Name: Sabina Bacino

Period: 2

1Resolved: The American colonists were justified in their rebellion against Great Britain.

I. Supporting Paragraph One

A. Point
1. The colonists rights as Englishmen were violated when Great Britain took the possessions of the
colonists without paying for them.
B. Example(s) (Historical Evidence)
1.

As anger over the Stamp Act began to fade, Americans noticed another law passed by

Parliament in 1765. Called the Quartering Act, this law ordered colonial assemblies to provide British
troops with quarters, or housing (Hart 68).
2.

No constable [officer] or other *bailiff [sheriff] of ours shall take the corn or other chattels of

any one except he straightway give money for them (Magna Carta 1215).
C. Explain
1. The Quartering Act was passed to the colonists in 1765. This law demands that the colonists provide
British soldiers with housing and food. It is unfair because Great Britain did not pay for the materials
the colonists were providing for the soldiers.
2. In the Magna Carta law 28 clearly that an officer cannot take the food or possessions of another
without paying for it. The Quartering Act violates this law by taking the colonists possessions and
forcing them to pay for the soldiers possessions.
D. Explore (Analysis)
1. The Colonists rights as Englishmens rights were violated when Great Britain passed a law called The
Quartering Act, which took the possessions of the colonists without paying for it. The Magna Carta
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Name: Sabina Bacino

Period: 2

(1215) proves that the colonists rights are being violated in number 28, which says that an officer

cannot take anothers possessions unless he or she pays for it. Providing food for soldiers costs money,
and The Quartering Act is forcing colonists to provide food and oils as well as bedding and cooking
utensils for the soldiers, and Great Britain is not paying for it. The 28th law in the Magna Carta proves
the colonists rights as Englishmen were being violated during The Quartering Act in 1765.

Refutation - Identify and disprove the oppositions main argument(s).

II. Refutation Paragraph
A. Oppositions Point (Great Britains Argument)
1. Parliament has the right and authority to make laws and demand taxes of British colonists living in
America.
B. Colonists Counter-Point (Refutation)
1. The colonists have been in salutary neglect for 156 years and it is unfair for them to be taxed by
Great Britain, when they have been living under self-government for 156 years.
C. Example(s) (Historical Evidence)
1. From 1607 to 1763, the unwritten British policy for governing the American colonies was referred to

as salutary neglect (Gaudet).

2. Beginning with the colonial assembly of the House of Burgesses in Jamestown, Virginia (1619), each

of the 13 colonies developed its own legislative body for making laws and taxes (Gaudet).
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Name: Sabina Bacino

Period: 2

3. When the expenses of the French and Indian War began to take its toll, Britain decided that the time
had come for it to end its policy of neglect and reassert its authority and control over its North
American colonies (What is Salutary Neglect?).
4. No scutage or aid may be levied in our kingdom without its general consent (Magna Carta 1215).
D. Explain
1. The colonists were under salutary neglect for 156 years. To be in salutary neglect means that the
enforcement of Parliament law was not severe.
2. When the pilgrims first migrated to Virginia in 1619, the pilgrims developed a legislative body for
making laws in taxes by self-governing. They did this for many years and succeeded.
3. Great Britain decided to tax the colonists because loss of money from the French and Indian war. This
isnt just unjust; it also violates right number 12 in the Magna Carta.
4. When Great Britain is laying taxes upon the colonists without their permission, Britain is violating
their rights as Englishmen. In the Magna Carta right number 12 states that the British cannot demand
taxes upon the colonists without their general consent.
E. Explore (Analysis)
1. If the colonists were in salutary neglect for 156 years, Great Britain should not be allowed to demand
taxes upon them and govern them because the colonists are used to self-governing, as they have been
doing since the pilgrims arrived in Virginia. While this was happening the British the colonists in
salutary neglect leaving them to take care of themselves. After the French and Indian War there were
many expenses so Great Britain decided to demand taxes upon the colonists after neglecting them for
156 years. This is unfair to the colonists and violates right number 12 in the Magna Carta that states
that no payment or taxes can be passed on the people without their permission.
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Name: Sabina Bacino

Period: 2

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