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In the decades leading up to the American Revolution, colonists formed many grievances against the British Crown. The American Colonists felt that their rights had been infringed upon by Parliament and that Britain was coming closer to full control of the colonies. These grievances, which later comprised the Declaration of Independence, were very valid.
The American charge against mercantilism in the colonies is an example of a valid grievance. Mercantilism was a theory that justified Britains control over trade in the colonies. This was done for Britains own economic well being, which was measured in gold and silver and increased by less imports and more exports.
Britain cut off the trade of the colonies with the rest of the world, for the sole purpose of decreasing their own imports and increasing their exports, making this grievance valid (Document B). Another valid grievance stated in the Declaration of Independence was that which made charges against Britain for repeatedly “dissolving Representative Houses.” In 1774, the Massachusetts Government Act was passed by Parliament, placing much Royal control in the colony(Document D). This was passed because of what Britain believed to be errant actions of colonists in Massachusetts, namely the Boston Tea Party. These errant actions, however, were justified because they were direct protests on Britain for infringing on colonists rights. For example, the Tea Act, which caused the Boston Tea Party, did lower the price of tea in the colonies, but it also favored the treatment of a major company, angering the colonists. The Americans also made charges against Britain for imposing taxes upon the colonies against their will. The colonists did not have a problem with external taxes because they could choose whether or not to pay them by deciding whether or not to buy a certain product (Document C). Internal taxes however, were greatly opposed because colonists had no choice but to pay