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Difficulty: MediumThe American War of Independence

Following expensive military conflicts with the French in North America during the mid-18th century, how did the British government attempt to pay for the ongoing defense of its thirteen colonies?

  1. By introducing new taxes on the North American colonistsAnswer
  2. B
    By abolishing the slave trade throughout the empire to reduce costs
  3. C
    By requesting financial support from the devolved administration in Scotland
  4. D
    By selling the original Magna Carta document to the American colonies

Answer

The British government attempted to recover costs by introducing new taxes on the North American colonists.
The correct answer is correct because the British government decided to tax the thirteen North American colonies in the 1760s to pay for the high costs incurred during the wars with the French and to fund their continued defense.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the historical context of the 1760s in North America.
Britain had just fought expensive wars with the French in North America to protect the thirteen colonies.
Understanding the financial motivation of the British government is key to identifying their subsequent actions.
2
Determine the specific method chosen by the government to raise revenue.
The government decided to impose new taxes directly on the colonies.
This decision led to the famous slogan 'no taxation without representation' and eventual war.

Key Concept

Fiscal causes of the American War of Independence

Practice More

Review the specific year the thirteen colonies declared their independence and the year Britain formally recognized it.
Estimated Time:45s
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Topics

The American War of Independence

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