AP Government study guide
Unit One Study Guide
1. a. Following the French and Indian War, Parliament placed the Sugar Act of 1764 on the colonies to pay for the expenses of the Seven Years War. This tax on goods such as sugar and coffee created great upset among the colonists. Following the Sugar Act came the Stampt Act of 1765, which mandated a stamp on all paper items bought and sold among the colonies. Colonists argued that these taxes enforced by British parliament were unjust because they lacked the opportunity to voice their opinion in the British Parliament. This lead to the famous saying, “no taxation without representation.” Both of these acts had a strong influence in the colonists decision to write The Declaration of Independence. In fact, the colonists even listed this in the Declaration as one of the many issues the they had with the King. Those who failed to participate and pay the required tax on specific goods were tried in court. However, if the judge concluded that the specific individual was guilty, they received a bonus in their salary, which provided an incentive for the judge to rule in opposition of the defendant. Colonists were furious that the judge could be bribed with money for ruling a specific way. In writing the Bill of Rights, a part of the Constitution, it is clearly stated that American citizens are guaranteed the right to trial by jury, forever eliminating the salary bonus of judges for a particular ruling. In addition, the King imposed the Coercive Acts of 1774 among the colonies. One act, known as the Quartering Act, mandated that colonists had to house British soldiers. In strong opposition to this act, it is stated in the third amendment of the Constitution that Americans will not have to provide housing for the military without first agreeing to the situation.
b. The ideas of American philosopher, John Locke, greatly influenced the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Locke believed that it was the responsibility go the
1. a. Following the French and Indian War, Parliament placed the Sugar Act of 1764 on the colonies to pay for the expenses of the Seven Years War. This tax on goods such as sugar and coffee created great upset among the colonists. Following the Sugar Act came the Stampt Act of 1765, which mandated a stamp on all paper items bought and sold among the colonies. Colonists argued that these taxes enforced by British parliament were unjust because they lacked the opportunity to voice their opinion in the British Parliament. This lead to the famous saying, “no taxation without representation.” Both of these acts had a strong influence in the colonists decision to write The Declaration of Independence. In fact, the colonists even listed this in the Declaration as one of the many issues the they had with the King. Those who failed to participate and pay the required tax on specific goods were tried in court. However, if the judge concluded that the specific individual was guilty, they received a bonus in their salary, which provided an incentive for the judge to rule in opposition of the defendant. Colonists were furious that the judge could be bribed with money for ruling a specific way. In writing the Bill of Rights, a part of the Constitution, it is clearly stated that American citizens are guaranteed the right to trial by jury, forever eliminating the salary bonus of judges for a particular ruling. In addition, the King imposed the Coercive Acts of 1774 among the colonies. One act, known as the Quartering Act, mandated that colonists had to house British soldiers. In strong opposition to this act, it is stated in the third amendment of the Constitution that Americans will not have to provide housing for the military without first agreeing to the situation.
b. The ideas of American philosopher, John Locke, greatly influenced the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence. Locke believed that it was the responsibility go the