Trace the changes in the constitutional arguments presented by the colonists against the actions of Parliament from 1764 to 1774. Why did these changes occur? Why are the changes significant?

The constitutional arguments presented by the colonists against the actions of Parliament evolved significantly from 1764 to 1774. In 1764, the colonists primarily argued that Parliament did not have the authority to tax them without their consent, as they were not represented in Parliament. This argument was encapsulated in the famous slogan "no taxation without representation."

However, by 1774, the colonists' constitutional arguments had expanded to include broader grievances against Parliament's infringement on their rights and liberties. They argued that Parliament's actions, such as the Intolerable Acts, violated their natural rights as Englishmen and were a breach of the social contract between the government and the governed.

These changes occurred for several reasons. First, the colonists' experiences with Parliament's actions, such as the Stamp Act and the Townshend Acts, led them to develop a more comprehensive understanding of their constitutional rights and the limitations of Parliament's authority. Additionally, the increasing tensions and conflicts between the colonists and the British government prompted a reevaluation of their constitutional arguments and a shift towards a more radical stance against Parliament's actions.

The changes in the colonists' constitutional arguments are significant because they reflect the growing radicalization and unity among the colonists in their opposition to British rule. The shift from a narrow focus on taxation without representation to a broader critique of Parliament's infringement on their rights laid the groundwork for the eventual Declaration of Independence and the American Revolution. It also demonstrates the colonists' evolving understanding of constitutional principles and their willingness to challenge the authority of the British government in defense of their liberties.