Thomas Kil

Alex Lee
Ryan Gu
Alice Nam
Michelle Um
Justin Chung
Period 2

(British) Debate Opening Argument

Hello ladies and gentleman. This is Thomas Kil on the British of this debate arguing for our
actions on the American colonies. Though these acts and taxes that were imposed on the colonies may
seem harsh and unfair to the colonists, it is not. Our side will state adequate claims and contentions that
will prove that what the British government did is just and fair.
The British government has always supported and nurtured the American colonies. We have
enforced the frontiers of the American plains with our soldiers, cost free. Indian raids and the
encroachment of foreign countries such as the Spanish and the French has been prevented by our first
rate military force and naval supremacy. Through trade with the mother country, you colonists have
been able to flourish in your settlements. As the mother country, we exist for the benefit of the colonies.
Through virtual representation all our members in the Parliament exist for all British subjects,
including the colonists.
As a result of defending the colonies during the Seven Years' War, our government has fallen in
debt of 140 million pounds, half of which was incurred defending the American colonies. Is it not just
for the colonists to be taxed in behalf of their own country? The British government was dragged into
the war that was first catalyzed by George Washington. We are not demanding an outrageous price for
their service, just simple taxes and increases in duties by means such as the Sugar Act. The people who
reside in Britain have suffered far heavier taxes for two generations although they were not as obligated
as the Americans to pay. The Stamp Act in the colonies was just a portion of regular taxes in the mother
country. 7.5 million Britons payed taxes to ensure the safety of their colonies, and yet the 2.5 million
colonists refuse to pay even a third of their cost for the British defense. You colonists refused to pay
these taxes. You rebel and defy the nation that supplies your people with desirable materials and goods.
In some cases such as the Quartering Act, the colonists are not taxed and are asked simply to shelter
the soldiers that protect them. The colonists are selfish and cannot even give back to their own country.
However, the colonists clearly oppose such measures to support their mother country. In
defiance the colonists resorted to protesting. You betrayed your mother country by assembling the First
Continental Congress. Additionally, The Association was irrational with complete consumer boycotts
that suppressed importing, exporting, and consuming of British goods. As a result, the British textiles
were not sold and in turn, hurt the British economy. The Boston Tea Party also was an open rebellion
against the British Economy. The colonists bought one quarter of all our exports and as much as half of
the British shipping were directed at colonial trade. Not only did the British government suffer, but its
citizens as well. The British merchants, manufacturers, and shippers were all thrown out of work by the
colonial non-importation agreements. When in time of need, the colonists have turned their backs on
us.
Additionally, violent groups such as the Sons of Liberty and Daughters of Liberty harassed the
British officials. Even normal citizens molest these soldiers who are thousands of miles of away from
their home. Many of the colonists grumble about the Boston Massacre and the death of their citizens.
However, the soldiers were placed in those towns to enforce justice and peace. If a group of
townspeople taunted and threw snowballs at the soldiers, it is only logical for the soldiers to defend
themselves. A police officer does not exist to just stand and walk. Likewise, these soldiers were
stationed in these cities to prohibit dangerous and mischievous actions that will be harmful to the
British and the Colonists as well.
And as time passed, the colonial people showed more hatred and resentfulness toward the
British government. And so in fear of a rebellion we sent our troops to investigate Lexington and
Concord. The actions of the British government can only be viewed as equitable and impartial. We
provided for foreign territory in the New World for nearly two centuries and have supplied money,
protection, and social and religious freedom. What we get back is simply a disregard of our assistance,
and the egotistical desires of a minority of the colonists. The actions of the British government are
justifiable and the British have done the best to provide for a nonexistent country.