Why the Colonies were morally justified

The colonists were morally justified for declaring independence for many reasons. Before 1763 the balance of power was fair, legislative assembly was elected by the people, all of the tax decisions were to be made by the colonial legislatures, the Governor could veto legislation, the jury consisted of American colonists and they made the decisions together and the Army was a colonial militia. But then Americans were cut loose from the Church of England and started governing on their own. When George III became king in 1760 he wanted to be a strong king. He started by removing Whig leaders from government. He had more power given over parliament and the American Colonies. He increased the number of government appointments and increased the military in America. The Proclamation of 1763, stopped any English settlement west of the Appalachian mountains and made those already settled in those regions to go back to the east in an attempt to ease tensions with Native Americans.  Then in 1764 the Sugar Act was passed to try and raise revenue. The Sugar Act increased the duties of sugar, coffee, wines, indigo and other things. The colonies were mad because it violated their rights. They were taxing without representation. Taxation without representation was a big reason for many people to revolt and stand up for their rights. The Currency Act stopped the colonies south of New England from issuing any legal tender paper money.  In 1765 the Quartering Act made the colonists house the British troops and supply them with food. This angered the colonists and is even a way of taking away their natural right of their own property and liberty.

                To anger the colonists even more, Britain said they can regulate and tax the colonies any way they want to or think is necessary and  the Stamp Act was passed. The Stamp Act made all printed materials taxed, including newspapers, pamphlets, bills, legal documents and licenses. This was the first direct tax on American colonies. This made them angry and continue to boycott with the thought of taxation without representation.  On the day it was to go into effect, there were no stamps available. 

                In 1774 they passed the Coercive Acts also known as the Intolerable Acts. Under the Coercive Acts were: Boston Port Act where they closed the port of Boston until East India Company was compensated. Massachusetts Government Act was when they brought the Massachusetts government under control of the crown.  Administration of Justice Act was when the royal officials no longer had to face trial in colonies.  George Washington called it the “murder act” because if people were not tried they would just be put to death, even if they could have been proven guilty.

                The first Continental Congress was made to stand up for their rights. They set up the Declaration and Resolves. In this they talked about economic sanctions, limit of the power and authority of the Parliament, they are entitled to the same rights as the Englishman and they brought up the natural rights for each man: life, liberty and property. The second Continental Congress came and said that the colonies were declared to be in open rebellion.

                I’ll be honest, I don’t really like history but I am grateful they declared independence. I think the main reason they had was their freedom. They were justified for wanting their own freedom and their natural rights. Everyone has a right for life, liberty, property and the pursuit of happiness. I think they were justified in boycotting all of the acts because they were all a perfect example of Taxation without representation. This is a valid reason to stand up for what you believe in and the pursuit of freedom.  The colonists felt they were being drained of capital, without having any say in the government that was doing so. I think a valid point may be gained by the historical fact of how many of the writers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution went home and freed their slaves. They all did not, but a good number immediately did so, and some after a period of time clearly designed to prevent economic upheaval first. Freedom was clearly a driving force in the founders of the United States of America.  I’m proud of the Americans that stood up for freedom and boycotted the Acts that were unfair. One of the purposes of the Declaration of Independence is to outline the natural rights and show that the colonists are correct and justified in wanting to declare independence. The colonists outline in the Declaration of Independence that they believe each person had a right to life, liberty and property. I believe that everyone does have a right to these natural rights. When we were talking in class about these different natural rights we brought up different situations that could test our rights. We talked about health care and I found it really interesting that if everyone was entitled to the health care, we would be taking away the liberty of the doctor to make that choice for us. We also talked about the situation with the donkey and that one man should not have to give away one of his donkeys just because someone doesn’t have any of his own. I also found it interesting when we talked about minimum wage. I believe minimum wage is a good thing because it makes sure people are getting paid what they are supposed to. I also think you can look at minimum wage as a way of taking away the liberty and property of the employer. It’s interesting to see these situations from different points of view. I think that is how it was with the colonies. I believe they were justified to declare independence because they were being treated unfairly and they believe their natural rights were being taken away. I do see that maybe Great Britain saw it from a different point of view and that is why it can be asked whether or not the colonies were justified. I believe they were justified in declaring independence.