1. In a number of instances (such as the Tea Act of 1773 and the change in 1772 so that payment of governors' salaries came from the king and not provincial legislature) the course textbook notes, to some degree, how the impetus for these acts was not wholly the attempt to impose despotic government by the king. Explain how these acts could be seen from a British point of view as ethical and legitimate and not as attempts to oppress the colonists.
To understand how these acts could be seen as ethical and legitimate from a British point of view, we need to consider the historical and political context of the time.
The Tea Act of 1773, for example, was passed by the British Parliament with the intention of rescuing the financially struggling East India Company. The Act granted the company a monopoly on the tea trade within the American colonies, which meant that only their tea could be imported and sold. From a British perspective, this was seen as a reasonable and ethical measure to support a struggling British company.
Furthermore, the Tea Act actually lowered the price of tea for the colonists, effectively reducing the tax burden they had previously faced. The British government argued that this was a fair trade-off for granting the tea monopoly to the East India Company.
Regarding the change in 1772 for governors' salaries to come from the king rather than the provincial legislature, it was seen as a way to reduce corruption and ensure greater control over governor appointments. British officials argued that this change would prevent governors from being influenced or controlled by local interests, thus serving the best interests of the colonies as a whole.
From a British point of view, these acts were not necessarily seen as attempts to oppress the colonists, but rather as measures to maintain control, stabilize the economy, and ensure better governance. The British government believed that their authority and management were essential for the prosperity and well-being of both the colonies and the empire as a whole.
It is important to note, however, that these acts were met with strong resistance from the colonists who saw them as encroachments on their rights and liberties. This ultimately led to growing tensions and the eventual outbreak of the American Revolution.