Monday, December 16, 2019

Did the American colonies have representation in British Parliament?

No, the Colonies did not have actual or direct representation in Parliament. It is important to note, however, that many citizens who actually lived in England at the time did not have representation and could not vote either.
To pacify the colonists, British officials argued that "virtual representation" should fulfill their needs. This was the idea that all members of Parliament represented all citizens of England. Keep in mind, the British possessed a parental view of the colonized areas throughout their empire, so the argument of virtual representation would make sense to them.
The heart of the issue with the colonists was not the representation itself but the right to levy their own taxes, hence their refrain, "no taxation without representation." In some instances, the colonists were paying taxes twice, once to the colony and once to the crown. They wanted the ability to either be represented in Parliament or to be taxed only once.
https://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h640.html

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