HISTORIANS HELP ME OUT: what does "no taxation without representation" mean?

Question

I know it had something to do with the stamp act of 1765, but why those exact words? what were people representing?

Answer 1

The unrepresented people were the American Colonists. The British Parliament had levied the tax to help pay for the costs of the French and Indian War (Seven Year's War). The colonists were not given a voice in Parliament to argue their case, and so felt the tax levy was unfair.

Answer 2

"No taxation without representation" was a catchphrase in the period 1763-1775 that summarized a primary grievance of the American colonists in the Thirteen colonies. The colonists complained that taxes were imposed by the imperial government in London, without the consent of the colonists, which violated the traditional rights of Englishmen. 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 The Americans rejected the Stamp Act 1765 (which was repealed), and in 1773 violently rejected the tax on tea at the Boston Tea Party. When Great Britain began to crackdown on the illegal activities performed by the colonists, the colonists formed militias and seized control of each colony, ousting the royal governors. The complaint was never over the amount of taxation (which was small), but always on the decision-making process by which taxes were decided in London, without representation for the colonists in British Parliament.

Answer 3

Under the English Bill of Rights, British citizens were guaranteed that no taxation could be imposed by royal decree. Taxation required the consent of Parliament. Although the American colonists were considered to be English citizens, they did not have the right to elect representatives to Parliament. The Stamp Act, which levied a tax to pay for the expenses of the French and Indian War, was thus viewed as illegal on this side of the Atlantic. The lack of representation and continued attempts to impose taxation directly resulted in the Revolution.

Answer 4

None of the Colonies had any representation in the British Parliament and so they demanded the same to instigate the revolutionary cause. Fact is Manchester had a larger population than any Colony and they didn't revolt. Still the Stamp Act only effected the colonies and if you think about it being tax only on British import goods the taxes we pay today make a mockery of the whole revolt!

Answer 5

The people were representing the over taxed colonists, no taxation without representation, means that a person can't be taxed without having someone argue their case.

Answer 6

Back then the people who settled in America were not being represented politically in their homeland (England), but they were still expected to pay taxes. That's like being a Native Texan, having to pay income tax (and any other tax for that matter), but having no say-so about how your state is run.