The Role Of Englishmen In America
The colonists were accustomed to a tax system. They paid taxes to their local government and were grudgingly receptive to the concept of further taxation by the king of England. However, the colonists noticed a stark difference between the way that Englishmen in England were taxed and the way that Parliament taxed the colonies. The difference was that every Englishman in England was represented. The Englishmen in America were only represented virtually. The Stamp Act, enacted in 1765, was the breaking point that caused the colonies to bond together in unity wrought by the fires of injustice.
The British government was in large part, virtual representation. However, the parliamentary members were English born, English raised gentlemen. English
colonists quickly felt the injustice of a system run by a society that lacked the basic understanding of life in the New World. Therefore they felt the need to stand up for their rights as Englishmen. By this time people in England were frustrated by the long and costly Seven Year’ War. No doubt casting the blame on the colonists for the French and Indian war seemed just and right to those living in England.
The British government was in large part, virtual representation. However, the parliamentary members were English born, English raised gentlemen. English
colonists quickly felt the injustice of a system run by a society that lacked the basic understanding of life in the New World. Therefore they felt the need to stand up for their rights as Englishmen. By this time people in England were frustrated by the long and costly Seven Year’ War. No doubt casting the blame on the colonists for the French and Indian war seemed just and right to those living in England.