Which document asserted that there should be no British legislation affecting the colonies without their representation?

Study for the CLEP US History 1 Test. Immerse in flashcards and multiple choice questions, each complete with hints and explanations. Get ready for your exam!

The Virginia Resolves were a series of resolutions passed by the Virginia Assembly in 1765 in response to the Stamp Act. One of the key assertions in these resolutions was the principle that there should be no British legislation affecting the colonies unless the colonies were represented in the British Parliament. This was a significant declaration at a time when the colonies were increasingly frustrated with taxation and laws imposed by a government in which they had no direct representation.

The sentiment expressed in the Virginia Resolves contributed to the growing movement towards independence and the idea of "no taxation without representation," which became a central theme in the American Revolution. By asserting that only a colonial assembly could legislate for the colonies, the Virginia Resolves highlighted early colonial resistance to British authority and established a foundation for the colonies' quest for self-governance.

In contrast, the other options, such as the Declaratory Act, Townshend Act, and Tea Act, were all legislative measures enacted by Britain that imposed various forms of taxation and regulation on the colonies, without addressing the issue of representation that the Virginia Resolves sought to spotlight.

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