Why did Britain impose taxes on the colonies?

Answer 1

In order to pay the debts she had incurred in paying for the french and Indian War, AKA the Seven Years War. Leading up to during and after the French and Indian war, Britain had invested huge quantities of resources into her American colonies.

Britain's national debt during this period had rocketed from £76m to £114m, all borrowed from Dutch & other oversees lenders. This is without even considering the British loss of life during this conflict, which at large involved protection of the American colonies (Colonists) so they could continue to prosper.

I find it quite amusing in retrospect that the American colonies became so riled by the relatively low taxes they "Endured" compared with their English counterparts. The words "No taxation without representation" seem somewhat childish on account the American colonists were enjoying the fruits of the Empire (Tea, Tobacco, Sugar, general supplies etc....) without any taxation for considerable time. So much so that at around the 1750's America was though to be consuming 50% more than it was exporting. It would appear they were used to getting the better deal whilst the citizens at the heart of the working of the Empire were to suffer their usual high taxation on goods.

The actions of the soon to be newly formed "USA" during her revolution are almost puerile, contemptuous & a disgrace. She did for many years life off the back of her mother land and never seemed concerned with representation within parliament whilst their goods were cheap, free from tax and being produced by the blood, sweat & god knows what else of Britain citizens, subjects, levies etc...... America almost appears a breakaway, selfish teenage wanting on what it believes right for it's self, regardless of the efforts of it's mother during it's birth and subsequent adolescence.

All Britain received for it's determination, blood, money & hard work at the end was a knife in her back and a finger in the air. She was left financially, morally and physically wounded following the American revolution.

The taxes imposed were nominal, justified and only fair on account of the financial and manpower involvement of Britain and this revolution, had it not been for the Childish and hard done by views of the Colonists should never have happened.

Answer 2

The British government seemed it only fair to begin moderate taxation of her American colonies mainly due to the Seven Years War. British national debt during this period spiralled from £77m to £114m (Cost of funding the war) and being that British colonies and British citizens lives were at stake they would only have been neglecting their interests if they failed to protect them. Bearing this is mind had they not, the America we know of today could have been a very different place. Owing they had successfully defended their investment it seemed only logical to lower British National debt by taxing the very people they were defending (Themselves). The colonies were funded by the British and were paying no taxation on goods which had been hard earned by the rest of the tax paying British world.

From the 1850's onwards it was seen the British American colonies were consuming an ever more increasing quantity of British produce, more so than the quantities they were exporting or producing themselves so they were in fact having a very easy time.

Taxation on the American colonies began to encroach on imports such as Tobacco, Sugar, Coffee etc........ which the rest of the Empire and in any Nation would more often than not have to pay tax on. The tax being paid by the Colonies was 12.5%, compared to the "Homeland" British tax rate of around 18% at the time. So this was a relatively moderate taxation. Evidently the colonists did not see it this way and seemed happier to live a life which did not involve paying their way.

Ultimately the citizens of the U.S.A we know today are paying just as much tax as in Great Britain, but then we hear the argument for "No Taxation without Representation".

But it begs the question. If you were in a county which was being invaded by a force with lower economic prospects, weaker military and trade structures, which would surely have disrupted such gentle ways of life and ultimately imposed a great level of tax on imported goods due to it's lower status on the world stage. Would you be happy to pay for your protection from the Worlds super power? I know this question has variables and is somewhat out of context, the point to which I am making is quite similar.

My Answer... Undoubtedly - "Yes, I would pay"

Answer 3

The British started taxing the colonies with the Stamp Act and the Tea Tax because they were in debt from the French and Indian War, so they did taxes on goods the colonists couldn't produce and had to buy from Britain.

Answer 4

you mean philosophically why? or what objects were they taxing?

Answerbecause Britain didn't believe the colonies should be living free without paying any taxes as it was costing Britain a lot to protect them from the Dutch, the French, the Spanish and the Indians.

Answer 5

They started taxing the Americans because they spent a lot of money on a war with the french. The point of colonies was mercantilism. Mercatilism is wealth=power. So if they spent money on something that was suppose to bring in money then they should bring a whole boat load in more. But when the Americans started to refuse to pay the taxes, the British still taxed them. Its like your parents putting a hand on you. If you ask them not to, they will take it off, but keep a finger on just to remind you that they can do that. Parents= British, Americans=you.

~FYI Im in the 7th grade

Great explanation to the 7th grader abover me ^^ Here is a more simple story, aka long story short: Americans should contribute to Britain's costs in defending the colonies during and after the French and Indian War

Answer 6

Because Britain believed they had control over the colonists.

To pay for the troops stationed in (and to the west of) the colonies to protect them against the French and the Aboriginal people.

Answer 7

To pay debts for the French and Indian War

Answer 8

The British became extremely indebted after the Seven Year's War. They then began taxing the colonies heavily to make up their war debts.

Answer 9

Because they had to pay for the protection.

Answer 10

so they can get out of the law