Final answer:
The Charter Oak is a symbol of freedom in Connecticut because of its association with the fight for self-government and individual liberties during British rule.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Charter Oak is a symbol of freedom in Connecticut because of the events surrounding it during the time of British rule. In 1685, James II tried to revoke the Connecticut Charter and sent Sir Edmund Andros to receive it for the Crown. However, Captain Joseph Wadsworth, a patriot, smuggled the charter out of the meetinghouse and hid it in a hollow oak tree. This act of defiance became known as the 'Charter Oak'.
The symbol of the Charter Oak represents the resistance of the colonists to British control and their fight for self-government and individual liberties. Just like the tree withstood attempts to cut it down, the people of Connecticut stood their ground and preserved their rights. Therefore, the Charter Oak became a powerful symbol of freedom and resistance during a critical time in Connecticut's history.