2.1.II British Colonial By Cole and Shelby

Main idea The distance and Britain’s lax attention led to the colonies creating self governing institutions that were mostly democratic.

Supporting events The Mayflower Contract- in 1620, this legal instrument bound the pilgrims together when they arrived at New England. Here, everyone acted together, but each person had a say. The Maryland Toleration Act- in 1649, the “Act Concerning Religion” was passed to mandate religious freedom. Unfortunately, it did not bring a complete end to religious discrimination. The intentions of the act though, were in favor of the people. The House of Burgesses- when Governor George Yeardly arrived at Jamestown, he immediately created a legislative assembly for the Virginia Colony. This assembly first met on July 30, 1619. Massachusetts General Court- is the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. This was composed of the people.

The House of Burgesses

2.2.I Colonial ties to Britain

Main idea The presence of different European cultures contributed to pluralism and intellectual exchange which were enhanced by the First Great Awakening and the spread of European Enlightenment ideas.

Supporting events The Great Awakening- Protestant religious revival that swept Protestant Europe and British America in the 1730s and 1740s Jonathan Edwards- Yale minister who refused to convert to the Church of England. He thought the New Englanders were too concerned about world matters. George Whitefield- a minister from Britain who toured the American colonies. “New lights Vs. old lights”- awakening preachers set up their own schools and churches throughout the colonies, VS. ministers refused to accept this new style of worship. Enlightenment- European intellectual movement of the 17th and 18th centuries in which ideas concerning God, reason, nature, and humanity John Locke- most influential enlightenment thinker, worked to develop Liberalism

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lfYCAWIP0nU

Main idea British colonies experienced gradual anglicization over time, developing political communities based on English models with influence from many sources.

Supporting events Anglicization- becoming English Republicanism- self-government by a community of citizens Salutary Neglect- British Crown policy of avoiding strict enforcement of parliamentary laws meant to keep American colonies obedient to England. Trial of John Peter Zenger- he was hauled off to jail after printing a newspaper that opposed the government and pointed out the actions of the corrupt royal governor, William Cosby. He had the most famous lawyer in the colonies, Andrew Hamilton. He was found not guilty. This was a start to the “Freedom of Press” from the first amendment.

Main idea The British government increased attempts to incorporate the colonies into their government structure, but conflicts with colonist and American Indians led to enforcement of imperial policies.

Supporting events Mercantilism- A system in which the colonies were to enrich the mother country, so restrictions were put on the colonies to improve British economy Board of Trade- Never had any authority. It was more of a group to collect info about the colonies and report to Britain Navigation Act of the 1660s- Restrictions were placed on the colonies on the goods they could export and where they could send them Wool Act of 1699- Prevent exportation of wool out of kingdoms or Ireland and england into foreign part for the encouragement of woolen manufactures in the kingdom Molasses Act of 1733- tax of 6 pence per gallon on molasses imported from foreign countries

Main idea Colonist resistance to the imperial control drew on local experiences of self government and ideas of liberty, political enlightenment, independence, and diversity led to the corruption of imperial system.

Supporting events Widespread smuggling- People smuggled goods to avoid the restrictions put on the colonies by the British Dominion of New England- Merger of Connecticut, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island was created to attempt to give greater power to the monarchy over colonial administration but was disbanded

Works Cited ushistory.org dictionary.com