Final answer:
The Barons had an issue with the way King John raised taxes because it reduced their status as free men. The colonists objected to direct taxation as they had not consented to it, and they saw it as a denial of their rights. The new taxes also threatened the power of colonial assemblies.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Barons had an issue with the way King John raised taxes because they believed it reduced their status as free men. The colonists objected to direct taxation because they had not consented to it, and they believed that the right to consent to taxation was a fundamental right enshrined in documents like the Magna Carta and the English Bill of Rights. Furthermore, the colonists were not allowed to elect representatives to the House of Commons who imposed the taxes, which they saw as a denial of their rights.
The taxes imposed on the colonists were seen as oppressive and obnoxious, especially because they were often luxury taxes or excises on trade. The wealthy merchants who were most affected by these taxes organized a resistance movement. Additionally, the Quartering Act, which forced the colonists to provide housing and food for British troops, was a significant issue that cut across class boundaries and fostered opposition to the taxes.
The new taxes also posed a threat to the power and influence of colonial assemblies. Up until that point, the colonial assemblies had paid the salaries of royal government officials, giving them some control over these officials. However, the new taxes were intended to finance British government officials residing in the colonies, effectively releasing them from financial dependence on the colonial assemblies.