Final answer:
To pay off the war debt, the British taxed the colonies and sought to sell English territory. They did not disband colonial governments.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British government took several measures to pay off the war debt from the Seven Years' War. One of these measures was to tax the colonies. The British imposed various taxes on the American colonies, such as the Sugar Act, the Stamp Act, and the Townshend Acts, to generate revenue and help repay the debt.
Additionally, the British government sought to sell English territory as a means of raising funds. For example, the Proclamation of 1763 forbade colonial settlement beyond the Appalachian Mountains, allowing the British to potentially sell land to Native American tribes or other interested parties.
However, the British did not disband colonial governments as a direct strategy to pay off the war debt. Instead, they attempted to assert more control and authority over the colonies through measures like the Intolerable Acts, which led to increased tension and ultimately contributed to the outbreak of the American Revolution.
Learn more about British measures to pay off the war debt in the colonies