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Declaration Of Independence Dbq Essay

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Prior to the American Revolution the colonists sent a series of grievances to King George III between 1754 and 1776, addressing their complaints against the government in Britain. After the people of America were urged to separate from the Crown, they formally compiled their charges against the government in the Declaration of Independence, which made the split from Great Britain valid due to social, political, and economic reasons. Although, some may think it was not a necessity to separate from Britain because the Americans were better off economic and land wise, the colonists perceived their arguments extremely valid, therefore making their claims justifiable. The colonies were neglected socially by their mother country. In the Declaration …show more content…

Great Britain neglected America in trade because British exports much more in the colonies than its imports. Trade with America was small compared to the total trade of Britain, which is outlined in the Trade between Great Britain and North American, 1763-1775 (Doc. B). In the colonists’ eyes the taxation implemented by Parliament was outrageous. Following the Seven Years’ War, England issued a series of taxation acts on the colonies to pay for the debt caused by the war. This included the Stamp Act in 1765, the Townshend Act of 1767, and the Tea Act in 1773. Especially since the Stamp Act was physically seen, it created boycotts in the colonies of British goods. Following the Stamp Act in 1766, the Examination of Benjamin Franklin before the house of Commons suggested that “if the people do not like it at that price, they have the right to refuse it; they are not obligated to pay it” (Doc. C). When the Stamp Act was repealed, Parliament replaced it in 1767 with the Townshend Act, which was an import tax on lead, glass, paint, paper, and tea. Additionally, this act was repealed as well due to the non-importation agreements among the colonies, which leaves the Tea Act. This act in 1773 led to the Boston Tea Party, which in turn resulted in the Intolerable Acts being issued, which restricted the colonial rights of trade. Part of the series in these acts punishing the inhabitants of

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