British Policies and American Reaction

What was the purpose of the Proclamation of 1763?

• To prevent colonists from living west of the Appalachian Mountains

• To encourage westward expansion and the fur trade

• To establish peace between Native Americans and settlers

• To enforce new taxes on the colonies

Answer explanation

The Proclamation of 1763 was a decree issued by the British crown to prevent colonists from living west of the Appalachian Mountains. The aim was to avoid conflict with Native Americans by setting a clear boundary for colonial expansion. This proclamation did not encourage westward expansion or the fur trade, nor was it designed to establish peace between Native Americans and settlers or enforce new taxes on colonies.

Why did the British government issue new taxes on the colonies?

• To pay for the troops and debts from the French and Indian War

• To encourage colonists to pay their fair share

• To punish colonists for smuggling

• To assert control over the colonies

Answer explanation

The British government issued new taxes on the colonies primarily to cover the costs incurred during the French and Indian War. This war led to a significant increase in Britain's national debt, and stationing troops in North America was also costly. Therefore, the British turned to the colonies for revenue, hence the new taxes.

What did the Sugar Act of 1764 do?

• Lowered the tax on imported molasses

• Increased the tax on imported molasses

• Allowed officers to seize goods without going to court

• Established the right to trial by jury for accused smugglers

Answer explanation

The Sugar Act of 1764 was a regulation imposed by the British on the American colonies. The act did not increase the tax on imported molasses, but rather reduced it. This was an attempt to discourage smuggling and encourage colonists to pay the tax by offering them a cheaper, legal alternative.

Why were the colonists angered by the Sugar Act?

• They believed it violated their rights as British citizens

• They thought the tax on molasses was too high

• They wanted to support the British government

• They were concerned about the fur trade

Answer explanation

The colonists were angered by the Sugar Act because they believed it violated their rights as British citizens. This act imposed a tax on molasses, which they felt was unfair and disagreed with their rights. They did not feel the tax was too high, rather it was the principle of the issue that upset them. Their anger was not related to supporting the British government or concerns about the fur trade.

What did the Stamp Act Congress declare?

• Only colonial assemblies could tax the colonists

• The king and Parliament had the right to tax the colonists

• The colonists should boycott British goods

• The Stamp Act should be repealed

Answer explanation

The Stamp Act Congress, held in 1765, was an assembly of delegates from the American colonies. They came together to protest against the Stamp Act imposed by the British government. One of the significant declarations made at this congress was that only the colonial assemblies had the authority to tax the colonists, not the British Parliament or king. This is why the answer to the question is 'Only colonial assemblies could tax the colonists'.

What did the Declaratory Act state?

• Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies

• Only colonial assemblies had the right to tax the colonists

• The Stamp Act was unconstitutional

• The colonists should have representation in Parliament

Answer explanation

The Declaratory Act was a law passed by the British Parliament in 1766 during the American Revolution, stating that Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies in all cases. It was enacted after the repeal of the Stamp Act to assert Parliament's authority over the colonies. Hence, the correct answer to the question is 'Parliament had the right to tax and make decisions for the colonies'.

Why did Parliament pass the Townshend Acts?

• To tax imported goods and raise revenue

• To encourage colonists to buy British goods

• To punish the colonists for boycotting

• To assert control over the colonies

Answer explanation

The Townshend Acts were passed by Parliament to tax imported goods and raise revenue. This was not done to encourage colonists to buy British goods, nor to punish them for boycotting or to assert control over the colonies. The main purpose was raising money.

How did women protest the Townshend Acts?

• By supporting a boycott of British goods

• By demanding representation in Parliament

• By organizing protests in colonial cities

• By burning effigies of tax collectors

Answer explanation

The Townshend Acts were a series of British acts of Parliament passed during 1767–68. Women, like men, protested these acts using various methods. The correct choice is 'By supporting a boycott of British goods'. Women showed their dissent by boycotting British goods, a peaceful yet powerful form of protest that directly impacted the British economy.

What did some women's groups call themselves during the protests?

• Daughters of Liberty

• Sons of Liberty

• Burgesses of Liberty

• Colonial Assemblies

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Daughters of Liberty'. During the protests, many women's groups named themselves 'Daughters of Liberty' as a symbol of their patriotic resistance. This name signifies their active involvement in the struggle for freedom and liberty. The other options 'Sons of Liberty', 'Burgesses of Liberty' and 'Colonial Assemblies' are not accurate in this context.

What did the British learn from the Stamp Act?

• The colonists would resist internal taxes

• The British would repeal any unpopular laws

• The colonists needed representation in Parliament

• The British had the right to tax the colonists

Answer explanation

The Stamp Act was a tax law enacted by the British in 1765, which demanded that all printed materials in the colonies be produced on stamped paper from London. This act led to widespread protest in the American colonies and taught the colonists to resist internal taxes imposed by the British. Hence, the correct option is 'The colonists would resist internal taxes'.