The English Colonies continued to grow despite many challenges 3.4 Colonial Life The English Colonies continued to grow despite many challenges

Colonial governments were influenced by political changes in England. Colonial governors Were assisted by advisory councils People selected the governor and council in proprietary colonies King selected governor and council in royal colonies WAIT!! Which colonies were royal colonies? Virginia New York New Jersey Massachusetts New Hampshire North Carolina South Carolina

Colonial governments were influenced by political changes in England. Elected representatives (like members of Parliament in England) Made laws Set policy Served on assemblies Passed laws after they have been approved by governor

Colonial governments were influenced by political changes in England. Virginia created the first colonial legislature in the year 1619. Virginia legislature was a single body that was later split into two houses One house Two house 2 groups of people makes the laws One group of people makes the laws Ex: House of representatives Ex: Senate

Colonial governments were influenced by political changes in England. Center of politics in New England was the town meeting, which was a regular gathering of townspeople to discuss local issues (like paying for schools) Southern colonies: too far apart  less town meetings, more county meetings Middle colonies: town and county meetings New England colonies: town meetings regular

Colonial governments were influenced by political changes in England. King James II comes to power in 1686 He believed he should control all of English government In 1686, he created Dominion of New England with Sir Edmund Andros as governor Colonists = angry I control all!

Colonial governments were influenced by political changes in England. Parliament replaced King James II and passed English Bill of Rights, which reduced the powers of the monarch. How did the Bill of Rights change government? Colonists valued their right to decide on local issues.

Colonial governments were influenced by political changes in England. Courts Used for controlling local affairs Reflected beliefs of local communities Protected individual freedoms

English trade laws limited free trade in the colonies. Why did England want to have control of American colonies? Mercantilism: system of carefully controlled trade to create and maintain wealth

English trade laws limited free trade in the colonies. NAVIGATION ACTS (1650-1696) Why? To make more money for England (at colonists’ expense) Colonists couldn’t trade sugar or cotton with any other country (only England) Sure, but you can only buy it from me and I am going to charge more than everyone else! I need to buy cotton to make my dress King William Colonist

English trade laws limited free trade in the colonies. NAVIGATION ACTS (1650-1696) England liked these acts they made money Claimed it was good for colonists to have steady market for goods Colonists did NOT like acts  unfair Wanted to trade with whomever because they could get the best price RESULT = Smuggling (colonists traded illegally)

English trade laws limited free trade in the colonies. Triangular Trade: System in which goods and slaves were traded between Africa, Britain, and Americas

English trade laws limited free trade in the colonies. Americans trade sugar (molasses) for people (slaves) Middle Passage: Journey from Africa to Americas (up to 3 months) Conditions = BRUTAL Lived in small spaces Slaves died of disease Hot Contaminated food and water Slaves only allowed above deck for an hour per day Many of them were chained on their backs for 23 hours per day

The great Awakening and Enlightenment led to ideas of political equality among many colonists. Great Awakening: religious movement that swept through colonies in 1730s-1740s Jonathan Edwards Massachusetts Seek forgiveness for your sins or face punishment in hell forever. George Whitefield Held revivals from Georgia to New England Why did people listen? Ideas from other colonies, talking about issues that affected many people People changed got more involved with political and social issues

The great Awakening and Enlightenment led to ideas of political equality among many colonists. Enlightenment: movement that spread the idea that logic and reason could improve society Social contract between government and citizens People have natural rights like equality and liberty (John Locke) Running government should be logical