Britain and the American Colonies, 1760–1763 key terms

Mercantilism

An economic theory that emphasizes the role of the state in managing the economy, particularly through trade regulation and the accumulation of wealth.

Taxation without representation

The principle that it is unjust to tax individuals without giving them a voice in the government that imposes those taxes.

Cash Crops

Crops produced for commercial value rather than for use by the grower, such as tobacco and rice in the Southern colonies.

Indentured Servitude

A labor system where individuals worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America and eventual freedom.

Taxation without representation

The principle that it is unjust to tax a person without giving them a voice in the government that imposes the tax.

Colonial resistance

The actions taken by American colonists to oppose British policies and taxes, leading to increasing tensions and eventual revolution.

Westward Expansion

The movement of settlers into the American West, particularly after the French and Indian War, driven by the desire for land and resources.

Taxation without Representation

The principle that it is unfair to tax someone without giving them a voice in government, a rallying cry for American colonists against British taxes.