Level 2

Secondary Sources
Jesse Greenspan. 6 Things You May Not Know About Taxes. History.com, April 11, 2013
Great Britain found itself deep in debt following its victory over France in the French and Indian
War. As a result, it enacted the Sugar Act of 1764, the Stamp Act of 1765, the Townshend Acts of
1767 and other measures aimed at raising funds from its 13 American colonies. Taxes remained
orders of magnitude higher in Great Britain than across the pond. But the colonists fiercely
resisted them anyway, protesting against taxation without representation and eventually taking
up arms. Resistance to taxes continued after the Revolutionary War, most notably when a group
of Pennsylvania farmers initiated the so-called Whiskey Rebellion in 1794.
Grover G. Norquist. Tea, Taxes and the Revolution. Foreign Policy Magazine, July 3, 2012
By 1714, British citizens in Great Britain were paying on a per capita basis 10 times as much in
taxes as the average American in the 13 colonies, though some colonies had higher taxes than
others. Britons, for example, paid 5.4 times as much in taxes as taxpayers in Massachusetts, 18
times as much as Connecticut Yankees, 6.3 times as much as New Yorkers, 15.5 times much as
Virginians; and 35.8 times as much as Pennsylvanians.
Kevin Wandrei. Why Did the British Feel Entitled to Tax the Colonists Following the Seven
Years' War?
When Britain entered the Seven Years' War with France in 1754, the country was financially illprepared. In 1754, the country's national debt totaled 75 million pounds. By the end of the war,
the debt ballooned to 133 million pounds, almost double what it was at the beginning of the
conflict. While Britain won the war and expanded its territorial control across the world, the
nation needed a way to pay its finances. Its colonies abroad, including those in North America,
presented a politically favorable way of generating revenue. Taxes were thus imposed as a
convenient way to increase the country's income.
The British thought they had benefitted North American colonists during the Seven Years' War
by defending their homes from invasion. The results of British victory included territorial gains
in Canada, the Caribbean and Western North America. To the British, these gains directly
benefited the lives of North American colonists. [Therefore], the American colonies should pay a
significant piece of the cost of acquiring new territory and defending the colonies
The Heritage Foundation. The Declaration of Independence
The Declaration of Independence is the founding document of the American political tradition. It
articulates the fundamental ideas that form the American nation: All men are created free and
equal and possess the same inherent, natural rights. Legitimate governments must therefore be
based on the consent of the governed and must exist to secure these rights.

Primary Sources
Declaration of Independence provided to you. (Look at 27 grievances & preamble)
John Locke. Second Treatise of Civil Government, 1690
whenever the Legislators endeavour to take away, and destroy the Property of the People, or to
reduce them to Slavery under Arbitrary Power, they put themselves into a state of War with the
People, who are thereupon absolved from any farther Obedience, and are left to the common
refuge which God hath provided for all men against force and violence. ... [Power then] devolves
to the People, who have a Right to resume their original Liberty, and, by the Establishment of a
new Legislative (such as they shall think fit) provide for their own Safety and Security, which is
the end for which they are in Society.
The Dutch Declaration of Independence, 1581
As it is apparent to all that a prince is constituted by God to be ruler of a people, to defend them
from oppression and violence as the shepherd his sheep; and whereas God did not create the
people slaves to their prince, to obey his commands, whether right or wrong, but rather the
prince for the sake of the subjects (without which he could be no prince), to govern them
according to equity, to love and support them as a father his children or a shepherd his flock, and
even at the hazard of life to defend and preserve them. And when he does not behave thus, but,
on the contrary, oppresses them, seeking opportunities to infringe their ancient customs and
privileges, exacting from them slavish compliance, then he is no longer a prince, but a tyrant, and
the subjects are to consider him in no other view. And particularly when this is done deliberately,
unauthorized by the states, they may not only disallow his authority, but legally proceed to the
choice of another prince for their defense. This is the only method left for subjectsfor the
defense of liberty, which we ought to transmit to posterity, even at the hazard of our lives.
Charles Inglis. The True Interest of America Impartially Stated, 1776
By a reconciliation with Britain, a period would be put to the present calamitous war, by which
so many lives have been lost, and so many more must be lost, if it continues. This alone is an
advantage devoutly to he wished for. This Paine says- "The blood of the slain, the weeping voice
of nature cries, Tis time to part." I think they cry just the reverse. The blood of the slain, the
weeping voice of nature cries-It is time to be reconciled; it is time to lay aside those animosities
which have pushed on Britons to shed the blood of Britons; it is high time that those who are
connected by the endearing ties of religion, kindred and country, should resume their former
friendship, and be united in the bond of mutual atfection, as their interests are inseparably united.
Thomas Whately, Considerations on the Trade and Finances of This Kingdom, 1763.
We are not yet recovered from a War undertakenfor their Protection. No time was ever so
seasonable (appropriate) for claiming their assistance. The distribution is too unequal, of benefits
only to the colonies, and of all the Burdens upon the Mother Country.

