Question

Why did the colonists first accept and then later reject indirect taxes such as duties on trade

Answer 1

Initially, the colonists accepted these taxes because they were lightly enforced by the government. These taxes were also light themselves, and were not a harsh payment to make for imports. When the British government did enforce these light duties and eventually added more direct taxes, the colonists feared that by accepting these, they would lose their property and political rights to the British. In the end, the colonists opposed all taxes imposed on them by the government.