Historical and Political Background

Colonies existed to serve the interests of the mother country. To that end, Britain imposed restrictions on the colonies that limited their economic options; exports whether intended for Britain or other countries had to go through England nor could the American colonies trade directly with other countries within or outside the region. Britain’s mainland colonies were also lightly taxed, at rates well below those prevailing in England. Attempts by Britain to increase the colonies’ tax burden were resisted, notwithstanding the proceeds were intended to provide for local defence and administration. Opposition was based on resistance to paying higher taxes and principle, namely, that direct (unlike trade) taxes could not under English law be enacted without the consent of the taxed. Unlike Scotland, the American colonies were not represented in Parliament and thus were denied a say in the matter. Once Britain decided to aggressively assert its authority over the American colonies by approving a series of punitive measures known as the Coercive Acts, the risk of rebellion increased significantly.