Chapter 3.3England Becomes Involved in the Colonies’ Affairs

Why Would England Want to

Become Involved in the Colonies’

Affairs?

England and MercantilismMercantilism is an economic theory

to help countries become more powerful, wealthy, and self-sufficient.

Mercantilism-A country needs more gold and silver than other countries to be more powerful and wealthy.

To get more gold and silver, you sell MORE to other countries and buy LESS from them.

America and China

MercantilismYou Export (sell) more than you

Import (buy).

Just like with your wallet. You keep more money in your wallet by spending less of your money, while making more of it working, getting an allowance, etc.

MercantilismMercantilists also believed a

country needs to be self-sufficient in regards to raw materials.

Colonies should be exploited to get these raw materials.

These raw materials would be bought from the colony, and then the manufactured goods would be sold to the colony for profit.

Colonies and SweatersSo if America grew cotton,

England would buy the cotton cheap.

Then England would make a sweater out of cotton, and then sell that sweater in America for a higher price than it took to buy the cotton.

England gets a profit, and we get a sweater.

Mercantilism, Good or Bad?

GoodColonies have a market for their raw

materials and get more manufactured goods.

BadColonies can only sell raw materials to the

home country or sometimes even buy manufactured goods from the home country.

The colonies might not have raw materials the home country wants, so the colony does not get any gold/silver for them, and then they can’t buy manufactured goods.

Mercantilism’s Significance

England did not care for most of the goods the New England Colonies produced, so the New England Colonies became involved in the Triangular Trade and smuggling.

Mercantilism also led to England wanting to exploit and control the colonies more for its own benefits, which would later cause the American Revolutionary War.

The Navigation ActsCharles II comes to the throne as a result of

the Restoration in 1660. He wants more power and wealth, so he

uses Mercantilism.Charles II asked Parliament to pass a

Navigation Act-1) All goods to or from America must be

carried on English ships2) 3/4ths of the ship crew had to be English.3) Sugar, Tobacco, Lumber, Cotton, Wool,

and Indigo could only be sold to England or other English Colonies.

The Navigation ActsStaple Act (1663)All things imported or exported

from the colonies must go through England.

Ships would need to take a detour to England going to or from the colonies – pay taxes, and pay for the cost of an English ship and crew.

The Significance of the Navigation Acts

England became richer.Americans did not profit as much

as they would have without the Navigation Acts in place.

Colonists smuggle.Colonists grow to resent

England’s greed and interference.

America’s Big MouthJohn Lavarett, Massachusetts’

governor, tells England that Massachusetts only needs to obey Parliament when it suits Massachusetts' interests.

1684- Charles II revokes Massachusetts’ charter and it becomes a royal colony.

James IINew England’s resistance to the

Navigation Acts led to James II forming the Dominion of New England.

1688-Massachusetts, Plymouth, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York became a part of the Dominion of New England.

Dominion of New EnglandThe Dominion was run by a

governor-general and councilors who made decisions regarding laws, taxes, justice, and land grants.

The king appointed the governor-general and councilors.

All colonial assemblies were abolished.

Sir Edmund AndrosThe first governor-general, chosen by James II.

Why people hated him1) He made only Anglican marriages lawful2) Puritans would have to give up their meeting

halls every other Sunday Service for Anglicans. 3) He wanted to overturn colonial government4) All land bought under the Massachusetts

Charter now needs to be re-bought, and you are taxed for it annually.

5) Enforced the Navigation Acts6) People cannot teach school without

permission

The Glorious Revolution of 1688

James II was not popular. 1) He claimed to have divine right to

rule.2) Rejected Parliamentary advice3) Revoked Colonial Charters4) Catholic5) Persecuted people who went against

his wishes

So he needs to go bye-bye according to the English populace and Parliament.

Why 1688 for a Glorious Revolution?

James II’s male heir was born in 1688, and he would be raised Catholic.

Parliament invite James II’s daughter, Mary and her Husband William of Orange to come rule England because she is a Protestant.

James II flees, and the lack of bloodshed leads to it being called the Glorious Revolution.

The English Bill of Rights1689- William and Mary must swear an oath to obey

Parliament or they cannot take the throne.

The English Bill of Rights – 1) The king can’t suspend laws and create his own

courts2) King can’t impose taxes or raise army without

Parliament’s consent.3) Freedom of speech within Parliament4) Banned excessive bail and cruel and unusual

punishments5) Every English citizen has the right to petition the

king6) Every English citizen has the right to an impartial

jury

Toleration Act1689- Parliament grants the

freedom of religion to almost all Protestants.

Catholics and Jews – not included.

The Significance of The Glorious Revolution and Toleration Act

The English Bill of Rights and Toleration Act influenced the Declaration of Independence and how colonists viewed the government.

Revolution against a king is justified again (Remember Charles I?).

The colonists imprison Andros and the councilors, and they are shipped to England.

William and Mary disband the Dominion of New England and make a charter for Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth, and Maine to form the Royal Colony of Massachusetts. They do not reinstate former charters.

John Locke

Two Treatises of GovernmentMonarchs ruled by consent of the

people.Natural Rights- all people have

right to life, liberty, and property. Social Contract Theory- People

agree to obey government laws, and the government protects their natural rights.

Kings can be overthrown if they break the contract.