CR - British policy 1763-64

Question 1

What was the standing debt following the 7-years war? And what was the Interest?

Answer 1

£122 million - with interest payments of £4.4 million a year

Question 2

What were Grenville’s reasons for why he said the colonies should accept a higher tax burden in the aftermath of the 7-years war?

Answer 2

• The nation has run into debt to defend the colonies, so the colonies should have to pay (in addition to the fact that Britain is having to pay it’s share too)
• British parliament is sovereign - and so carries ultimate legislative authority
• If taxes are withdrawn because of discontent, no one would ever pay taxes

Question 3

Who famously said “Taxation without representation is tyranny”?

Answer 3

James Otis

Question 4

What problem was the anti-smuggling legislation (1763) meant to address?

Answer 4

-To reduce smuggling
-Estimated loss of around £700,000 annually through smuggling
-To reduce the trade laws being evaded - in particular the Navigation Acts

Question 5

What were the key features of the anti-smuggling legislation (1763)?

Answer 5

• Crown-appointed judge in vice-admiralty courts to judge the smuggling offences
• Customs officials were to reside in America
• Customs officials accepting bribes would be fined £500 and be banned from government posts

Question 6

What were the reasons for colonial opposition relating to the anti-smuggling legislation (1763)?

Answer 6

• Lost a sense of colonial autonomy through losing the ability to govern themselves
• Was a clear indication of an abandonment of salutary neglect

Question 7

What problem was the sugar act (1764) meant to address?

Answer 7

• The 6d per gallon duty was rarely enforced

Question 8

What were the key features of the sugar act (1764)?

Answer 8

• Reduced the duty to 3d
• Duty would be strictly enforced by vice-admiralty crown court

Question 9

What were the reasons for colonial opposition relating to the sugar act (1764)?

Answer 9

• Signified an end to salutary neglect
• Previously, custom duties were only used to regulate trade whereas now this was to raise revenue

Question 10

What problem was the currency act (1764) meant to address?

Answer 10

• Debt was being payed by paper money - which was different in the colonies = inflation

Question 11

What were the key features of the currency act (1764)?

Answer 11

• Ban colonial currency

Question 12

What were the reasons for colonial opposition relating to the currency act (1764)?

Answer 12

• Led to bankruptcy - making it difficult to fulfil debts - caused an economic depression