chapter_3_the_americans

Key Events and Acts

Early Colonial Developments

• Navigation Acts (1651): Enacted by English Parliament to regulate colonial trade, ensuring that trade benefited England economically.

• Restoration of English Monarchy (1660): Charles II returned to power, restoring monarchy and parliamentary supremacy.

• Dominion of New England (1686): Created by James II to consolidate Northern colonies under royal control, led by Sir Edmund Andros.

• Glorious Revolution (1688): Parliament established supremacy over the monarchy, restoring colonies' charters and leading to more self-governance.

• College of William and Mary chartered (1693): Established in Williamsburg, Virginia, reflecting the growth of education in the colonies.

Key Treaties and Changes

• Treaty of Paris (1763): Ended the French and Indian War, recognizing British dominance in North America and leading to new colonial tensions.

• Act of Union (1707): United England and Wales with Scotland, forming Great Britain; significant political change in the British Isles.

Social and Economic History

Economic Relationships

• Mercantilism: Economic theory driving England’s interest in colonies; emphasized self-sufficiency and control of trade.

• Colonial Exports: Colonies exported raw materials like lumber, tobacco, and indigo to England and imported finished goods in return.

• Salutary Neglect: Policies relaxed enforcement of navigation laws, allowing for more colonial autonomy in trade.

The Role of Indigo

• Indigo Cultivation: Eliza Lucas Pinckney became the first to grow indigo in the colonies, contributing significantly to colonial agricultural economy and benefiting the British Empire.

• Economic Benefits: Indigo and other cash crops were pivotal for colonial trade, reinforcing the reliance on raw materials.

Cultural Dynamics

Religious Movements

• Great Awakening (1730s-1740s): Religious revival emphasizing personal faith and emotional connection to God, leading to greater religious diversity and questioning of authority.

• Enlightenment Influence: Intellectual movement emphasizing reason and scientific thought, shaping political ideas and leading to calls for individual rights.

Social Hierarchy in the South

• Plantation Economy: Focused on cash crops; slave labor became entrenched, leading to a rigid social hierarchy dominated by wealthy planters.

• Diverse Populations: Thousands of European immigrants contributed to social diversity; the treatment of women and enslaved individuals reflected systemic inequalities.

Colonial Governance and Control

Political Changes

• Royal Control: After the Glorious Revolution, colonies like Massachusetts lost self-governing charters and came under tighter royal controls, especially under Edmund Andros.

• Colonial Assemblies: Governors, usually appointed by the crown, often faced power struggles with local assemblies representing colonial interests.

Resistance to Control

• Colonial Smuggling: Many merchants engaged in illegal trade to bypass restrictive laws; this resistance set the stage for later conflicts with Britain.

• Stono Rebellion (1739): An early slave uprising that led to harsher slave laws and increased tensions in Southern colonies.

The French and Indian War

Conflict Overview

• Causes of War: Rivalry between Britain and France over territory and trade routes, particularly in the Ohio River Valley.

• Outcome: Culminated in significant British victory, altering the balance of power in North America.

• Consequences: Led to increased British taxation and control over colonial trade, heightening colonial discontent.

British Policies Post-War

• Proclamation of 1763: Restricted colonial expansion westward to prevent conflicts with Native Americans, causing frustration among colonists eager to settle new lands.

• Sugar Act (1764): Aimed at reducing smuggling and increasing British revenues, further straining colonial relations and pushing toward rebellion.

Conclusion

• Growing Tensions: As the colonies developed their identities and economies, the dichotomy between their interests and British control fostered a burgeoning desire for self-governance and independence.