Final answer:
The colonial protests about their rights as Englishmen predominantly referenced the rights outlined in the English Bill of Rights, which included life, liberty, and property.
Step-by-step explanation:
When colonists protested about their rights as Englishmen, the rights they referred to were primarily those specified in the English Bill of Rights. These rights included the right to life, liberty, and property. The English Bill of Rights of 1689 was a pivotal document that not only outlined the rights of English citizens but also served as a guarantee to these liberties. The colonists argued that since they were not represented in the Parliament, they were not subject to the laws and taxes imposed by that body. This led to clashes on issues involving taxation, regulation of trade, and the rights of English under the British constitution. The concept of 'virtual representation' presented by the British was not sufficient for the colonists, who insisted on direct representation as a part of their civil rights. The protection under the law of the realm and the insistence on consent before being subject to foreign power's disposal of their rights, were fundamental to their arguments. The rights that the colonists referred to when they protested about their rights as Englishmen were a combination of several factors. These included the rights specified in the English Bill of Rights, their rights to life, liberty, and property, and the freedom to trade with whomever they pleased. The colonists also believed they had the rights to regulate their own colonial affairs.
The English Bill of Rights, passed in 1689, guaranteed certain liberties and protections for English citizens, including the rights to life, liberty, and property. These rights heavily influenced the U.S. Constitution and Bill of Rights. The colonists argued that they had not consented to direct taxation and that taxation without representation was a violation of their rights as English subjects.
To summarize, the rights referred to by the colonists when protesting about their rights as Englishmen included the rights specified in the English Bill of Rights, their rights to life, liberty, and property, the freedom to trade with whom they pleased, and the rights to regulate colonial affairs.