1. Dr. Kevin Lasher POL 101: U.S. Government

2. Colonial Period (1607-1776)

3.  Virginia in 1607; Georgia in 1732  Colonies “belonged” to British empire  85% of free settlers from Great Britain (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales)

4. Colonial Governments  Governor appointed by British King  Judges appointed by British King  Legislatures elected by 20-40% of white, male citizens; legislatures had good deal of power

5. Colonial Governments  Colonial governments (legislatures) had good deal of “freedom” from British home rule  Salutary neglect

6. British Mercantilism  Great Britain would control trade between itself and colonies  Colonial economy should “serve” the Mother Country  Incomplete mercantilism during period of salutary neglect

7. American Character  British colonists were becoming Americans (a long process)  Freedom, social mobility, small farmers, early republicanism  Still thirteen “mini- counties” in 1775

8. Period of “Salutary Neglect”  1650 (?) - 1763  Mother country Great Britain did not have as much as control over its colonies as it would have preferred  Civil war at home, war in Europe, distance, economic benefits  Partly intentional policy

9. Period of “Salutary Neglect”  American colonies (especially governing elites) had a good deal of freedom during this formative period  American colonists “liked” this arrangement very much; did not want it to end

10. End of “Salutary Neglect” in 1763  End of French-Indian War (1763) in North America  Rising British costs of protecting colonies  Mother country should exercise “control”

11. End of “Salutary Neglect”  Series of taxes imposed to raise money for administration of colonies  Enforce mercantilism  Curtail “freedom” of colonies

12. Period of Growing Tension  1763-1775  Long, difficult process  Revolutionary War begins in 1775