(Source: Lostpine — The 27 Grievances Explained)
🔹 1. Original Grievance
“He has kept among us, in times of peace, Standing Armies without the Consent of our legislatures.”
🔹 2. What This Meant to the Colonists
British troops were stationed in the colonies even during peace, without approval from colonial governments. Colonists saw this as a threat to liberty.
🔹 3. Historical Context
After the French and Indian War, Britain kept a permanent army in the colonies. By the 1770s, colonists viewed the army as an enforcement tool for taxes and control. The occupation of Boston by General Gage intensified tensions.
🔹 4. Constitutional Response
- Article I, Section 8 — Congress controls raising armies.
- Congress must approve military funding every two years. This prevents a standing army from being used against the people.
🔹 5. Key Vocabulary
- Standing army
- Legislature
- Occupation
🔹 6. Critical Thinking Questions
- Why did colonists fear a standing army in peacetime?
- How does the Constitution limit military power?
- Why is civilian control of the military important?
🔹 7. Short Writing Prompt
Explain how Grievance 11 reflects the colonists’ fear of military oppression.
🔹 8. Extension Activity
Create a timeline showing key events involving British troops in Boston.