Britain makes the colonists pay for the war

The French and Indian War left Britain with an expanded empire, but all the same it was very costly for the country. Britain was in need of money, and Parliament decided to make the colonists pay for the war. The control over the colonies was restricted, and new taxes and duties on imports were introduced.

The colonial policy was named mercantilism. According to the mercantilism doctrine the colonies existed only for the benefit of the mother country. To benefit Britain the American colonies were to furnish ships and sailors, to grow products that otherwise would have to be brought from foreign countries. They were also to buy goods manufactured in Britain to promote British industry.

But the colonists did not want to pay new taxes. Each British colony had an elected assembly that made laws and represented the colony's interest in its dealing with the mother country. At the same time no Americans were seated in the British parliament. The colonists did not want to obey any laws imposed on them without their consent. They decided to pay only those taxes that would be set by the colonial assemblies. The colonists protested against the new economic policy in different ways. They often refused to buy goods imported to America by Britain. Some American merchants became smugglers and brought in goods without paying import duties.

Notes:

new taxes and duties on imports were introduced — были введены новые налоги и пошлины на ввозимые товары

mercantilism — меркантилизм

the colonies existed only for the benefit of the mother country — колонии существовали только для того, чтобы приносить выгоду метрополии

that otherwise would have to be brought from foreign countries — которые в противном случае пришлось бы по­купать у иностранных государств

goods manufactured in Britain — товары, произведенные в Британии

to promote British industry — способствовать развитию британской промышленности

an elected assembly — выборное собрание

in dealing with the mother country — в торговле с метро­полией

imposed on them without their consent — навязанные им без их согласия

smuggler — контрабандист

import duties — пошлины на ввоз импортных товаров

EXERCISES

1. Переведите на русский язык:

An expanded empire, but all the same, new taxes and duties on imports, the colonial policy, to grow products, according to the mercantilism doctrine, very costly for the country.

2. Выпишите из текста предложения, содержащие следующие словосочетания и переведите их на русский язык:

The French and Indian War, Parliament decided, each British colony, at the same time, the new economic policy, the colonial assemblies.

3. Составьте предложения со следующими словами и словосочетаниями:

To benefit Britain, the colonists, to pay, new taxes, without paying import duties.

4. Ответьте на следующие вопросы:

1. Why was Britain in need of money?

2. Who was to pay for the war?

3. What was the essence of mercantilism doctrine?

4. Did the colonists agree to pay new taxes?

5. How did they protest against the new policy?