British Imperial Policy Of The 13 North American Colonies In The 17th And 18th Centuries
British Imperial Policy of the 13 North American Colonies in the 17th and
18th Centuries
John Liu Between the years of 1607 and 1763, Great Britain sent over many of its people to the new world, establishing the thirteen colonies. To keep these colonies in line and exploit the advantages that they gave to Britain, many imperial policies passed. Several aspects from the policies stand out as particularly important, such as the hierarchical order, virtual representation, and sudden changes in salutary neglect, ended up being precursors to the American Revolution. A major component of British thought during this period in time which would have led to the creation of such policies that were condescending towards the colonists was the belief that, in a hierarchical ladder, Great Britain stood as a father-figure and parent to the colonies. This is especially evident after the 7 Years War against the French, which took place in both England and the colonies. After the English won the war, there were some differing opinions on where the colonies stood with Great Britain across the Atlantic. For example, while the colonists expected more equal footing with the British, especially in Parliament, most of the British themselves still stood by the opinion that they were a father-figure to the colonists across the ocean. They believed that they had simply helped the colonists in their little battles, and that the colonists themselves should be extremely grateful, not pining for more power. Another example would concern the British Constitution. Since it was unwritten, nothing about it was absolutely certain, although the ideas across the lands were parallel for the most part. Of course, as the name implies, the constitution only applied to the British, and the controversy begins there; the colonists claim they are as British as those who lived in Great Britain. Great Britain, instead, believed that the colonists weren’t considered British, and thus didn’t have the same
18th Centuries
John Liu Between the years of 1607 and 1763, Great Britain sent over many of its people to the new world, establishing the thirteen colonies. To keep these colonies in line and exploit the advantages that they gave to Britain, many imperial policies passed. Several aspects from the policies stand out as particularly important, such as the hierarchical order, virtual representation, and sudden changes in salutary neglect, ended up being precursors to the American Revolution. A major component of British thought during this period in time which would have led to the creation of such policies that were condescending towards the colonists was the belief that, in a hierarchical ladder, Great Britain stood as a father-figure and parent to the colonies. This is especially evident after the 7 Years War against the French, which took place in both England and the colonies. After the English won the war, there were some differing opinions on where the colonies stood with Great Britain across the Atlantic. For example, while the colonists expected more equal footing with the British, especially in Parliament, most of the British themselves still stood by the opinion that they were a father-figure to the colonists across the ocean. They believed that they had simply helped the colonists in their little battles, and that the colonists themselves should be extremely grateful, not pining for more power. Another example would concern the British Constitution. Since it was unwritten, nothing about it was absolutely certain, although the ideas across the lands were parallel for the most part. Of course, as the name implies, the constitution only applied to the British, and the controversy begins there; the colonists claim they are as British as those who lived in Great Britain. Great Britain, instead, believed that the colonists weren’t considered British, and thus didn’t have the same