Prior to the French and Indian War the relationship between the British colonies and Britain was rooted in mercantilism. This economic trade sysytem was designed to enrich the mother country by using the colonies as the agent by which all the new resources from the new world could be allocated and sent to Britain.  As long as the colonies provided the resources Britain left the colonies alone to govern themselves. The colonies lived under this  'Salutory Neglect' for about 169 years or the end of the war. Although the British won the war, they did so at a great cost, the King was practically bankrupted. As a result the King and his Parliament began to pass laws that restricted colonial lofe. From taxes to the importation of goods the British crown seemed to be infringing upon the rights of the colonials as Englishmen. These impositions were viewed by the colonists as tyrannical because the colonists had no say in any of the matters. As far back as the Magna Carta of 1215 through the Glorious Revolution of 1688-89 the King was subjected to the will of his people. British subjects voted on such matters as increased taxes and since the colonists were denied this without representation in the Parliament they began to resent the crown and their views regarding their position as colonials began to change.  It is worth noting that their very arguments mirrored the arguments of the British people in 1215 and 1688-89.