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Short and long term effects of British taxation on the colonies

User S M
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Final answer:

British taxation policies in the colonies, such as the Stamp Act and the Currency Act, led to short-term resistance, like boycotts, and long-term consequences including the American Revolution.

These taxes strained economic activities and relationships, significantly contributing to the desire for independence and self-governance.

Step-by-step explanation:

The British taxation on the colonies, primarily to manage the debt from the French and Indian War, led to both short and long term consequences.

In the short term, the taxes resulted in widespread discontent and actions such as boycotts, often orchestrated by groups like the Sons of Liberty. This resistance signaled a growing desire for independence and autonomy in financial and governmental affairs, evidenced by the intimidation of tax collectors and the lack of compliance with British demands.

In the long term, these taxes exacerbated tensions, leading to a fundamental shift in political attitudes among the colonists. The internal taxes, such as those from the Stamp Act, were seen as direct affronts to the liberties and rights the colonists believed they held.

This culminated in the Revolutionary War, wherein the American colonies ultimately sought and gained independence from British rule. These taxes played a crucial role in the erosion of the previously more salutary relationship between Britain and her colonies.

User Gabriel Gartz
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