Final answer:
John Wesley wrote 'Calm Address to Our American Colonies' in opposition to the American Revolution, advocating for peace between the colonies and Britain, in a context where discussions on freedom also touched upon the issue of slavery.
Step-by-step explanation:
“Calm Address to Our American Colonies” was written by John Wesley in opposition to the American Revolution. Wesley, a prominent religious leader and the founder of Methodism, was advocating for peace and reconciliation between the American colonies and Great Britain. He wrote in opposition to the escalating conflict and the push for American independence. Notably, the American Revolution was a period of intense debate and division, with arguments ranging from those over internal taxation to the irony of colonists advocating for their freedom while denying it to enslaved Africans. It's important to highlight that during this time, voices were also raised against slavery. Prominent Quakers, as well as figures like James Otis and Arthur Lee, strived to align the cause of independence with the cause of emancipation, although their opinions were not universally accepted.