Life in the English Colonies Chapter 4 Life in the English Colonies

Colonial Governments Each colony had a governor, and most were assisted by an advisory council 1619 – Virginia Assembly was the first colonial legislature in North America Town meeting – was the center of politics and people talked about and decided on issues of local interest, such as paying for schools. English Bill of Rights, an act reduced the powers of the English monarchy Magna Carta – All people are subject to the rule of law including the king (monarchy) First VA Assembly house was known as the Council of State 1685 – James II became king and believed the colonies were too independent 1686 – James II united all of the northern colonies under one government called the Dominion of New England

English Trade Laws England practiced mercantilism, a system of creating wealth through increased exports and accumulating precious metals in return. Parliament passed the Navigation Acts which limited colonial trade The 1660 Navigation Act forbade colonists from trading specific items with other countries other than England. The colonies would smuggle molasses, and Parliament responded with the Molasses Act of 1733, which placed duties on these items. The trade between American colonies and Great Britain took the form of triangular trade – a system in which goods and slaves were traded among the Americas, Britain and Africa.

Colonial Economy Middle Colonies New England Had more fertile soil and slightly milder climate than N.E. Grew large quantities of cash crops (crops that could be sold easily in the colonial and overseas markets) New England New England practice subsistence farming (producing just enough food for their families) due to the rocky soil that made large scale farming difficult. Many small businesses existed and nearly every town had a mill for grinding grain and sawing lumber. Shipbuilding and fishing were also important industries

The Great Awakening In the late 1730s through the 1740s, religious leaders began working to spread religious feeling in the colonies in a movement called the Great Awakening. This movement changed colonial religion and affected social/political life. Leaders such as Jonathon Edwards of Massachusetts gave dramatic sermons at emotional gatherings called revivals where people could be forgiven for their sins.

The Enlightenment During the 1600s people in Europe: began to examine the world. Scientists started to form basic laws that govern nature. These new ideas began the scientific revolution. Many colonists were also influenced by The Enlightenment, a movement in the 1700s that emphasized reason and logic. Enlightenment thinkers believed that there was a social contract between government and citizens. Enlightenment leader John Locke believed people were born with natural rights such as equality and liberty.

King Philip’s War Conflict broke out in 1675 between the Wampanoag Indians and colonists who wanted access to Indian lands. Metacoment, a Native American leader also known as King Philip lead his people against colonial militia. By the time fighting ended in 1676, 600 colonists and 3000 Indians were dead. Some Native American tribes allied with the colonists to fight against Metacoment. French colonist allied with the Algonquian and Huron English colonists allied with the Iroquois League, which was united group of six different Native American groups 2nd Bullet - They did this to protect the trade relationships they had formed, which they had come to depend on.

King Philip’s War Tensions had arisen between New England colonist and the Wampanoag. Wampanoag leader Metacomet (aka King Philip) opposed the colonists’ efforts to take his people’s lands. 1675 it erupted as King Philip’s War The colonial militia fought Native American warriors and both attacked each other’s settlements Fighting ended in 1676 with about 600 colonists and 3000 Native Americans being killed, including Metacomet. Native Americans allied with colonists to fight against Metacomet and his forces because they’d developed trade relations with the colonists. French colonists traded and allied with the Algoniquian and Huron; the English allied with the Iroquois League (an alliance between 5, then 6 Native American nations)

War Erupts “French and Indian War” aka “Seven Years War” British colonists wanted to settle in the Ohio River Valley to take advantage of the fur trade French opposed because it would hurt the fur trade profits. Fighting erupted in 1753 as the British military moved to take over the valley. George Washington arrived with more troops and after many casualties, he surrendered and it was the start of the French and Indian War. Leaders of the colonies had a convention and created the Albany Plan that would unite the colonies for defense 1756 - fighting began in Europe, which became known as the Seven Years War

Treaty of Paris 1759 – British general James Wolfe captured Quebec, gaining the advantage in the war 1763 – Britain and France signed the Treaty of Paris, officially ending the war. Treaty gave Canada to Britain; Britain also gained all French lands east of the Mississippi River except New Orleans Spain allied with France 1762 and Britain obtained Florida. Spain received Louisiana Treaty of Paris changed the balance of power in North America and British settlers began moving west to settle new lands.

Western Frontier Most colonial settlers live along the Atlantic coast; many began moving into the Ohio River Valley and beyond the Appalachian Mountains Ottawa Chief Pontiac opposed British settlement of this new land. Pontiac’s Rebellion began in May 1763 when he attacked British forts and ended in 1766 when Pontiac surrendered. They captured or destroyed seven forts; British feared of more fighting if colonists kept moving onto NA’s lands. 1763 King George III issued Proclamation of 1763, which banned British settlement west of the Appalachian Mountains; also ordered settlers to leave the Upper Ohio Valley.