Source R The violence unleashed by the common rabble against the stamp distributor and the property of Lieutenant Governor Hutchinson has exceeded anything ...

This question asks you to evaluate the reliability of a source about colonial opposition to the Stamp Act. You must consider the content, provenance, and your own knowledge.

What the source says: The Royal Governor of Massachusetts (September 1765) describes violent opposition to the Stamp Act, including the destruction of Lieutenant Governor Thomas Hutchinson's house by a mob. He characterises the rioters as "common rabble" from "the lowest ranks of society" who are being manipulated by "a small group of merchants and lawyers." He insists that "ordinary colonists remain loyal" and recommends that London send troops to enforce the Act.

What the source gets right: The specific events described are historically documented. The attack on stamp distributor Andrew Oliver and the destruction of Hutchinson's house in August 1765 did occur. These were real acts of mob violence against representatives of British authority.

Where the source is unreliable: The governor's interpretation is shaped by his position and purpose. He was reporting to London, where he needed to appear in control and reassure his superiors that opposition was limited. His claim that "ordinary colonists remain loyal" was contradicted by evidence. The Stamp Act Congress (October 1765), which brought together representatives from nine colonies, demonstrated broad, organised opposition across social classes. Organised boycotts of British goods were widespread. The Sons of Liberty, whom the governor dismisses as self-interested manipulators, drew support from a broad social base. His confidence that "firm enforcement" would restore order proved badly wrong: the Stamp Act was repealed in March 1766 because it was unenforceable.

Reaching Level 3 (6-7 marks): The best answers recognise that the source reveals more about British officials' misunderstanding of colonial opinion than about the actual character of the opposition. The governor's dismissal of broad resistance as the work of a manipulated mob was a serious misjudgement. A top-level answer uses both the source's factual details (which are partially reliable) and its interpretive framework (which is deeply unreliable) to make a nuanced reliability judgement.