Chapter 3.3 England Becomes Involved in the Colonies’ Affairs

Why Would England Want to Become Involved in the Colonies’ Affairs?

England and Mercantilism Mercantilism 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

Mercantilism You 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.

Mercantilism Mercantilists 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 Sweaters So 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? Good Colonies have a market for their raw materials and get more manufactured goods. Bad Colonies 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 Acts Charles II comes to the throne as a result of the Restoration in 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 ships 2) 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 Acts Staple 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 Mouth John Lavarett, Massachusetts’ governor, tells England that Massachusetts only needs to obey Parliament when it suits Massachusetts' interests Charles II revokes Massachusetts’ charter and it becomes a royal colony.

James II New England’s resistance to the Navigation Acts led to James II forming the Dominion of New England Massachusetts, Plymouth, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New Jersey, and New York became a part of the Dominion of New England.

Dominion of New England The 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 Andros The first governor-general, chosen by James II. Why people hated him 1) He made only Anglican marriages lawful 2) Puritans would have to give up their meeting halls every other Sunday Service for Anglicans. 3) He wanted to overturn colonial government 4) All land bought under the Massachusetts Charter now needs to be re-bought, and you are taxed for it annually. 5) Enforced the Navigation Acts 6) 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 advice 3) Revoked Colonial Charters 4) Catholic 5) 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 Rights 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 courts 2) King can’t impose taxes or raise army without Parliament’s consent. 3) Freedom of speech within Parliament 4) Banned excessive bail and cruel and unusual punishments 5) Every English citizen has the right to petition the king 6) Every English citizen has the right to an impartial jury

Toleration Act 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 Government Monarchs 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.