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An Act Against The Constitution Is Void Summary

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An Act Against The Constitution Is Void Summary
James Otis was another individual who devoted his time for fighting for the American rights. Previously a conservative Loyalist lawyer from Boston, the authorization of the Writs of Assistance triggered him to switch sides and protect the colonist’s cause. He believed that the process of labeling a suspect as guilty until proven innocent and holding their trials overseas in England was unconstitutional. In response to this, Otis gave a lengthy speech declaring that the writs contravened the natural rights of the colonists and this served as one of the first resistance towards British policies. He stated “An act against the Constitution is void; an act against natural equity is void. Taxation without representation is tyranny.8” Moreover, Otis …show more content…
Inglis was also keen on avoiding bloodshed so that’s why he believed working things out with Great Britain is a better solution for solving the issues between them and the colonists.
A large variety of factors, such as the Stamp Act, the Intolerable Acts, the French and Indian War, trade restrictions, and lack of British response (to reconciliation efforts) led to the beginnings of the American Revolution. Despite these grievances, there still existed many conflicting ideologies regarding the British. For example, there were those who wanted and did their utmost hardest to incite a war, such as Paine and Washington, and then there were those who wanted peace such as Dickinson and Inglis. The leaders of the war also realized that the only way to stand against the British, was by persuading the public to join the cause. This was done through the use of pamphlets, essays, sermons, speeches and political cartoons. Those who did not want a war to break out, also employed similar strategies, although they also used historical evidence to buttress their arguments. It is important to keep in mind, that the fair majority of the colonists weren’t radically on one side or the other; nevertheless, it was decided (through propaganda) that the benefits of war outweighed the
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