Chapter 2 Focus Activities: The Constitution 1. Common Sense and American independence The colonists' decision to declare independence followed years of conflict between the British Crown and the colonists. Their relationship began deteriorating in 1763 when, without colonial representation, the British Parliament passed laws that taxed the colonists. These laws included the Stamp Act (1765) and the Townshend Acts (1767). In 1774, Parliament passed the Coercive Acts to punish the colonists for the Boston Tea Party. The colonists responded by petitioning the king for a repeal of these acts. King George III did not respond to the colonists' requests because he believed that the colonists did not have the right to make such requests. After the king rejected a second petition in 1775, Thomas Paine anonymously published Common Sense in early 1776. In this pamphlet, Paine challenged the authority of the British government and royal monarchy. He advocated that the colonists declare independence from Britain, write a constitution, and create an effective government based on checks and balances. [A]s he hath shewn himself such an inveterate enemy to liberty, and discovered such a thirst for arbitrary power; is he, or is he not, a proper man to say to these colonies, "You shall make no laws but what I please." After matters are made up (as it is called) can there be any doubt, but the whole power of the crown will be exerted, to keep this continent as low and humble as