No taxation without representation
Great Britain began imposing taxes and laws on the goods made in the colony as a result of the effect of the Indian and French wars. The taxes were imposed on items such as paper, stamps, tea, and sugar. The colonists were not happy with the taxes and also the way they had no say on the taxes, which was considered a violation of the English Bill of Rights. The laws imposed aggravated colonies towards independence (Dorfman, 2007). The mantra “No taxation without representation” advocated for a government representing the people and freedom against tyranny. A meeting which was held by the Stamp Act Congress in 1765 in New York, which was led by the nine colonies proclaimed that the English crown had no right to tax the Americans who were not represented in the British parliament.
The colonists were convinced though believes that it was not legitimate action to be taxed while they had no parliamentary representation. At the same time, even after launching their complaints, they were denied a trial by the jury. Delegates from the nine colonies were forced to meet in New York in 1765, and they were able to form the Stamp act Congress (Gladney, 2014). The present delegates were able to approve the Declaration of Rights and Grievances. The taxes were against the rights of the Englishman. The new tax also covered sales tax for the colonies, and this did not favour most residents, and they wanted to be eliminated from such taxation laws. The legitimate measures sparked the protests that the colonial assemblies had exceptional power to only tax the colonists who had representatives in the assemblies. During this time, certain colonies had official agents to the parliament. However, the law could not still apply since no colonies by this time had representatives who were sitting in the parliament. The Virginia legislatures denied the representatives from attending a meeting that was perceived to be against the constitutional laws for the British. Even though specific representatives believed that the meeting was intended to undermine the efficacy of the Congress, it was meant to fight for the rights of the colonists (Gladney, 2014). The loyalty to the crown was essential for the freedom of the people, and it was not right for the colonists to be forced by a measure that is not accepted by the majority. The taxation rights, as perceived by the colonists, should come from their consent or through their representatives. The only recognized representatives for the colonies are the ones who are chosen by the colonist themselves but not by anyone else.
The colonists believed that all men are equal, and they are all subjected to unalienable rights of life. Forcing taxation on them without been represented is considered as diminishing their human rights. This is highly against the laws of nature or creation. The primary issue with the colonist is that Congress did not use their opinions and ideas on governance while they were imposing the regulations (Gladney, 2014). A representative in the legislature is expected to address the issues affecting the colonists and only accept what favours the colonists without undermining their existence. Therefore, imposing the taxation laws was violating their democratic rights of participation in the governance and was not creating a balance in nature.
Generally, the slogan “no taxation without representation” resulted in the revolution by the colonists. The colonists were against the taxation laws imposed on them without having representatives in the parliament. The colonists believed that they were all human, and they are equal. Hence they should not be alienated from participation in governance. Their human rights were violated since measures denied by the majority was forcing them.