If The British Government Could Do It Over Again
The British governing policy of salutary neglect gave the young colonial governments a chance to "experiment" with their own self-governance. Gaining confidence in their abilities to rule the people without the British Parliament, the American independence movement was ultimately born.
Looking back with the historical advantages of 20-20 hindsight and considering the governing policy noted above ...
What, if anything, could the British government have done differently to prevent this burgeoning independence movement within its colonies? ..... (Offer specific details with relation to their governing policy) ...
2 answers
What do you think? I'll be glad to critique your ideas.
The American colonies developed during turbulent times in England. The settlers in Virginia were for the most part "cavaliers", followers of the royal family. Other colonies such as in New England and the mid Atlantic were of Cromwellian mindset. The British government, even after Cromwell and the return to monarchy, was divided between royalists and parliamentarians. In fact many in parliament and among the people of England supported the colonists.
The only things I can think of that King George could have done are to hire a lot more German troops (the English ones were tied up with their own and European problems) or to encourage self government on the commonwealth model that evolved in Canada, Australia etc. It is not clear to me that either tack would have been successful and I think it would have been best to just get out without trying to hold the colonies by force.
Trying to control the trade and force the colonies to trade entirely through England and pay taxes to refund the costs of the French and Indian wars was crazy. The Boston Tea Party was inevitable.
The only things I can think of that King George could have done are to hire a lot more German troops (the English ones were tied up with their own and European problems) or to encourage self government on the commonwealth model that evolved in Canada, Australia etc. It is not clear to me that either tack would have been successful and I think it would have been best to just get out without trying to hold the colonies by force.
Trying to control the trade and force the colonies to trade entirely through England and pay taxes to refund the costs of the French and Indian wars was crazy. The Boston Tea Party was inevitable.