The birth of the United States and it’s Constitution
1.) British Empire:
• had huge colonial territories: - North America
- South-East Asia
- Australia
- Caribbeans
- India
• trade: - The colonies provide raw materials and the mother country sells them the
finished products
• Act of Navigation: - only British ships could enter the harbours of the colonies,
meaning that only Britain could trade with them (Britain could buy the raw
materials for a low price and sell the finished products for more)
2.) American colonies:
• 13 colonies (oldest is Virginia, founded in 1607)
• main issues:
• After the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) Britain had huge debts and needed
more money (despite being the strongest colonial and naval power in the world
at the time)
• the British people were heavily taxed but the American colonists had never
had to pay taxes directly to the British government before
• George III decided it was time for the colonies to pay taxes too
1.) British Empire:
• had huge colonial territories: - North America
- South-East Asia
- Australia
- Caribbeans
- India
• trade: - The colonies provide raw materials and the mother country sells them the
finished products
• Act of Navigation: - only British ships could enter the harbours of the colonies,
meaning that only Britain could trade with them (Britain could buy the raw
materials for a low price and sell the finished products for more)
2.) American colonies:
• 13 colonies (oldest is Virginia, founded in 1607)
• main issues:
• After the Seven Years’ War (1756-1763) Britain had huge debts and needed
more money (despite being the strongest colonial and naval power in the world
at the time)
• the British people were heavily taxed but the American colonists had never
had to pay taxes directly to the British government before
• George III decided it was time for the colonies to pay taxes too
