How was the concept of liberty originally perceived in pre-Revolutionary America?
A) The ability to ensure Americans' traditional rights against the intrusions of a distant government.
B) The creation of a separate country apart from England.
C) The abolishing of all taxes imposed by England and the states.
D) The right to create an American military unit to protect against Native Americans and the French.
E) The right to decide which states would allow slavery.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In pre-Revolutionary America, the concept of liberty was primarily perceived as the ability to safeguard traditional rights against a distant government, especially in the context of England's intrusions. This included the right to trial by jury, the right to tax oneself, and the right to freedom of speech and religion. The American colonists believed that they had the same rights as Englishmen, and that these rights were being violated by the British government. The concept of liberty therefore meant the right to retain these rights and freedoms against government encroachment.

How Was the Concept of Liberty Originally Perceived in Pre-Revolutionary