Questions: Question How did growing British patriotism in the eighteenth century shape ideas of liberty and freedom in the mainland colonies? Select an Answer A. Britons believed that power and liberty were complementary. B. British pride and patriotism, combined with a sense of the "rights of Englishmen," encouraged Britons on both sides of the Atlantic to protest what they considered oppressive authority. C. British identity and the concept of liberty fostered a belief among Britons in North America that freedom was universal. D. British patriotism and its accompanying concept of liberty gave rise to two competing sets of political ideas (republicanism and liberalism) that flourished in England but not in the colonies.

The answer is B: British pride and patriotism, combined with a sense of the "rights of Englishmen," encouraged Britons on both sides of the Atlantic to protest what they considered oppressive authority.

Explanation for each option:

A. Britons believed that power and liberty were complementary.

• This option is incorrect because, during the eighteenth century, Britons often viewed power and liberty as being in tension with one another. The prevailing belief was that unchecked power could lead to tyranny, and thus, liberty needed to be protected from the overreach of authority.

B. British pride and patriotism, combined with a sense of the "rights of Englishmen," encouraged Britons on both sides of the Atlantic to protest what they considered oppressive authority.

• This option is correct. The growing sense of British patriotism and the pride in being part of the British Empire were closely tied to the concept of the "rights of Englishmen." These rights included liberties such as trial by jury, protection from arbitrary arrest, and the right to representation. When colonists felt these rights were being infringed upon by British policies, it fueled protests and demands for greater autonomy.

C. British identity and the concept of liberty fostered a belief among Britons in North America that freedom was universal.

• This option is partially correct but not the best answer. While British identity and the concept of liberty did influence the belief in universal freedom, the primary driver for the colonists' actions was the perceived violation of their specific rights as Englishmen, rather than a broader, abstract notion of universal freedom.

D. British patriotism and its accompanying concept of liberty gave rise to two competing sets of political ideas (republicanism and liberalism) that flourished in England but not in the colonies.

• This option is incorrect. Both republicanism and liberalism did indeed flourish in the colonies as well as in England. The political discourse in the colonies was heavily influenced by these ideas, which contributed to the development of American political thought and the eventual push for independence.

In summary, the correct answer is B because it accurately captures how British patriotism and the sense of the "rights of Englishmen" led to protests against perceived oppressive authority in the mainland colonies.