What do we know about the British attitude towards the colonies?

The British government exercised little power over the colonies in the beginning. Royal charters were created for the colonies; these documents gave individuals or group a fair amount of freedom of action. Moreover, Britain was preoccupied with internal struggles for much of the 1600s.

Things changed by the end of the 17th century. The Crown began exercising greater power over the colonies of America. Most of the colonies became Royal colonies as the charters were revoked. A royal governor was appointed by the monarch, who served as the executive of the colonies. After Britain’s victory in the Seven Years War with France, the monarchy extended control over the western part of North America.

The British put forth laws in the interest of the crown and not the colonies. For instance, Britain decided to maintain a standing army in the colonies and the colonies were expected to pay for it. The Navigation Act restricted the colonists from competing with British businesses. Britain also made it difficult for them to do business with the French and the Spanish.

The colonists were displeased with these developments. They felt that they were taxed unfairly. In addition to that, these colonies were not represented in the British Parliament which levied taxes. The resentment against these political turns resulted in the outbreak of the American Revolution.

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