Question

Parliament passed the Stamp Act on March 22, 1765, to pay down its national debt... after defeating France in the Seven Years War

(1763). A year earlier, Parliament passed the Sugar Act, their first revenue-raising measure. Both taxes promised dire consequences in a
post-war economy. While the Sugar Act was a duty only on foreign goods, the Stamp Act taxed items within the colonies. Previously, only
colonial assemblies assumed responsibility for internal taxes.
Beginning November 1, 1765, legal documents, academic degrees, appointments to office, newspapers, pamphlets, playing cards, and dice
required embossing with a Treasury stamp as proof of payment of the tax. Colonial essayists, orators, and ordinary people responded with
cries of "slavery," "tyranny,"...
"Britain Begins Taxing the Colonies: The Sugar and Stamp Acts"
Boston National Historical Park, National Park Service
Based on the text, with which statement would the author agree regarding the causes of the American Revolution?
OA. The American Revolution began after Britain pursued a policy of taxation without representation in the colonies.
OB. The American Revolution began after Britain required colonists to serve in the French and Indian War.
OC. The American Revolution began after Britain failed to abandon forts in the Northwest Territory following the French and Indian War.
O D. The American Revolution began after Britain maintained a focus on salutary neglect toward the colonies.

Answer 1

Author favors tax without representation (A) as main cause of revolution. Text highlights unfair taxes imposed on colonies despite no say in Parliament, sparking cries of tyranny and slavery. Other options not strongly supported by the text.

Based on the provided text, the author would most likely agree with statement A: The American Revolution began after Britain pursued a policy of taxation without representation in the colonies.

Here's why:

The text explicitly mentions the Sugar Act and Stamp Act as "revenue-raising measures" imposed by Parliament on the colonies.

It emphasizes that these taxes were passed despite the colonies having no representation in Parliament, effectively highlighting the issue of "taxation without representation."

Colonial grievances are described as focusing on "slavery" and "tyranny," which were common terms used to portray the lack of self-governance and imposed burdens from an external power.

While the other options might have contributed to the colonists' discontent, the text doesn't provide strong evidence for their primary role in sparking the revolution:

Option B: The text primarily focuses on post-war taxation as a cause, not wartime service requirements.

Option C: While the text mentions the colonies' desire for Britain to abandon forts, it doesn't portray this as a primary cause of the revolution.

Option D: The text explicitly describes Parliament's policy as moving away from "salutary neglect" and towards more active intervention in colonial affairs through taxation, contradicting this option.

Therefore, based on the text's emphasis on taxation without representation as a key grievance, statement A aligns most closely with the author's likely viewpoint regarding the cause of the American Revolution.