Relationship Between Britain And Colonies Essay Example

During the 18th century, the colonies were well-grown societies with flourishing populations. Great Britain, holding the power following the 7 Years War, passed acts that caused tension to rise between Britain and the colonies. Personally, I have observed that the British Parliament greatly mistreated the rights of the colonists and used them for their own benefit. Colonies enjoyed their freedom for over one hundred and thirty years but that quickly changed when both trade and land were restricted and unfair acts burdened their lives. They were said to have equal rights to inhabitants of Britain in the charters granted by the crown, but that proved to be false, and they were forced to pay taxes with no representation in their current government. By trying to gain back control and self-sufficiency, Britain corrupted the colonists’ freedom.  

The colonies lessen their dependence on Great Britain for a long period of time and were allowed to make their own political rules that they felt would lead to the success of their colony. This policy was known as salutary neglect. After being independent for over a century, the British Parliament intervened and began tightening control and restrictions over the Americas. They heavily enforced the Navigation Acts after the French and Indian War to increase the colonies’ dependence on England. Staple goods such as sugar, tobacco, and cotton were only able to be imported to England. I question how the colonies will be able to grow if only England is profiting from the colonies and not the colonies themselves? From this information, I believe Parliament thought of the colonies as production factories rather than individuals.

Along with controlling the regulation of trade, Parliament also affected the land and settlement in colonies. Charters were given to the colonies from the crown that granted them and future generations the same rights and privileges as those in Britain under the British constitution. They were allowed to have their own government and decide the laws the government was to follow. They did not think of having these rights as a privilege, they were expected because they traveled to uncultivated land to set up new communities. I do not think any individual would have gone to the Americas if they knew the rights they were born with would be left-back in Europe. The Proclamation of 1763 banned Americans to settle beyond the Appalachian mountains to prevent conflict with the Native Americans. This strict control over land angered the colonists as their duty in the Americas was to colonize. Again I wonder how could they expand if they were being harshly watched and restricted? Farmers lost their land due to foreclosure resulting from high taxes, which I will cover in the following paragraph, leading to Shay’s Rebellion where they fought for their land back. One of the natural rights of men was the right to own property. Britain took this away from them breaking their promise in the original charters guaranteeing them their rights. 

The major cause of tension was the introduction of taxes. After the 7 Years’ War, Britain was in major debt and decided it was only fair to make American colonists pay as the war was on American ground. The Stamp Act of 1765 put duties on legal documents and printed papers such as newspapers and pamphlets. The Townshend Acts placed taxes upon items such as glass and tea which were everyday needed products for the colonists. Although the tax was small, if the colonists paid, Britain’s power would further grow, allowing them to increase the taxes over time. Colonists were understandably agitated and questioned Parliament on the lack of colonial representation. Why should they have to pay taxes without consent and if they were not passed through the colonial governments? The acts led to the smuggling of foreign goods into the colonies. To prevent this, British troops were sent and able to search any place and household if they suspected smuggled goods were held with the help of the writs of assistance. This further led to less colonial governmental power and completely infringed upon the colonists’ rights by searching their properties just because of suspicion. Agitated with the treatment and laws by Great Britain, the Sons of Liberty organized a protest in 1733 where they dumped three-hundred forty-two chests of tea into the Boston harbor known as the Boston Tea Party. Parliament punished Boston by passing the Intolerable Acts. One of which shut down the Boston harbor until the colonists paid for the damage. One could say this was a justifiable action, but how would limiting the colonies more after they were already fighting for freedom help the situation in any way? Another part of this was the Quartering Act which forced colonists to provide food and shelter for British troops without their consent. Enforcing these acts further proved that Britain did not care for nor respect the colonies and their wishes. 

In conclusion, the Parliament greatly abused the rights of American colonists. This is clearly seen from the lack of representation to destroying the colonist’s right to self-govern. The British Parliament’s actions remain unjustifiable to this day in my opinion.