Final answer:
The British supported their opinion that the colonists should pay taxes based on the need for revenue, virtual representation, and citing the common practice of taxation in the British Empire.
Step-by-step explanation:
The British supported their opinion that the colonists should pay taxes through various justifications. One argument was that the British government needed revenue to support the colonies and maintain their defense. They believed that the colonists, who benefited from British protection and infrastructure, should contribute to the costs. For example, the British argued that the taxes imposed on goods, such as the Stamp Act, were necessary to repay the expenses incurred during the French and Indian War.
Additionally, the British government asserted its authority to tax the colonists under the concept of virtual representation. They argued that since the colonists were represented in the British Parliament, even though they didn't directly vote for the members, they still had a voice in the decision-making process of taxation.
Furthermore, the British emphasized that taxation was a common practice in the British Empire. They believed that the colonists should follow the same model as other subjects of the empire and contribute financially to the upkeep of the empire.
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