h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Well, I'm going to be doing some research on this topic here

"What basic constitutional principles were reflected in the governments of all the American colonies?"

With the subquestion of

"Which of those constitutional principles were derived from the English experience in developing representative government?"

Are there any historical government scholars here willing to share their knowledge?

Blatherskite the Mugwump or Jimi X would be the people that I'd talk to. Both have done entries on that period from the American veiwpoint.

My sense is that it wasn't nearly as bad as all that. Most of the conditions here were very pleasant compared to the way people had to live in England. The crown governed the colnies with benign neglect. After the expense of the French and Indian War, the king wanted to recoup some of his losses. The government increased the taxes on the colonies to something less than what they were paying in England. We were outraged, and rebeled. At least that's my understaning of it.

Of course, if the founding fathers were around today, they'd be geraring up for revolution again. What with absurdly high taxes and our populace made soft by too much handholding from the government. Or more likely, they'd go colconize somewhere else.

I really know most of that type of information already. What I'm lacking is the "English experience in developing representative government" part.

When it comes to English government in the 18th century my knowledge is a bit lacking.