An interesting question to ask ourselves is whether being under British rule hampered the economic growth of the colonies. In hindsight, do you believe that the British had the colonies under what I referred to in the lectures as an oppressive mercantilist system? Why or why not?

Also, suppose that after becoming independent, we notice that economic growth is faster in the US than what it was before becoming independent. Should that convince us that being under British rule was having a negative impact on the colonies' economic growth? Why or why not?