How and why did the Americans and the British differ in the view of taxation and of the relationship of colonies to the empire?

Answer 1

The British believed they should be able to tax the American colonies and the colonies believed that they should not be taxed since they were not represented in Parliament. This contributed to the Revolutionary War.

Answer 2

This is the original answer with several misspellings:

the British didn't really care whether or not the colonies agree to paying taxes or not. they just want money. the colonists feel that theBritish actions violated their rights to be secure. James Otis, a Boston lawyer said, "No parts of [England's colonies] can be taxed without consent... every part has a right to be represented."I'm only 12 when i read that over it sounded really smart at the end about the colonies :)____________________________________________________________________

This is my answer, in which I am simply rephrasing with correct spelling and punctuation:

The British did not care whether or not the colonists minded their taxes. All they wanted was more money. The colonists felt as though the actions of the British violated their rights to be secure.

I did not delete the original part because it was, in fact, a very good answer and it was correct. I just typed my version of it down here so that you would have a greater variety of answers to this question, but thank you to the person who first answered it!!! :)

Hope i was of good assistance!! :)

Answer 3

"American" view: (1) During the late 17th century, the American national identity began to emerge. Before this colonists simply believed themselves to be "transplanted Englishmen". Due to this emerging "national identity" colonists began to resent British efforts to interfere with their economy. (2) This is furthered by the fact that the colonists are just now emerging from a period of "salutatory neglect" meaning they were largely left alone by England in regards to their economy. Colonists fully enjoyed this period and are resentful of British hindrance in their affairs. (3) Lastly, the colonists had just finished up with the French and Indian War/ The Seven Year's War and no longer are faced with the threat of the French Catholics on their borders (With the Treaty of Paris that ended this war, French is removed from American soil). While the British troops were quite useful in protecting colonists from this threat, as it no longer exists the colonists see no need for British interference.

British view: The major imperialistic powers of this time viewed their respective colonies with the ideology of mercantilism. That is, the main purpose of colonies were to provide the "mother country" with supplies and trading ports. This proved true in the way that the British viewed the American colonies. As well, the British believed they had every right to tax the colonists and Britain was heavily in debt from the Seven Year's War which was partially fought for the protection and benefit of the colonies. They beleived that through the taxes, the colonies were only paying them back.

Answer 4

The people who actually lived in the country of Britain did not need to pay as many extreme taxes. The colonists on the other hand had to pay Importing and Exporting taxes. They also had to pay for supplied such as food.