Final answer:
The phrase 'no taxation without representation' refers to the belief that the American colonies should not be taxed by the British government without having representation in the British Parliament. It led to the American Revolution and the Declaration of Independence.
Step-by-step explanation:
The phrase 'no taxation without representation' emerged during the colonial period in America and refers to the belief that the American colonies should not be taxed by the British government without having representation in the British Parliament. The colonists based this idea on their experiences of being governed by their own colonial legislatures. They believed it was acceptable for Parliament to impose taxes to regulate trade because it fell within the jurisdiction of external affairs, but they objected to taxes imposed solely for the purpose of raising revenues.
This concept of 'no taxation without representation' played a significant role in leading to the American Revolution and the subsequent Declaration of Independence. The colonists felt that without representation in Parliament, they had no say in the laws and taxes imposed upon them. This led to growing resentment and protest against British rule, which eventually culminated in the Declaration of Independence in 1776, where the colonists declared their independence from Britain and outlined their grievances.