Question

How does Britain begin to gain revenue from the Colonies as payment for the French and Indian War?

a) Britain imposed heavy taxes on the American colonies.
b) Britain did not seek revenue from the colonies after the French and Indian War.
c) Britain relied on voluntary contributions from the colonies.
d) Britain received financial aid from the colonies without imposing taxes.

Answer 1

Britain sought to offset the debts from the French and Indian War by imposing various taxes on the American colonies, leading to the revolutionary slogan 'no taxation without representation'. These measures included direct taxes, increasing tension, and fostering strong opposition among colonists.

Step-by-step explanation:

How Britain Sought Revenue from the Colonies Post-War

After the French and Indian War, Britain accrued a sizeable debt and looked to the American colonies to help defray the costs. Parliament enacted several measures designed to raise revenue, moving away from the previous policy of salutary neglect.

The most contentious actions were new taxation laws imposed on the colonists, including direct taxes which were seen as especially burdensome without the colonists' own representation in Parliament—embodied in the rallying cry "no taxation without representation". These included taxes on sugar, paper, and tea, notably remembered through events such as the Boston Tea Party.

Colonial leaders created substantial arguments against the British constitution, strongly opposing virtual representation and insisting that only their elected legislature could impose taxes.

The imposition of direct taxes was considered unacceptable, as was the limitation on their ability to move West past the Appalachian and Allegheny Mountains. Britain's efforts culminated in exacerbating tensions, which eventually fuelled the American Revolution.