Conciliatory Resolution facts for kids

The Conciliatory Resolution was a plan from the British Parliament. It aimed to find a peaceful way to settle problems with the Thirteen Colonies in America. This happened just two months before the American Revolutionary War began in 1775.

What Was the Conciliatory Resolution?

In January 1775, the British Parliament looked at many requests from the colonies. These requests were about new laws called the Coercive Acts. Parliament also discussed how to fix the growing problems with the Thirteen Colonies.

A leader named William Pitt suggested that the colonies should govern themselves. But the House of Lords, part of Parliament, said no. Pitt then tried to get British soldiers removed from Boston, but this idea also failed. In February, Pitt offered another peace plan, but it was rejected too.

On February 2, Parliament declared that Massachusetts was in rebellion. Then, Lord North, who was the Prime Minister, surprisingly took on a role to find a peaceful solution. He helped write the Conciliatory Resolution. It was proposed on February 20, 1775.

What Did the Resolution Say?

The Conciliatory Resolution stated that any colony that helped with defense and supported its own government would not have to pay most British taxes. They would only pay taxes needed for trade.

This resolution was sent to each colony individually. It purposely ignored the Continental Congress, which was a meeting of representatives from the colonies. Lord North hoped this would divide the colonists and weaken their push for independence.

How Did the Colonies React?

The resolution turned out to be "too little, too late." The American Revolutionary War started soon after, on April 19, 1775, in Lexington.

The Continental Congress, representing the Thirteen Colonies, rejected the plan. They felt it took away their special right to raise their own money.

However, one loyal colony, Nova Scotia, accepted the resolution. Nova Scotia suggested taxing goods from other countries to raise money. Parliament agreed and removed other taxes on Nova Scotia, except those for trade.

Why Did Congress Reject It?

The Continental Congress received the Conciliatory Resolution on May 26, 1775. After some time, they released a report on July 31, 1775, saying no to the plan.

Important leaders like Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and Richard Henry Lee helped write this report. They explained that the colonies believed they had the only right to decide how to raise their own money.

The Congress felt that letting Parliament control their money would be harmful. They also thought the offer was a trick to make them feel safe while Britain prepared for war. They remembered how Britain had treated Boston and burned Charlestown. The Congress believed that only their own efforts could save them from being forced to give in.