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Grievance #3 of the Declaration of Independence

Description

Why did the colonists start calling King George III a tyrant? It came down to one thing: representation.

In Grievance 3 of the Declaration of Independence, the colonists push back against British policies that blocked westward expansion and limited representation in colonial governments. Even when new districts were created, they weren’t allowed a voice.

For colonists, this wasn’t just about land, it was about power. More land should mean more representation. Without it, they believed their rights were being ignored.

Thomas Jefferson made it clear: without representation, the people were subject to the unchecked will of the king. That idea helped transform “Farmer George” into something else entirely, the Tyrant King.

This is Part 3 of our 27-part series breaking down every grievance that led to the American Revolution, building toward Independence Day.

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Portrait of Dr. C.C. Borzilleri, Content Specialist at BRI, with a background related to the Constitution Day event.

Grievance #1 of the Declaration of Independence

What actually pushed the American colonies to declare independence? It wasn’t just one moment, it was a list of 27 specific grievances against King George III that built over time. In this first video of our 27-part series, Dr. C.C. Borzilleri breaks down the big idea behind the Declaration of Independence and where those grievances come from. From the influence of the Magna Carta to John Locke’s natural rights, the Founders weren’t starting from scratch. They were building on centuries of ideas about freedom, government, and the rule of law. So what happens when a government stops protecting people’s rights? That question is at the heart of the Declaration and this series is here to unpack every single grievance, one by one. This video kicks off our Constitution Day Live programming starting September 1. Follow along as we break down the Declaration in a way that actually makes sense.

The Declaration of Independence primary source

Declaration of Independence

On June 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee brought what came to be called the Lee Resolution before the Continental Congress. This resolution stated “these United Colonies are, and of right ought to be, free and independent states ...” Congress debated independence for several days.

Dr. Susan Brynne Long, instructor at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, promotes Constitution Day 2026.

Grievance #2 of the Declaration of Independence

What happens when a government ignores its own laws? In Grievance 2 of the Declaration of Independence, the colonists call out King George III for refusing to approve important colonial laws and then completely neglecting them. As Dr. Susan Brynne Long explains, this wasn’t just frustrating, it made it nearly impossible for colonial governments to function. At the core of this grievance is a bigger idea: government exists to serve the people. Influenced by Enlightenment thinking, the colonists believed that when a government stops doing its job, the people have a responsibility to respond. This wasn’t a one-time complaint either. Thomas Jefferson raised the same issue years earlier, showing just how long this problem had been building and why it became a breaking point in 1776. This is Part 2 of our 27-part series breaking down every grievance in the Declaration of Independence, leading up to Independence Day.

Three historical figures seated at a round table, examining documents, in a room with windows and light-colored walls.

The Declaration of Independence Overview

Promotional graphic for a quiz featuring George Washington, celebrating Constitution Day with a historical theme.

27 Grievances of the Declaration of Independence Lyric Quiz

What were the grievances laid out in the Declaration of Independence? Help students define each grievance through modern song lyrics in our interactive quiz leading up to Constitution Day. This Constitution Day, BRI is highlighting the years between the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1776 and the Constitution in 1787.