10

I've now read a couple books about the American Revolution and the founding fathers. I don't think, however, I read anything about colonial assemblies or the continental congresses pushing for representation in the British Parliament. It seems like it might have been a way to have taxation WITH representation without separating from the mother country.

Was this ever considered by either side? We already have answers for why it wasn't ultimately done, but what proposals were made when, and by whom?

I don't think this is a duplicate as I'm asking if there were specific proposals or evidence of them and their context. Also, the answer of the suggested duplicate seems to focus on the causes of the war and not the issue I'm asking about.

Improve this question
6
  • 4
    Possible duplicate of Why didn't Great Britain give the colonies voting rights?
    – Steve Bird
    Jan 19, 2017 at 6:05
  • 4
    "did they try?" and "why they were not allowed?" are absolutely different questions! They are merely connected to each other.
    – Gangnus
    Jan 19, 2017 at 9:30
  • 3
    As Gangnus pointed out though, none of the answers there address the main question here. So I've edited the "Why not?" questions out and just linked to the question on that subject.
    – T.E.D. ♦
    Jan 19, 2017 at 16:22
  • 4
    I don't think this is a true duplicate. The linked question is asking why it wasn't done, this question is asking what specifically was tried that ended up failing. Consider as an analogy the difference between asking "Why haven't humans colonized Mars yet?" and "What serious proposals for a Mars colony have been developed or submitted to a space agency?"
    – Robert Columbia ♦
    Jan 19, 2017 at 18:16
  • 2
    I agree. This is a different question. And, the suggested duplicate focuses on what seem to be the causes of the revolution, not really what (if anything) was done about new seats in parliament.
    – DBWeinstein
    Jan 19, 2017 at 18:27

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
2

Yes, once Benjamin Franklin was sent by the colonists just before the Stamp Act. The colonists had disagreed on what he should say, though, so he told Parliament that the colonists were angry because the taxes were "sneaky"- they didn't know how much they were being taxed and it felt like Parliament was taxing them behind their backs. Parliament cooperated and created the Stamp Act, which was very in-your-face to the colonists, supposedly what they had wanted, according to Franklin. As you likely know, though, the colonists didn't like that much either.

Also, other colonists could have been sent, obviously, but without planes and modern travel technology, it'd take months for colonists to be transported. This would also mean they'd be behind on the news and the spirit of the times. Just reading letters from friends or relatives about what's happening is much different from actually being there. The king, according to the Declaration of Independence, "called together legislative bodies at places unusual, uncomfortable, and distant from the depository of their public Records, for the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance with his measures", but that, by nature, wasn't effective either.

Improve this answer

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.