Which political party was dominant in Parliament around the time of colonial unrest?

The Whigs were the dominant political party in Parliament during the period leading up to colonial unrest in the American colonies, particularly in the 1760s and 1770s. This era was marked by significant tension between the British government and the colonies, primarily over issues such as taxation without representation and various trade regulations.

The Whigs were generally seen as more supportive of colonial interests and critical of royal authority. They often advocated for reforms and were more receptive to the concerns of the colonies compared to their rivals, the Tories. The Tories, aligned with the monarchy and more conservative in their outlook, favored a stronger central authority and were less sympathetic to the colonists’ grievances. Thus, during the time of colonial unrest, it was the Whigs who articulated opposition to oppressive measures imposed on the colonies and played a key role in shaping public opinion against British policies.

The Democrats and Federalists were not yet prominent political forces in this context. The Democratic-Republican Party, which would emerge in the early 19th century, and the Federalists, who rose to prominence after the Constitution was ratified, were not relevant to the discussions and tensions surrounding the American Revolution. Consequently, the Whigs' prominence during the period of unrest is reflective