Constitutional Relationship Between Britain and the American Colonies Before 1776

Anaxagoras

Banned
Before the Declaration of Independence (or, if you insist, the ratification of the Treaty of Paris in 1783), what exactly was the constitutional relationship between the United Kingdom and the thirteen American colonies? Were the colonies territories of the United Kingdom or were they, as the patriots insisted, separate polities sharing allegiance to the British crown, rather like the relationship between Scotland and England between 1603 and 1707?
 

TFSmith121

Banned
No representation in Parliament would suggest they were not

Before the Declaration of Independence (or, if you insist, the ratification of the Treaty of Paris in 1783), what exactly was the constitutional relationship between the United Kingdom and the thirteen American colonies? Were the colonies territories of the United Kingdom or were they, as the patriots insisted, separate polities sharing allegiance to the British crown, rather like the relationship between Scotland and England between 1603 and 1707?

No representation in Parliament would suggest they were not part of the United Kingdom, correct? I mean, even the Scots got representation in London...

British subjects in the colonies were just that, subjects. They had no direct voice in London, whatsoever, as individuals or residents of a given political unit...unless, I suppose, some individuals also managed to maintain the requirements of residency or whatever it took to gain the franchise in Britain.

Best,
 
No representation in Parliament would suggest they were not part of the United Kingdom, correct? I mean, even the Scots got representation in London...

British subjects in the colonies were just that, subjects. They had no direct voice in London, whatsoever, as individuals or residents of a given political unit...unless, I suppose, some individuals also managed to maintain the requirements of residency or whatever it took to gain the franchise in Britain.

Best,

And IIRC, the monarch actually wielded more power in America than in Britain, as he appointed the colonial governors. The elected legislatures of the colonies controlled the governor's salary, but he could dissolve them if he wanted.
 
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