1. Why did molasses matter?
To American colonists, molasses, a sticky, sweet syrup byproduct of sugar processing, was a vital item. It was used as a sweetener in cakes and pies, and was used to make rum, the most popular drink in the colonies. Most of the colonies’ sugar and molasses came from the Caribbean. With the Molasses Act of 1733, Parliament imposed stiff taxes on “foreign” sugar to force colonists to buy from the British West Indies. Instead, colonists bought from smugglers. Smuggling of sugar and molasses was so successful that tax collection actually dropped after passage of the Molasses Act.

2. What is Mercantilism?
A nation should export more than it imports to get the most gold possible
A nation’s real wealth is measured in gold
There is a fixed amount of wealth in the world
Government regulation is needed to control trade
Wealth = larger military

3. Mercantilism
Colonists smuggled goods because they felt England was taxing them unfairly.
The English felt taxing was fair because profit was the major incentive for colonizing America.
Mercantilism: a nation’s power was directly related to its wealth
Balance of Trade: a goal of mercantilism; the colonists could supply raw materials to England and could buy English goods

4. Role of the Colonies Exist for the benefit of Mother Country
Provide resources not available in Europe
Served as a market for the Mother Country’s manufactured goods

5. MERCANTILISM COLONIES ENGLAND $$$ RESOURCES TIMBER IRON FISH
MANUFACTURED GOODS
ENGLAND
INDIGO
RICE
COTTON

6. British Trade Restrictions
England prevented its colonies from trading with other nations to maintain balance of trade.
England only wanted certain American products, such as fur and timber.
Colonists produced other products like wheat and fish that the English did not want.
Colonists often could get higher prices for their goods from the French, Spanish, or Dutch.

7. The Navigation Acts English laws passed to control colonial trade
Only English ships with English crews could take goods to England.
Limited the products that could be shipped to England or English colony
All shipments to colonies had to go through England.
Merchants had to pay a tax on certain goods; tax collectors were sent to the colonies.

8. Effects of the Navigation Acts
Increased English profits, but also increased law enforcement in America
Lumber and shipbuilding business was up in the colonies; England needed more ships for trade.
Many colonists ignored the laws and smuggled.

9. Winners and losers Winners Losers Merchants Upper Class England
Colonists
Losers
How could Colonists be both winners and losers?

10. Dominion of New England
Mass. resisted the Navigation Acts the most
King Charles II does not like the Puritans
takes away their charter and turns it into Royal Colony
Created a “Super Colony” of New England, New York, and New Jersey
1685 – King James II takes over and makes things worse
Appoints Sir Edmund Andross to govern the Dominion

12. Sir Andross…King James’ “Fool”
“You have no more privileges left to you, than not to be sold for slaves”
Questions Puritans Religion
Punishes Smugglers
Raises Taxes
Challenges Land Grants
Stops town meetings

13. Good News for the Colonies
England was Protestant
James was Catholic
Didn’t know that everyone in England HATED him
Parliament invites William of Orange, husband of James’ daughter Mary to rule the country
Glorious Revolution
William and Mary are in
Parliament passes laws to limit control of the crown
Colonist remove and arrest Andross

14. Colonists Reactions Boston New York
Andros and his government were arrested and sent to England.
Rebellion broke out
Royal rule returned to New York, but it was granted an elected assembly.

15. Salutary Neglect England turns its attention to fighting France
As long as the Colonies still imported goods – they left them alone
Colonist develop a taste for Self government

16. Government shifts towards Self-rule
During the English Civil War, colonists took small steps toward self-government.
In 1643 several colonies joined forces in the United Colonies of New England.
Though Parliament had more power since Glorious Revolution, it dealt mainly with mainland England.
The monarchs and their officials made most colonial policy.
When war with Spain broke out, colonial governments gained some independence.

17. Colonial Governments in the 1700s
Local governments more influential in colonists’ lives
Colonial assemblies were bicameral like Parliament.
Governor’s council was the upper house.
Elected Assembly was lower house like Parliament.
Each colony had a governor.