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Colonial Independence Motivations
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Colonial Independence Motivations
📜 Part 1: Understanding Colonial Complaints
1. What does "taxation without representation" mean?
Colonists had to pay taxes but couldn't vote on them
Colonists didn't have to pay any taxes
Only the king could collect taxes
2. Which of these were economic (money-related) problems for colonists? Check all that apply:
High taxes on tea and sugar
Britain cutting off trade with other countries
The king dissolving colonial governments
Expensive stamps required on documents
3. Which of these were political (government-related) problems? Check all that apply:
King refusing to pass fair laws
No colonial representatives in British Parliament
High prices on imported goods
British soldiers staying in colonial homes
4. The Declaration of Independence was written to:
Ask the king for lower taxes
Explain why colonists wanted to be free from Britain
Start a war with France
✍️ Part 2: Text Evidence and Explanations
5. Fill in the blanks using words from the Declaration of Independence:
The colonists were angry about _________________ without representation. They also complained that Britain was _________________ off their trade with other parts of the world.
6. If you were a colonist, which complaint would make you the most upset? Explain your answer using evidence from what you learned:
7. Complete this sentence: "One reason colonists wanted independence was..."
8. How do you think the colonists felt when they wrote the Declaration of Independence? Use details to support your answer:
🤔 Part 3: Making Connections
9. Imagine you are a colonist writing a letter to King George III. Write two sentences explaining why you want independence:
10. South Carolina colonists also wanted independence from Britain. Based on what you learned, why do you think South Carolinians joined the fight for freedom?
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