Final answer:
The tension between Great Britain and the American colonies arose from economic differences and the principle of "no taxation without representation", based on the English Bill of Rights of 1689. The British concept of "virtual" representation contrasted with the colonists' experience with direct representation, leading to the American Revolution.
Step-by-step explanation:
Tension Between Great Britain and the American Colonies
The tension between Great Britain and the American colonies was fueled by a number of issues, two of which were economic differences and taxation without representation. The end of the French and Indian War marked a turning point where British Parliament sought to defray war expenses by enacting a series of measures that imposed taxes on the colonies.
This led to widespread colonial opposition and the rallying cry of "no taxation without representation", highlighting a fundamental disagreement between the colonies and Britain on taxation and legislative representation. Taxation to regulate trade was somewhat accepted by the colonies as it was a form of exerting control for mutual economic benefit.
However, taxes imposed solely to raise revenue were viewed as illegitimate in the absence of direct representation in the Parliament.
The colonists based the idea of "no taxation without representation" on their rights under the British constitution, particularly those cited in the English Bill of Rights of 1689. The British struggled with this concept due to their belief in "virtual" representation, meaning that Parliament represented all British subjects, regardless of whether they elected its members.
This difference in understanding signified how the colonial political ideology, with its foundation of direct representation, clashed severely with British practices, thereby creating significant tension that eventually led to the American Revolution.