Liberty Ledger Assignment
Liberty Ledger
Review of Colonial Grievances & British Law
Name: ________________________________ Date: _______________
The year is 1765. Tension is rising across the thirteen colonies. Was King George III a tyrant, or a leader trying to protect his empire? Examine the acts below and decide if colonial protests were justified.
1. The Navigation Acts
The Law: Colonists could only trade certain goods (like tobacco) with England using British ships.
BRITISH VIEW "We protect your trade with our navy; you must support our economy in return."
PATRIOT VIEW "We should be free to sell our goods to anyone for a better price. This is greed!"
Was the protest justified? Why?
2. Proclamation of 1763
The Law: Forbade colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains to avoid Native American wars.
BRITISH VIEW "Peace is expensive. We cannot afford to defend you if you keep moving west."
PATRIOT VIEW "We fought for that land! You are trapping us along the coast to keep us weak."
Was the protest justified? Why?
3. The Stamp Act (1765)
The Law: A tax on all printed materials (legal papers, newspapers). A British stamp had to be purchased.
BRITISH VIEW "Wars are costly. You must pay your fair share for the soldiers stationed here."
PATRIOT VIEW "No taxation without representation! We have no vote in Parliament."
Was the protest justified? Why?
The Verdict
PART A
Methods of Protest
Colonists took action through boycotts, petitions, and sometimes harassment of tax collectors (Sons of Liberty).
Do you think aggressive protests were necessary to get Britain's attention, or should they have stayed peaceful? Explain.
PART B
The Final Argument
Imagine you are a merchant in 1765. You rely on British trade, but you hate the new taxes. Which side has the stronger argument? Support your answer with at least one specific act from the front page.
Liberty (Patriot)
Loyalty (British)
Colonial Grievances Review • 1763-1765
