Why did the British levy taxes against the colonists?

Answer 1

The reason any government levies taxes--to pay for services. In this case the taxes paid for the Redcoat's salaries, their guns, cannons, ships, etc. Part of the money also paid for the normal services any government must provide--courts, law enforcement, infrastructure, etc. And don't forget good old King George. He must get his share. That is his right, as the King of England. It would be interesting to see the breakdown of where the tax money went.

Answer 2

They really deserved to, because the French and Indian war was costly and fought in the colonies, but they went about taxing the colonists in an unfavorable manner. They dropped the tax on them without warning and the colonists complained because they had no one in Parliment to represent their resentment of the taxes.

Answer 3

After the British with the help of the colonists had defeated the French and their allies in the French and Indian War (1756-1763), they acquired much more territory in need of protection against Indian attacks, including not only soldiers but forts and weapons. The British were deeply in debt from the war. The British Parliament thought it was reasonable to tax the colonists to help pay for the increased cost of protection, even though it was mostly the British monarchy and not the colonists already in place who would mostly benefit from the expanded territory.

Answer 4

obviously, Britain basically owned the colonies. The could do whatever they wanted. It may not have been right, but it was legal.

Answer 5

The British government forced the colonists to pay taxes to recover for the French and Indian War

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

yes