Question

student activity sheet: investigating the declaration of independence
grievances: group 1
directions:

1. read the complaints assigned to your group.
2. discuss each complaint with your group, and then answer the questions below.
3. select recorder, readers (2 - 3), and a presenter.

a recorder writes up the notes from the group discussion and hands them to the presenter. (group should discuss notes before being presented.)
the readers read the original complaints aloud to the class.
the presenter will read the groups responses to the class.
all members of the group will participate and give their ideas as the group discusses the complaints.
to prove this, let facts be submitted to a candid world.
he has refused his assent to laws, the most wholesome and necessary for the public good.
he has called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures.
he has dissolved representative houses repeatedly, for opposing with manly firmness his invasions on the rights of the people.
questions:

1. what is each complaint about? write a brief description of each complaint in your own words.
2. who is “he” that the colonists refer to in the grievances?
3. who are the colonists blaming for their grievances? why do you think they are blaming him?

Explanation:

1. The first complaint is about the refusal of assent to beneficial public - good laws. The second is about calling legislative bodies to inconvenient locations to tire them into compliance. The third is about dissolving representative houses for opposing rights - invasions.
2. "He" refers to the British King (King George III), who was the monarch during the time of the American colonies' grievances.
3. The colonists are blaming the British King. They blame him because he was seen as an oppressive ruler who violated their rights and made decisions that were not in their best interests.

Answer:

1. Complaint 1: Refusal of assent to beneficial public - good laws. Complaint 2: Calling legislative bodies to inconvenient locations to force compliance. Complaint 3: Dissolving representative houses for opposing rights - violations.
2. The British King (King George III).
3. The British King. He was seen as an oppressive ruler violating colonists' rights.