Why were the British attempting to tax the colonies in 1770 Flashcards
What happened in the Seven Years War (1756-63)?
British and the colonial forces had driven the French our of Canafa and had been ceded all French land east of the Mississippi and most of the French Caribbean islands –> huge expansion in the BE with new borders to defend and new citizens to govern
3 new governmental and political responsibilities Britain had after the Seven Years War?
1) American territories would require a defence force to protect them from possible revenge attacks by the French and to protect the westward boundaries of the colonies from the Native Americsn attacks
2) govt needed ti be provided for the 80,000 citizens of French Canada who were now part of the BE
3) there needed to be a period of consolidation, therefore there should be no further expansion west by the American colonies
How did Britain pay for the war with France?
by increasing the national debt (British govt borrowed through the issue and sale of securities or bonds)- which doubled during the Seven years war, from £75m to £133m
Why were the colonies opposed to the British collecting duties? What was the colonial view on the proper way to raise money?
to the colonies it seemed that the British govt was trying to illegally extend their power –> to the colonists, the British actions represented an exercise in tyranny and must be oppressed
The colonal view: through colonial assemblies and this money was to be spent locally, not for the benefit of the Empire/ Britain
Who were the Agents of the Crown?
agents of the colonial govt, including customs officials
