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British rule

Definition

British rule refers to the time period when the American colonies were under the control and governance of Great Britain. It lasted from the early 1600s until the American Revolutionary War in 1775.

Analogy

Imagine you are living with your parents, who have strict rules and regulations that you must follow. They make all the decisions for you, and you don't have much say in how things are done at home. That's what it was like for the American colonies under British rule.

Related terms

Independence: The state of being free from outside control or domination. After experiencing life under British rule, the American colonists desired independence.

Tyranny: The abuse of power by a governing authority, often resulting in oppression and lack of individual freedoms. Fears of tyranny influenced the development of safeguards against a strong central government in the U.S. Constitution.

Revolutionary War: A war fought by Americans against Great Britain to gain independence. The experiences during this war further solidified concerns about a centralized government and influenced constitutional development.