I don't understand what this historical text is talking about? ?

Question

"In 1700 there were twenty English subjects for each American colonist. By 1775 the English advantage in numbers had fallen to three to one---setting the stage for a momentous shift in the balance of power between the colonies and Britain."

I'm having trouble comprehending that, so please help me by explaining! Thank you.

Answer 1

Red4 is largely correct. In 1700, the American colonies were completely dependent upon England because of their small numbers and the government in England could treat them any way they pleased which they regularly did.

By 1775, the colonies had been extremely prosperous and were now competitive with England in many ways, but the English government continued to treat them as powerless vassals to the crown. This shift of power would have explosive repercussions.

Answer 2

It means that there was a population growth in America. It went from the English outnumbering the Americans 20 to 1 to only to 3 to 1.

Answer 3

The American colonies population doubled every twenty years, so the ratio of British to American decreased constantly.

Answer 4

In 1700 there were twenty  times as many people in England than there were in the colonies. seventy five years later there were only three times as many British as Americans. This changed the relationship between the countries a lot.