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"'''No taxation without representation'''" was a slogan in the period 1763-1775 that summarized one of [[27 colonial grievances]] of the American colonists in the [[Thirteen colonies]]. The colonists complained that taxes were imposed by Parliament without the consent of the colonists, which violated the traditional [[Rights of Englishmen]] dating back centuries. The point was that the colonies had no representation in Parliament; the British responded that they were "virtually" represented. The Americans said these "virtual representatives" knew nothing about America.  

"'''No taxation without representation'''" was a slogan in the period 1763-1775 that summarized one of [[27 colonial grievances]] of the American colonists in the [[Thirteen colonies]]. The colonists complained that taxes were imposed by Parliament without the consent of the colonists, which violated the traditional [[Rights of Englishmen]] dating back centuries. The point was that the colonies had no representation in Parliament; the British responded that they were "virtually" represented. The Americans said these "virtual representatives" knew nothing about America.  

The Americans strenuously rejected the [[Stamp Act of 1765]] (which was repealed), and in 1773 violently rejected the tax on tea imports at the Boston Tea Party.  Britain retaliated against Boston in a chain of episodes that led to armed rebellion in 1775 and the [[American Revolution]]. The colonists formed militias and seized control of each colony, ousting the royal governors. The complaint was never officially over the amount of taxation (which was low), but always on the decision-making process by which taxes were decided in London, without representation for the colonists in British Parliament.

The Americans strenuously rejected the [[Stamp Act of 1765]] (which was repealed), and in 1773 the [[Sons of Liberty]] violently rejected the tax on tea imports at the [[Boston Tea Party]].  Britain retaliated against Boston in a chain of episodes that led to armed rebellion in 1775 and the [[American Revolution]]. The colonists formed militias and seized control of each colony, ousting the royal governors. The complaint was never officially over the amount of taxation (which was low), but always on the decision-making process by which taxes were decided in London, without representation for the colonists in British Parliament.

Some radical Patriots tarred and feathered tax collectors and customs officers, making those positions dangerous, especially in [[New England]]<ref>Benjamin H. Irvin, "Tar and Feathers in Revolutionary America," (2003) [http://revolution.h-net.msu.edu/essays/irvin.feathers.html online edition]</ref>

Some radical Patriots tarred and feathered tax collectors and customs officers, making those positions dangerous, especially in [[New England]]<ref>Benjamin H. Irvin, "Tar and Feathers in Revolutionary America," (2003) [http://revolution.h-net.msu.edu/essays/irvin.feathers.html online edition]</ref>