Why did the british government relax rules regulating trade for the american colonies in the late 1600s? . a- the british hoped the colonies would become wealthier and spend more on manufactured goods from britain.. b- the british were afraid the colonists would revolt because they wanted a form of self-government.. c- the british wanted to weaken britain’s trade rivals, especially the netherlands.. d- the british wanted the colonists to develop a form of self-government similar to the representative body in britain.