Too strict, or not strict enough

[wcarlson]

So in the section the Americans wanted more freedom but the English didn't give it to them. In fact they ended up taking freedom away by making them pay extra taxes and not letting them move into the Ohio valley. I think that if the British had given them more freedom they might have stayed more loyal and not rebelled against the English. On the other hand I also think that there is a possibility that the American revolution wouldn't have happened if they didn't give them any freedom to begin with. The fact that the Brits gave them some freedoms and then took a bunch away makes me think that they kind of set themselves up for the revolution.

[Mr. Delainey]

You're absolutely right, Weston.

For instance, it's easier as a teacher to start off being strict. Then over time you can relax a bit once students understand the expectations and procedures in the classroom.

However, if you start off lax and then get strict the students will resent you for it. I think the same thing (as you described) basically happened between Britain and America, i.e. Britain gave freedom then took it and the Americans rebelled.

I think the British were scared that if they continued to give America freedom that, well, America would eventually seek outright independence. The British wanted to maintain their "empire" and I think they tried to put America in her place so as to maintain that empire. In the end, the British lost America anyways (and lost a lot of money and time and manpower in the process).