Debate Over Taxation Research Paper

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Kaeli Ariail HIST 2111 February 24th, 2017 Unit 3 Essay: Debate Over Taxation and Representation Most of the tension leading up to the American Revolution lies in the rights of the colonies, and the rights of the British to govern them. The British believed they unequivocally held this right over their subjects. The colonies, on the other hand, felt differently. They felt that true liberty lied in the ability to choose for themselves. If the British had no representation for them, and all legislation was uncontested, then the colonies would resist such laws. This debate, combined with the debt incurred during the French and Indian War, caused a great upset in the colonies that turned into the American Revolution. The British believes that …show more content…

Because the colonies are not part of the main island of Britain, but still receive the benefits of Britons. They must pay their equal share in taxes like every other extension of the empire. The Declaratory Act backs this by making the point that fairness in taxation is subjective. No one would be able to truly decide what is fair in taxes. Therefore, it is up to the government to decide. The points argued by the colonists start with the right to choose. They believe that they should not be forced to follow laws because they are not slaves but subjects. This is especially true when the government is across an ocean. The government plays no part in the physical maintenance of the colonies, just in the laws by which they are to abide. If they were truly Britons and subjects of the Crown, then they should have the right to representation. Without it, taxation is unnecessary and the colonists refuse to put up with …show more content…

By representing the law-making power of the British government, they should back the Crown, and uphold the Crown’s agreement with the colonies. This means treating them as proper subjects and not banks. It also means that they afforded rights to representation and to trial by jury. Forcing vice-admiralty courts that have no juries is unconstitutional, and would not happen in mainland Britain. Therefore, it should not happen in the colonies, simply because the legislative body is not present. Britons would not stand for it either, if it happened to them. The colonists simply want to enjoy equal rights as subjects of the Crown, instead of heavy taxation and burdensome Acts like the Currency Act. Were such acts repealed and rights upheld, the colonies would have no

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