Colonial Economics and the Seven Years' War

Vocabulary flashcards covering the economic systems of the American colonies, British trade laws, and the impact of the Seven Years' War.

Mercantilism

The economic system where colonies exist to provide raw materials to the colonizer (England) and all trade is intended to benefit the mother country.

The Navigation Acts (1651)

Laws requiring all colonial trade to be on English ships, and goods from colonies to Europe to pass through English ports to pay taxes.

Tobacco, sugar, and cotton

Key raw materials from the colonies that, under the Navigation Acts, could only be sold to England.

Salutary Neglect

An unofficial policy during most of the 1700s where the Navigation Acts were the law but were not strictly enforced by England.

Seven Years’ War

A global conflict from 1756-1763 involving Britain and Prussia against France, Austria, and Russia; it was expensive and resulted in huge debt for Britain.

World War Zero

A term used to describe the Seven Years’ War as the first major global conflict.

French and Indian War

The name for the Seven Years’ War specifically as it was fought in the Americas.

1763

The year the Seven Years’ War ended, marking the point when Britain began collecting taxes and ended the policy of Salutary Neglect.

Mother Country

The term used in mercantilism to describe the colonizer, such as England, who receives raw materials from its colonies.