The Roots of Constitutional Government

Terms Continental Congress -group of colonial leaders who debated and implemented action plans regarding the colonists’ relations with Britain. Representation -elected leadership. Revolutionary -favoring great change. Repealed -to officially withdraw. Salutary Neglect -British policy that allowed American colonists to rule themselves so long as Britain also benefited. Unalienable Right -incapable of being taken away or transferred to another.

“To be always running 3,000 or 4,000 miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer which, when obtained, requires five or six more months to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness-there was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease.” Thomas Paine in Common Sense a.The time when colonists needed guidance and support from Britain has ended. b.England is between 3,000 and 4,000 miles from America by land. c.It takes more than five months to receive mail from Britain.

Reviewing the Main Ideas a. Explain why the colonists rebelled against Britain. The American colonists rebelled against Britain because they had begun to think of themselves more as Americans rather than English citizens. Another reason the colonists rebelled is that they resented the king and Parliament taxing them and telling them how to do things.

b. What did the Continental Congress do to establish American independence? The Continental Congress appointed a committee to prepare a document declaring the colonists’ independence from England and a list of grievances against England. In presenting the Declaration of Independence to the king, the Continental Congress had effectively declared war on England.

c.What are two basic human rights stated in the Declaration of Independence? Any of the following two: Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

Critical Thinking Why was Britain against American independence? Colonists supplied England with materials for British industry and they bought British-made goods. They also supplied taxes which were a source of revenue for Britain.