boston Port Act, which closed the port of Boston until the colonists paid for the destroyed tea, and the Massachusetts Government Act, which revoked many of Massachusetts' self-governing rights. The colonists regarded these acts as a significant curtailment of their individual freedoms, undermining the principle of self-governance that they believed to be their birthright as British subjects. They saw these acts as an abuse of power and a violation of their rights to fair treatment and representation.