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Great Britain And The North American Colonies Dbq Analysis

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The conflict between Great Britain and the North American colonies was mainly caused by economic controversies rather than political and social. The several acts which Great Britain imposed over the colonies originated discontent because they were obliged to pay taxes, as well the introduction of the theory of mercantilism. The end of the French and Indian War in 1763, the British government decided to pay its war debts with the wealth from the colonies. As a result, Great Britain introduced mercantilism to aim the mother country’s economy. This British policy inflicted a shortage in the colonies exports and commercial trade. An example of this were the Navigation Laws that regulated that colonial trade of all goods would first passed through England. British merchants and companies “remained a privilege of both export and import in the colonies” because they were “reserved for the British realm” (Document 3). The economy of the colonies was mainly based by the trade of their goods, as a result, farmers who were prohibited to sell their goods wherever they wish, were annoyed, so they denied fulfill these laws. Many colonists questioned the real purpose of Great Britain if it actually sought for the benefit of …show more content…

Thus, events such as the Stamp Act of 1765 and taxes on other products, led to discontent with the crown. An important leader as William Pitt argued that representation in a parliament was needed to enact laws that will favor the colonies. Unlike, the British King that laid “improper restraints on the continent, in favour of the islands” (Pitt "I rejoice that America has resisted"). Furthermore, the assemblage of the Stamp Act Congress tried to repeal the tax required by all legal documents. Colonists stated the Stamp Act was “burthensome and grievous”, therefore they argued that “taxes to be imposed on them but with their consent” (Document

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