The ideas of liberalism and democracy
are the basis of the U.S. political
system. As the colonists built
their new society, they believed more strongly
in these ideas. Britain’s 13 colonies grew in
population and economic strength during
the 1700s. Although ruled by a distant
government, the colonists governed many
local affairs.
After Britain won a costly war with France in the
1750s, the colonists were asked to help pay for the
war, and for Britain’s large empire. These policies
restricted the colonists’ way of life.
For example, the Royal Proclamation of 1763
restricted the colonists from settling new land.
The Currency Act of 1764 made it illegal to print
paper money in the colonies. The Quartering Act