Growing Democracy

Conflict in England  While the American colonies were being settled, civil war and political changes were causing problems in England.  American colonies were generally left alone to handle their own issues.  When the English monarchy was restored in 1660, it turned its attention to America.

King Charles II & King James II  Charles II – King of England – wanted more control over the colonies and their profitable trade.  King Charles II chartered new royal colonies and chose the governor and council.  King Charles II died in His brother James, Duke of York became King of England.  King James tried to unite New England, New York and New Jersey as the “Dominion of New England.”  He appointed a governor and council and got rid of assemblies elected by colonists.

Sir Edmund Andros  Sir Edmund Andros = the royal governor of the dominion.  Governor Andros set up new rules in the colonies.  Placed restrictions on New England town meetings, schools, and the press.  Did not think colonists rights were important  Tried to replace Puritan’s Congregational Church with the Anglican Church

The Glorious Revolution  English people were afraid King James II would try to make England Roman Catholic.  In 1688, English Parliament unseated King James II and gave the throne to James’ daughter, Mary and her husband, William of Orange.  People were so happy about this peaceful change, it became known as the Glorious Revolution.  William and Mary agreed to a bill of rights to limit their power as King and Queen of England  English Bill of Rights

The Glorious Revolution  When the people in Boston heard about the changes in England they began to move against Governor Andros (he was appointed by King James II).  Andros tried to escape, but was caught, imprisoned, and sent back to England. This ended the Dominion of New England  William and Mary restored elected assemblies in the colonies.  Assemblies did not have a lot of power and Royal Governors still had the final authority over colonial assemblies and courts.

Bacon’s Rebellion  In 1676 Nathanial Bacon – a planter in Virginia – claimed that Governor William Berkeley was not doing his job.  Bacon claimed that Berkeley was not protecting the frontier from raids by Native Americans and was more interested in the profit from fur trade.  Bacon’s Rebellion – Bacon led 300 small farmers and servants in a raid against the Native Americans.

Bacon’s Rebellion  Civil war broke out between Bacon’s volunteers and the governor’s troops.  Farmers marched on Jamestown, demanded other changes and later burned the town.  The governor fled.  The Rebellion was getting more popular until Bacon died  The rebellion collapsed after his death.

Bacon’s Rebellion  Bacon’s Rebellion was a success.  Charles II ordered Governor Berkeley back to England to explain how he allowed such disorder in Virginia.  Berkeley died before he could talk to the King.  Governors after Berkeley ruled very differently.  They relaxed their control over the colony.  They allowed Virginians more voice in their own government.

Control on Trade  England wanted its colonies to be profitable.  In 1650 Parliament began to pass laws to regulate trade.  This had both positive and negative effects on the colonies.  Colonies that belonged to England relied on Mercantilism.  To gain wealth, they had to sell more goods than they bought.

Control on Trade  Mercantilism worked for England because the colonies provided more raw materials to England and colonists were a market for products from England.  England passed the Navigation Acts to make sure mercantilism was effective.  Only use English ships for trade  Products could only be sold to England  Only buy products from England – otherwise they would be taxed through England.  Fees put on trade among colonies.

Ideas of Self Government  The restoration of colonial assemblies supported the colonists’ belief that English Parliament should listen to them.  Americans enjoyed their freedom to run local issues through their assemblies.  Colonies had an appointed governor and a legislature (law-making body) with 2 houses – the council and the assembly.  Similar to the organization of English Parliament.

Ideas of Self Government  Assemblies gained power to pass tax bills, decide how tax money would be spent, and military issues.  Compared to people in Europe, people in American colonies had an unusual chance to take part in their government.  Voters had to be: white, male, over 21, property owners.