Parliament

Definition

Parliament is the legislative body of government in the United Kingdom, consisting of the House of Lords and the House of Commons. It is responsible for passing laws, approving government budgets, and holding the executive branch accountable. The role of Parliament is central to understanding the context of the aftermath of the French and Indian War, as well as the events surrounding the Stamp Act and the Sons and Daughters of Liberty.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Parliament's decision to impose the Stamp Act on the American colonies in 1765 was a key factor in the growing tensions between Britain and its colonies, leading to the American Revolution.
2. The French and Indian War (1754-1763) had left the British government with a significant national debt, and Parliament sought to raise funds through new taxes and duties on the colonies, including the Stamp Act.
3. The Sons and Daughters of Liberty, a group of American colonists, organized protests and boycotts against the Stamp Act, ultimately leading to its repeal in 1766.
4. The conflict between Parliament's legislative authority and the American colonies' desire for self-governance was a major driver of the American Revolution.
5. The establishment of a representative government, independent of the British Parliament, was a key goal of the American Revolution and the foundation of the United States government.

Review Questions

• Explain how Parliament's decision to impose the Stamp Act on the American colonies contributed to the growing tensions leading up to the American Revolution.
  • Parliament's decision to impose the Stamp Act on the American colonies in 1765 was a significant factor in the growing tensions between Britain and its colonies. The Stamp Act, which required the use of special stamps on various legal and commercial documents, was seen by the American colonists as a form of taxation without representation, as they had no direct representation in the British Parliament. This led to widespread protests and the formation of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, who organized boycotts and other acts of resistance against the Stamp Act. The conflict between Parliament's legislative authority and the American colonies' desire for self-governance was a major driver of the American Revolution, ultimately leading to the establishment of a representative government independent of the British Parliament.
• Describe the role of the French and Indian War in Parliament's decision to impose new taxes and duties on the American colonies.
  • The French and Indian War (1754-1763) had left the British government with a significant national debt, and Parliament sought to raise funds through new taxes and duties on the American colonies, including the Stamp Act. The war had been fought largely on American soil, and the British government felt that the colonies should bear a greater share of the financial burden. However, the American colonists resisted these new taxes, as they had no direct representation in the British Parliament. This conflict over taxation and representation was a key factor in the growing tensions between Britain and its colonies, ultimately leading to the American Revolution and the establishment of an independent United States government.
• Analyze the impact of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty's organized protests and boycotts against the Stamp Act on Parliament's decision to ultimately repeal the legislation.
  • The organized protests and boycotts of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty, a group of American colonists, played a significant role in Parliament's decision to repeal the Stamp Act in 1766. The colonists' resistance to the Stamp Act, including widespread civil disobedience, economic boycotts, and even violence, demonstrated the strength of the American opposition to Parliament's attempts to impose new taxes without their consent. This strong public reaction, combined with the economic impact of the boycotts on British trade, ultimately led Parliament to reconsider the Stamp Act and repeal the legislation. The success of the Sons and Daughters of Liberty in mobilizing public opinion and forcing the repeal of the Stamp Act was a pivotal moment in the growing conflict between the American colonies and the British government, further fueling the desire for greater self-governance and independence.

Related terms

House of Lords: The upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, composed of the nobility, clergy, and other appointed members who hold seats by virtue of their hereditary titles or appointments.

House of Commons: The lower house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom, composed of elected representatives who are responsible for debating and passing legislation.

British Monarchy: The system of constitutional monarchy in the United Kingdom, where the monarch serves as the head of state, but the power of the government is exercised by the Parliament.