Topic 2.4 Transatlantic Trade

triangular trade

• a three-part route merchant ships regularly followed that connected North America, Africa, and Europe

• a typical voyage would be:

  • 1) leave a port in New England and carry rum across the Atlantic to West Africa which would be traded for hundreds of captive Africans

  • 2) ship would set out on the terrible Middle Passage — Africans who survived would be traded in the West Indies for sugarcane

  • 3) the ship would return to New England port where sugar would be sold and made into rum

mercantilism

• an economic theory that a country’s wealth was determined by how much more it exported than it imported

• governments would promote sales of goods to other countries while discouraging purchases through tariffs

• European rulers implemented mercantilist policies from the beginning of colonization

Navigation Acts

• established 3 rules for colonial trade:

  • trade to and from the colonies could be carried only by English or colonial-built ships, operated only by English or colonial crews

  • all goods imported to the colonies, except for some perishables, had to pass through ports in England

  • Specified or “enumerated” goods from the colonies could be exported to England only. Tobacco was the original “enumerated” good, but over the years, the list greatly expanded

salutary neglect

• an unwritten policy and a period of time when England was very lax (not severe) in enforcing regulations

King James II

• succeeded to the throne in 1685, and was determined to increase royal control over the colonies by combining them into larger administrative units and doing away with representative assemblies

Dominion of New England

• combination of New York, New Jersey, and various New England colonies in 1686 by King James II

Sir Edmund Andros

• sent from England to serve as governor of the Dominion of New England

• was instantly unpopular as he levied (impose) taxes, limited town meetings, and revoked land titles

Glorious Revolution of 1688

• an uprising caused by unhappiness of James II attempting to assert his powers

• succeeded in deposing James and replacing him with William and Mary — brought the Dominion of New England to an end