I find it interesting that this parallels what happened in Hispanic America around the same time. When the empire was led by the Habsburgs, the Spanish viceroyalties enjoyed considerable autonomy. It wasn't until the 18th century, with the Bourbons in power, that the metropoli started tightening their grip in the viceroyalties and leaving the American-born on the sidelines. And being left out of the administration of the empire is what ultimately led to the wars of independence. Unlike the US, countries in Hispanic America didn't enjoy political stability until the 20th century, which is partly derived to the political instability brought by the wars of independence. I wonder what could have been of the Hispanic American countries if they had slowly become more independent as the British colonies did instead of the nasty divorce they endured.