Moving Toward Independence

The excerpt below comes from Thomas Paine’s pamphlet, Common Sense, published in 1776. The excerpt describes an issue that the American colonies faced under British rule. "Small islands not capable of protecting themselves, are the proper objects for kingdoms to take under their care; but there is something very absurd, in supposing a continent to be perpetually governed by an island." Why did Thomas Paine argue that it was absurd for the Americas to be “perpetually governed by an island”?

• Governing the island of Great Britain required a completely different approach than governing a vast continent across the ocean.

• British Parliament members only spent part of the year in the colonies and the rest of their time in Great Britain.

• As an island nation, Great Britain was militarily weak and left its colonies to fend for themselves during wars.

• While the British economy relied on fishing, the American economy relied on farming.

In 1215, King John gave his approval for the Magna Carta, which defined the rights and duties of English Nobles. How did the Magna Carta help create a limited monarchy in England?

• It reduced the monarch’s ability to demand taxes from the nobles.

• It provided a framework for self-government, which required a representative of the nobles’ choosing to create laws.

• It stopped unlawful imprisonment, requiring accused persons to be brought before a judge.

• It set limits on fines and required that elections be held without the monarch’s interference.

Which of the following is NOT provided by the English Bill of Rights?

• right to fair trial

• right to no excessive punishments

• right to bear arms

• right to self-government

What did English colonists agree to by signing the Mayflower Compact in 1620?

• Each person would be responsible for governing his or herself within the law.

• The laws would be established and enforced by the British Parliament.

• The colonists would agree to laws enacted by representatives of their choosing.

• The king would determine laws for the colonists to follow with absolute power.

A student is making a list of individual rights that were reaffirmed by the English Bill of Rights. Which item does NOT belong on the list?

• the right to freedom of speech, including the press

• the right to own property, including land and other belongings

• the right to life, including protection from excessive punishment

• the right to liberty, including the ability to enjoy life within the established laws

What was the purpose of habeas corpus under the English Bill of Rights?

• It protected against the taxation of the people.

• It protected people accused of a crime from unlawful imprisonment.

• It protected people in the freedom to practice their own religion.

• It protected the right to own property.

How did the Mayflower Compact influence future government in the colonies?

• Other colonies allowed the right to bear arms of all colonists.

• Other colonies established the ability to tax freely.

• Other colonies created similar forms of local government.

• Other colonies limited the power of the government.

The diagram below describes a change that occurred in the American colonies. Which statement completes the diagram?

• Britain decided that American colonists would not have to pay taxes since they helped fight the French.

• Parliament created a series of taxes that local governments had to pay, making it too costly to have local representation.

• British soldiers stayed in the colonies to enforce laws and colonists had to pay taxes to support them.

• Britain gave American colonists a voice in Parliament, so local governments were no longer necessary.

How did British policy toward the colonies change after the French and Indian War?

• The British began a policy of benign neglect, in which they left the colonies to themselves.

• Colonists paid heavy taxes on everyday items including tea, newspapers, and sugar.

• Britain encouraged the colonies to make their own rules, justice system, and taxes.

• Colonists determined the punishments for those who broke laws and refused to pay taxes.

Why did Britain pass the act referred to in this image?

• A. Britain believed that taxing every piece of paper sold in the colonies would pay for increased defense costs.

• B. Parliament decided that the local taxes colonists paid were illegal and wanted colonists paying taxes directly to Britain.

• C. British citizens were frustrated over their high taxes and protested until Parliament taxed colonial imports and exports.

• D. Parliament wanted to prove that they were more powerful than local governments and force colonists to follow their laws.