Political Reform Vs Economic Freedom In Slavery

Political Reform V Economic Freedom Slaveryprompt 1the British Parli

Political Reform v. Economic Freedom; Slavery Prompt 1 The British Parliament passed several acts such as the Stamp Act 1765, the Townshend 1767 and Tea Act of 1773 on the American colonies to generate revenue to help pay for the debt incurred by England in the French & Indian War. As you read the documents note the time frame and consider the colonial reaction to each act. Massachusetts Assembly Resolutions on the Stamp Act 1765 (Links to an external site.) Benjamin Franklin and the Stamp Act Crisis 1766 (Links to an external site.) Bostonians Protest the Townshend Acts 1767; John Hancock (Links to an external site.) John Adams Describes the Situation in Boston Five Days Prior to the Boston Tea Party 1773 (Links to an external site.) The Boston Tea Party 1773; George Robert Twelve (Links to an external site.) 1. From the documents, which of the British acts angered the colonists most and why? Cite specific passages from the documents. 2. Of the numerous revenue generating acts passed by the British Parliament mentioned in the text and documents (Sugar Act, Stamp Act, Townshend Act, Tea Act, etc) which act served to unite the colonies against Great Britain and why? Prompt 2 African American slaves in the American Revolution were pressured by the Americans and British to support their respective sides with freedom being the reward for their service and loyalty. From the following documents note the difference in the experiences of two African American slaves; one that served in the British army and one that fought for the Americans. An Enslaved Black Soldier in the American Army ; Boyrereau Brinch (Links to an external site.) Fugitive Slave in the British Army; Boston King (Links to an external site.) 1. What motivated each of these men to fight for their respective sides during the war and why? 2. How did their experiences differ or were similar with regard to the treatment elicited to them by each army with respect to equality to white soldiers?

Paper For Above instruction

The American colonies' reaction to British legislative acts in the period leading up to the American Revolution provides insight into the development of colonial unity and resistance. Among the acts promulgated by Parliament, the Stamp Act of 1765 provoked significant outrage, notably because it directly taxed colonists without colonial representation. The Massachusetts Assembly's resolutions condemned the Stamp Act, emphasizing that taxation without representation violated colonial rights. This act particularly incited protests because it affected a broad swath of colonial merchants and everyday citizens, leading to widespread boycotts and protests, as detailed in the documented reactions. Benjamin Franklin’s correspondence from 1766 illustrates mounting colonial resistance, criticizing the tax as unjust and highlighting the rallying around colonial grievances. The Townshend Acts of 1767 further fueled dissent, with Bostonians actively protesting these taxes on imported goods, as exemplified by John Hancock's outspoken opposition. The Boston Tea Party of 1773 epitomized colonial defiance against the Tea Act, which not only taxed tea but also symbolized the larger issue of parliamentary overreach. The act that most angered colonists was the Tea Act because it infringed on their right to self-governance and precipitated direct actions like dumping tea into Boston Harbor, a key act of rebellion. The colonies united most firmly against the Townsend and Tea Acts, as these regulations attempted to control colonial trade and impose taxes without local consent, galvanizing collective colonial resistance that ultimately laid the groundwork for independence.

During the American Revolution, African American individuals faced complex choices motivated by both the promise of freedom and the realities of slavery. Boyrereau Brinch, fighting for the Americans, was motivated by the possibility of emancipation and the hope of personal liberty, fueled by the idea that supporting the colonial cause could lead to freedom from enslavement. Conversely, Boston King, a fugitive slave serving in the British Army, was motivated primarily by a desire for liberty, as the British offered freedom to enslaved individuals willing to fight for them. Their experiences during the war reflected differing treatment based on the armies' attitudes towards race and equality. Boyrereau Brinch faced a military environment in the American forces that was largely unequal, with African Americans generally experiencing discrimination and limited recognition for their service. Meanwhile, Boston King’s experience in the British Army was somewhat more progressive in offering the promise of freedom; however, he still encountered racial prejudices and was not granted equal treatment compared to white soldiers. Both men’s choices underscore the complex motivations of enslaved Africans during the Revolution and reveal contrasting experiences shaped by the policies and attitudes of their respective armies, especially regarding racial equality and recognition.

References

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