Name:___________________________
Date:______________
Period:______________
Make a claim, supported with evidence and reasoning from the documents provided, answering
the following question: Were the colonists justified in declaring independence from Great
Britain? Support your claim with evidence from at least three sources, including at least one
primary source and one secondary source.
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Level 1

Secondary Sources
Jesse Greenspan. 6 Things You May Not Know About Taxes. History.com, April 11, 2013
Great Britain found itself deep in debt following its victory over France in the French and Indian
War. As a result, it enacted several new taxes. Taxes remained higher in England than in the 13
colonies, but the colonies objected, protesting against taxation without representation and
eventually rebelled.
Grover G. Norquist. Tea, Taxes and the Revolution. Foreign Policy Magazine, July 3, 2012
By 1714, British citizens in Great Britain were paying 10 times as much in taxes as the average
American, though it was different by colony. British people paid 5.4 times as much in taxes
compared to Massachusetts, 18 times as much as Connecticut, 6.3 times as much as New
Yorkers, 15.5 times much as Virginians; and 35.8 times as much as Pennsylvanians.
Kevin Wandrei. Why Did the British Feel Entitled to Tax the Colonists Following the Seven
Years' War?
In 1754, the country's national debt totaled 75 million pounds. By the end of the war, the debt
ballooned to 133 million pounds, almost double. While Britain won the war, the nation needed a
way to pay its finances. Its colonies presented a favorable way of generating revenue. Taxes were
thus imposed as a convenient way to increase the country's income.
The British thought they had benefitted North American colonists during the Seven Years' War
by defending their homes from invasion. The results of British victory included territorial gains.
To the British, these gains directly benefited the lives of North American colonists. [Therefore],
the American colonies should pay a significant piece of the cost of acquiring new territory and
defending the colonies
The Heritage Foundation. The Declaration of Independence.
The Declaration of Independence defines all political idea in America: All men are created free
and equal and possess the same natural rights. Governments must be based on the consent of the
governed and must exist to secure these rights.

Primary Sources
Declaration of Independence provided to you. (Look at 27 grievances & preamble)
John Locke. Second Treatise of Civil Government, 1690
whenever the Legislators rule to take away and destroy the peoples property or enslave them,
they are declaring war on their own people, who are then no longer have to obey them... [Power
then] returns to the People, who have a Right to resume their original Liberty, and, establish a
new Legislative to provide new protection for the people, as the people see fit to rule.
The Dutch Declaration of Independence, 1581
A prince is appointed by God to be ruler of a people, to defend them from oppression and
violence. God did not create the people to be slaves to their prince, to obey his commands,
whether right or wrong, but rather the prince for the sake of the subjects to govern them
according to equity, to love and support them as a father his children and even risk his life to
defend them. And when he does not do this, but, instead, oppresses them, seeking opportunities
to infringe their customs, treating them like slaves, then he is no longer a prince, but a tyrant.
And particularly when this is done deliberately, they may not only stop obeying his authority, but
can choose a new prince This is the only method left for subjectsfor the defense of liberty,
even at the risk of their lives.
Charles Inglis. The True Interest of America Impartially Stated, 1776
By a reconciliation with Britain, our war with Britain will end, saving many lives. This Paine
says- "The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries, Tis time to part." I think they cry
just the reverse. The blood of the slain, the weeping voice of nature cries-It is time to be
reconciled; it is time to put aside our differences with Britain; it is high time that those who are
connected religion, kin and country, should resume their former friendship, and be united in
friendship, as we have shared interests.
Thomas Whately, Considerations on the Trade and Finances of This Kingdom, 1763.
We are not yet recovered from a War undertakenfor their Protection. No time was ever so
seasonable (appropriate) for claiming their assistance. The distribution is too unequal, of benefits
only to the colonies, and of all the Burdens upon the Mother Country.

Name:___________________________
Date:______________
Period:______________
Make a claim, supported with evidence and reasoning from the documents provided, answering
the following question: Were the colonists justified in declaring independence from Great
Britain? Support your claim with evidence from at least two sources, one primary source and
one secondary source.
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
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