I’m aware one of the main points of contention that caused the American revolution was the idea that taxation without representation was unjust, but why did the British prefer to fight wars than have its colonies represented in parliament?
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First of all the representation issue is relatively minor in the cause of the revolution. It’s a great slogan but really the colonists wanted their respective colonial legislatures to be their only authorities. Which is how it was for a long time under a period of time called benign neglect.
The colonies had been essentially self governing for generations in the mid 18th century. Making private fortunes for individuals on both sides of the Atlantic.
Post French and Indian War, after Britain annexed much of what was formerly French territory in North America Parliament started using its authority to implement policies like the various taxes and limit westward expansion into newly acquired lands.
The no “taxation without representation” is less about demanding representation and more about denying Parliaments authority.
Secondly Parliament was controlled by elite landed gentry and had been since its inception. Any change to who and how those seats were assigned was a massive change that those in power in Parliament didn’t want to face. Because then they would have to face the possibility of changing how their representation and who could vote for it would be managed back home too.
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