Early Americans’ preference for limited government was strengthened by
Select one:
a. ?their exposure to life under the British Parliament and some of the “rights of Englishmen.”
b. ?Lockean philosophy.
c. ?Britain’s treatment of the colonies after the French and Indian War.
d. ?taxation without representation.
e. ?All these answers are correct.
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is:
e. All these answers are correct.
Explanation:
Early Americans’ preference for limited government was shaped by multiple historical and ideological influences, all of which contributed to their strong desire for self-governance and resistance to tyranny.
- Exposure to British Government and Rights of Englishmen
The American colonists were familiar with the British system of government, including its constitutional monarchy and parliamentary structure. Many colonists believed they were entitled to the same rights as English citizens, such as trial by jury, property rights, and due process. The British legal traditions, including the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights (1689), reinforced the idea that government should be limited and that rulers should be accountable to the people. - Lockean Philosophy
The Enlightenment, particularly the writings of John Locke, greatly influenced American political thought. Locke argued for natural rights—life, liberty, and property—and the idea that government existed only by the consent of the governed. His concept of a “social contract” suggested that citizens had the right to overthrow a government that failed to protect their rights. These ideas were embedded in the Declaration of Independence and the later U.S. Constitution. - Britain’s Treatment of the Colonies After the French and Indian War
After the British victory in the French and Indian War (1754–1763), Britain imposed new taxes and restrictions on the colonies to recover war debts. This included measures like the Proclamation of 1763, which limited westward expansion, and new taxation policies that angered colonists. - Taxation Without Representation
The famous rallying cry of the American Revolution, “No taxation without representation,” stemmed from the colonists’ belief that they should not be taxed by the British Parliament without having elected representatives. The Stamp Act (1765) and Townshend Acts (1767) fueled resentment.
All these factors collectively strengthened the American preference for a government with limited power.