How does a referendum give people more influence in government ​

Explanation:

They give voters power over their laws and government officials. ... They created a cycle of favors for votes.

the first two years of american revolution was not very encouraging for the patriots since the british were far superior in sea power, arms and troops.

less available tax revenue

this basically means that when they get money from taxes wirth having a lower gdp they get less then what others have with a higher gdp