1. POLI 101: U.S. Government
Dr. Kevin Lasher

2. Colonial Period ( )

3. Colonial Period (1607-1776) Virginia in 1607; Georgia in 1732
Colonies “belonged” to British empire
85% of free settlers from Great Britain (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales)

4. Colonial Governments Governor appointed by British King
Judges appointed by British King
Legislatures elected by % of white, male citizens; legislatures had good deal of power

5. Colonial Governments
Colonial governments (legislatures) had good deal of “freedom” from British home rule
Salutary neglect

6. British Mercantilism
Great Britain would control trade between itself and colonies
Colonial economy should “serve” the Mother Country
Incomplete mercantilism during period of salutary neglect

7. American Character
British colonists were becoming Americans (a long process)
Freedom, social mobility, small farmers, early republicanism
Still thirteen “mini- counties” in 1775

8. Period of “Salutary Neglect”
1650 (?)
Mother country Great Britain did not have as much as control over its American colonies as it would have preferred
Civil war at home, war in Europe, distance, economic benefits
Partly intentional policy

9. Period of “Salutary Neglect”
American colonies (especially governing elites) had a good deal of freedom during this formative period
American colonists “liked” this arrangement very much; did not want it to end

10. End of “Salutary Neglect” in 1763
End of French-Indian War (1763) in North America
Rising British costs of protecting colonies
Mother country should exercise “control”

11. End of “Salutary Neglect”
Series of taxes imposed to raise money for administration of colonies
Enforce mercantilism
Curtail “freedom” of colonies

12. Period of Growing Tension
(just twelve years)
Long, difficult process
Revolutionary War begins in 1775; lasts
US close to defeat on several occasions