Question

1) What do you see as the most important requests in the Olive Branch Petition?

Answer 1

Answer:

1. The most important requests include;

a. The repeal of the statutes and regulations imposed by the King on the colonists.

b. The request for peace between the King and the Subjects so as to avoid the outbreak of war.

2. The British American Colonists are seeking peaceful independence from the King's rule.

3. They speak respectfully of the King and the Parliament asserting their loyalty to his rule.

4. They seem to blame the King. This is because of his imposition of exorbitant taxes and levies ensuing from the Stamp Act on the people.

5. I would have considered their request for peace by inviting them to a meeting where their grievances would be discussed.

Explanation:

The Olive Branch Petition written by John Dickinson was drafted at a time when the colonists were seeking independence from the King. This was as a result of the sufferings they were made to undergo, stemming from the high taxes imposed on them to compensate the dwindling resources spent by the King in the war with France. They clearly wanted independence but without the consequence of war.  They also were asserting loyalty to the King. This seemed like two requests that could be hardly granted at the same time.

King George III did not read the letters not to talk of granting the request for he already declared war on the colonists prior to the time when they tendered the letters.