1. Britain and Its Colonies

2. What to Remember Today 1. Mercantilism 2. Salutary Neglect

3. Mercantilism
Definition: A country’s goal of becoming wealthier by having the most gold and silver
You need to export MORE than you import
How Britain Used its Colonies:
Market - to buy English goods
Producer of goods – make goods that England can sell to others like tobacco
Trade was a two way street
Beneficial to colonies and to England

4. Navigation Acts
Laws passed by Parliament (the people who make laws in England)
Laws restricted who colonies could trade with
No country could trade with the colonies unless goods shipped on English ships
Ships had to be run by English people

6. Glorious Revolution
In Europe, Christians are fighting  Protestants versus Catholics
King James of Britain is Catholic
He’s overthrown by new king and queen: William and Mary
Under William and Mary, Parliament (Britain’s Congress) becomes more powerful so it passes laws that hurt the king
More freedom for the press, religious tolerance

7. Salutary Neglect
England’s rival was France – they competed for control of Europe
England’s 1st priority was to compete with France
The colonies were 2nd priority
England required colonies to export raw materials and import English goods
As long as they did this, Parliament didn’t pay a lot of attention to colonies  salutary neglect

8. Self Government Government of Colonies:
King governor council local congress
Governor very powerful – ran entire colony without being controlled by king
So, salutary neglect lead to the beginnings of independence from England