What was the british attitude toward the colonies in the early 1600s and 1700s?

In the early 1600s and 1700s, the British attitude toward the colonies was largely one of economic exploitation and strategic expansion. The colonies were viewed as sources of raw materials and markets for British goods, with the mercantilist policy emphasizing the importance of trade and resource extraction. Additionally, there was a paternalistic view that saw the colonies as needing guidance and governance from the mother country. However, as the colonies grew in autonomy and population, tensions began to rise over issues of representation and taxation, foreshadowing future conflicts.