Subjects of the United Kingdom took ship to North America in the 17th and 18th centuries for many different reasons. Many hoped for a new life beyond the reach of the British Crown.
Over time the Crown asserted increasing control over the North American colonies encroaching on liberties the colonists had enjoyed for generations. Individual liberty was a radical concept in 1776. The world was governed by kings, queens, emperors, and empresses with absolute power.
They taxed their subjects at their pleasure. They required work or military service from their subjects when and where they willed. They made law and changed it when they wished. Louis the 14th of France famously said, “I am the State.” – And he was.
People were known as subjects because they were subject to the whim of monarchy. Calling the citizenry subjects implies ownership of them by the State. When the government can subject people to taxes, property confiscation, required labor, imprisonment, and execution they are for all practical purposes owned by the State.
This was the norm in 1776.
Links to Other Posts in the Special Report: Liberty is Radical
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