Question

Why do people create, structure, and change governments? In making the case for

American independence from Great Britain, the Declaration of Independence states that

"governments long established should not be changed for light (unimportant] and

transient [temporary] causes." By the time these words were written, the colonies had

been under British rule for more than 150 years. In your opinion, did the colonists who

called for independence have good reasons for doing so? Had you been a colonist,

would you have supported independence or remained loyal to Great Britain? Think about

these questions and answer them in an essay. Support your position with facts you have

learned about what was happening in the colonies in the mid-1700s

Answer 1

1. Yes. The colonists who called for independence have good reasons for doing so

2. I would have supported independence from Great Britain.

Step-by-step explanation:

The colonists did not out of nowhere demand for independence. It was as a result of what was happening during the period (1764 to 1776). Most specifically following the aftermath of the French and Indian War. The war which was fought between Great Britain together with their American colonist's subjects against the French and their Native Indians allies in 1754 to 1763 led to Great Britain gaining more territories in North America.

However, this war led to Great Britain acquiring huge debts. To pay the debts, the King and English parliaments believed since the war was fought on American soil, the American colonists should pay for it. This led to the imposition of huge and unreasonable taxes on the colonists. These taxes include the Stamp Act in 1765, following the earlier imposed Sugar Act in 1764, the Currency Act in 1764, and the Quartering Act in 1765.

The American colonists felt these taxes are huge for them without any avenue to negotiate or determine the rate at which the tax should be imposed on them. Also, they felt the tax was a British means to crippled them economically and override them. So they demand representation if they were to continue to pay taxes. By this, they had hoped they would be able to negotiate or determine the rate to pay. When this agitation was not successful, they result in agitation for independence and nationalism. Hence, this was a tenable reason to demand independence and have a chance to determine how they want to be ruled.

On this note, as a colonist, the best decision is to advocate for independence. Because not only as a colonist we will be able to rule over ourselves against the tyrannical rule of the British King and parliaments. But also to put the fate of colonists in our own hands rather than external power.