As stated previously in this lesson, American colonists had plenty of complaints against the British government. According to the Library of Congress "Creating The Declaration of Independence" website, Jefferson accused the King of "a long train of abuses" that not only justified but also demanded the overthrow of the oppressive government.
The following excerpt is from the Declaration of Independence.
But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security.
Analyzing an excerpt - What does "a long train of abuses and usurpations" mean? According to the excerpt, what remedy do people have against the train of abuses?
The writers of the Declaration of Independence listed many of the grievances that the colonists had against the King. A few of the grievances are listed below as they are written in the Declaration of Independence. Read them carefully and answer the questions that follow in your notes.
He has refused his Assent to Laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public Good.
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The King vetoed or abolished laws that secured the individual rights of colonists. For example, King George vetoed any attempt to abolish the slave trade in the colonies because slavery was a profitable trade for Great Britain.
For imposing Taxes on us without our Consent.
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After the imposition of taxes such as the Stamp Act and the Sugar Act, colonists continued their protest of "no taxation without representation. The colonists were protesting the lack of consent of the governed (popular sovereignty.)