Resistance To Laws During The American Revolution

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Freedom of speech has been a right of the people since the establishment of the Constitution. Since the role of the government is to serve the people, if the people were to become unsatisfied, they have the right to protest. This reinforces the idea that citizens are a crucial part of a prosperous nation, thus, they should have the right to choose who they are governed by and how they are governed.. Thus, peaceful resistance to laws has a positive impact on a free society. Since the existence of the United States, official documents have been created to protect the rights of the people. Each of these documents had been shaped by the thoughts and beliefs of prominent thinkers. For instance, English philosopher John Locke greatly influenced the American Revolution, which later led to ideologies conveyed in the Declaration of Independence. He strongly supported the concept that the government is morally obligated to protect the people and uphold their rights to life, liberty, and property. He also believed …show more content…

Even before the American Revolution, colonists often gave intellectual speeches to crowds in order to passively voice their opinions. These speeches inspired others to stand against the injustices they faced as a result of the British Parliament’s assertion of dominance over the colonies. Laws such as the Intolerable Acts were passed in an attempt to restrain and control the colonies. However, these laws were met with great resistance. In 1775, Patrick Henry closed his speech during the Second Virginia Convention with “Give me liberty, or give me death!" His powerful words resonated with the people and encouraged them to stand up for their rights. These peaceful protests were stepping stones that led to the American Revolution, which significantly changed society for the better. However, it could not have happened had it not been for the peaceful yet powerful protests