Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages that the American colonies had under the British colonial system.

The main advantages that the American colonies had was
that they were part of the British Empire.  This meant a great deal.  It meant a lot
economically.  That is because in those days there was little free trade and so
countries did always accept trade with other countries.  Because the colonies were part
of the Empire, they could trade with the richest empire on
earth.

It also meant that the colonies were relatively
safe.  The British were arguably the strongest military nation in the world at the time
and they, without question, had the strongest navy.  This helped protect the
colonies.

The main disadvantage was that the colonists had
to obey a variety of rules that were imposed on them by the British.  They had to obey
British rules on trade, especially.  In addition, they were not directly represented in
the British Parliament and so had less political power than people in England
did.