Grievances of the Colonists during the American Revolution essays

Grievances of the Colonists during the American Revolution essays The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776. This document stated that the American colonies were now the United States of America, and were now an independent country, separate from Britain. This document also explains to the world the reasons for the revolt against the British. The grievances that were felt by the colonists and their reactions to certain events were justified, and were also stated in this document. The Sugar Act in 1764 did not effect colonists outside of the traders and merchants, but it was an injustice that the colonists suffered. The Sugar Act did three things; it halved the duty on foreign-made molasses, placed duties on certain imports that had never been taxed before, and it strengthened the enforcement of the law allowing prosecutors to try smuggling cases in a vice-admiralty court rather than a colonial court. These taxes were imposed to help pay off Britains large war debt. Many merchants and traders protested that it was taxation without representation because the colonists had not elected any representatives. They also claimed that the British government had violated their rights, but these charges were unheard by the British. Although many colonists were unaffected by the Sugar Act, those that were affected had cause for concern and anger. This injustice was justified because the colonists had not elected representatives, they were not being tried fairly i n court, and their rights were being violated. In 1767, new taxes were imposed on the colonists. These new taxes were a part of the Townshend Acts, which put an indirect tax on imports such as glass, lead, paint, and paper. It also put a three-penny tax on tea. The Townshend Acts were created to gain revenue from the American colonies. Unfortunately for the British, the colonists reacted with rage against these new taxes. The educated people said it was taxation without representation. The colonist...