Question

Jefferson gives a long list of grievances against the British. Quote at least TWO of them and explain what each of them mean by using your knowledge of the relationship between the colonists and the British on the eve of the Revolution .

Answer 1

Note: This response is in UK English, please paste the response to MS Word and you should be able to spot discrepancies easily. You may elaborate the answer based on personal views or your classwork if necessary.

(Answer) The following two points are exact quotes from Thomas Jefferson that he laid out against King George III.

1. He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.

2. He has forbidden his Governors to pass Laws of immediate and pressing Importance unless suspended in their Operation till his Assent should be obtained; and when so suspended, he has utterly neglected to attend to them.

King George was a tyrant king who did not particularly care about the well-being of the populace of the colony but rather about the profit they earned. This is evident in his behaviour that is outlined in the first point. Jefferson talks about how the king was negligent about enforcing laws and benefits that would be beneficial and necessary for the well-being of the people of his colony. Basic rights, amenities and protection were not even well taken care of.

King George only cared about the profitability of the colonies. That is the reason why Jefferson mentions in the second point that the king’s attention was only gained at the time of a strike. When the people would conduct a strike in order to get basic laws passed, King George would take notice. However, his tyranny and apathy would outweigh his desire for a successful colony that he would eventually ignore the strike as well.

The list these of grievances eventually led to a heightened discontent among the Americans. This discontent helped the people to overthrow the rule of the colonists and form the American constitution.