To what extent did the colonies run themselves?
Evidence that the colonies were autonomous: Evidence of British rule:
Lower houses were elected (represented Governors had enormous power:
communities and their interests) o Responsible for internal administration
o Power of assemblies was considerable; o Appointed/ dismissed by the British Gov
responsible for initiating finance bills and Assemblies consisted of two houses – upper
controlling expenditure houses (appointed by the governor)
At least 50% (in some places 80%) of American o Chosen from the colonial elite
white adult males could vote, in contrast to 15% o Members served as an advisory board to
in Britain the governor
In New England, authority over local affairs lied in In lower house, governor could veto decisions,
town meetings in which all freeholders had summon/dismiss representatives
voting rights Charters were main method of attaching colonies
o They set local taxes and chose men to to Britain – tied to Crown rather than parliament.
administer the town’s business The Privy Council had joint authority with the
British rule affecting the colonies lacked central Crown to review colonial laws
control, confusion and duplication often Colonial supervision rested with the Board of
characterised the bureaucracy Trade (most of 18th century), which advised on
In the early 18th century, the British government colonial appointments, drew up government
deemed it best not to stir up trouble in the instructions and reviewed colonial legislation
colonies – they were 3000 miles away – colonies The secretary of state for the Southern
left to their own devices – salutary neglect Department also had some responsibility,
Corporate colonies of Connecticut and Rhode communicating with governors on policy and
Island where governors were popularly elected administration
and responsible to the legislatures Other agencies like the Treasury, War Office and
In proprietary colonies (Maryland, Pennsylvania Admiralty also had some role in Imperial
and Delaware), the proprietor who ran the administration
colony appointed the governor
, How much were the colonies linked to Britain ?
Nature of trade and economy: Colonial Society:
• 1650-1770, colonial economy grew 3.2% each year due to: Wealthy Elites:
o Expansion of inter-colonial trade and with Britain and empire • Lacked titles and possessions of British aristocracy
o Availability of money from Britain • Hard-working capitalists, capital was tied up in land
o Rapid increase in population
o Availability of new land – farming was dominant economic activity (9/10 th of Professionals:
population) • Ministers, lawyers, doctors, schoolmasters
• The sea also provided opportunities, New England fisherman brought back cod which was
dried and exported in return for sugar, molasses (turned into rum) and other tropical products Freeholders:
• Middle colonies were major source of wheat and flour products • 80% were farmers working between 50-500 acres of land
• Tobacco main product of the South along with rice, indigo and grain • In towns, 2/3 of population were shopkeepers/self-employed
• Development most advanced nearer the coast, where the population was densest
Landless labourers:
Mercantilism – serve the economic interests of the mother country • Ranged from tenant farmers to slaves
• Most European governments believed in mercantilism – the colonies existed to supply raw • 1/3 of land was farmed by tenants
materials, buy its manufactured goods and provide employment for its shipping • Only 1/5th of white men were landless labourers
• Between 1651-73, the Trade and Navigation Acts were designed to establish an English • In towns: apprentices, sailors, servants
monopoly of colonial trade, markets and certain products
• All cargoes to and from the colonies were to be carried in ships built and owned in Women:
England/colonies and manned by mainly English crews • Male as head of family, women denied political and civil rights li
• Certain enumerated commodities (sugar, cotton, indigo, dyewoods, ginger and tobacco) could to property)
be exported only from the colonies to England even if their final destination was elsewhere
• European goods bound for America had to land first in England Slaves:
• Laws passed to restrict colonial manufacturing – Woolen Act forbade export of woolen yarn • Subject to will of owners, could be bought and sold
and cloth outside the colony it was made in • Worked on plantations growing tobacco/rice
Impact of the Mercantilism System on the Colonies: • Blossoming middle class due to availability of land
• Few Americans complained because the system wasn’t well enforced • American society was still hierarchical
• Navigation Acts levied high duties but were rarely collected • Education strongly encouraged, by 1763 75% of white men were
• Deputies could be easily bribed Britain)
• Rules particularly relaxed between 1721-42, Board of Trade tried to tighten them but colonies • Printing presses and booksellers were common
still managed to avoid most trade laws, smuggling was rife • Religion was very important, most Americans were Protestants,
• Laws restricting production had little effect –wool and cloth rarely exceeded local demand established churches
• Mercantilism benefited the colonies – American products had a protected market in Britain • Diversity of religious groups meant tolerance was needed but th
and Empire, American shipping profited by the exclusion of foreign ships from colonial trade Catholics
,What were the differences between the British, French and Spanish Colonies?
Where Economic Social Political Relationship with Native Ame
France Mississippi River Aim was to supply Population of New France and France still ruled by a divine right, Close contact, largely enjoyed
and lands from France with raw Louisiana very low compared with to absolutist monarchy and relationship
Gulf of Mexico materials (furs and British maintained a tight control over its Made attempts to assimilate a
(south) to Canada fish) By 1750s, no more than 60,000 colonies and was very demanding lifestyle
French settlers (1 million in British) of them Had a close economic relations
Reluctant to let in migrants from Levied large amounts of taxation Far more tolerant of Native Am
other countries and of different and conscripting their subjects into and fighting including tar and f
religions (other than Catholic) the army scalping.
Joined forces with them to des
Spain Parts of the Had very few Highly reluctant to let in migrants Wanted to spread Catholicism,
southwest and settlers in them, from other countries and of different whereas migrants to the British
Florida hindered any religions (other than Catholic) colonies fled religious persecution
attempts to grow Spanish power was declining but
their economies. worked with French to try to limit
British influence
Britain Last major More tolerant and open to migrants Salutary neglect meant minimal Did not have such a good relati
European power from different countries (Germans, contact and interference from the Native Americans often joined
to colonise North Swedes, Dutch) and religions home raid and attack the western bo
America (Protestant Denominations) British settlers very fearful of colonies
coming under French control, Didn’t’ trust Native Americans
binding them closely to Britain’s as ‘savages’ and refused to ma
protection them
, How successfully did Britain expand its territory in
North America between 1740-1763?
Previous conflicts:
• British settlers on Eastern seaboard eager to expand influence inland for trade opportunities, British government supported them
• French determined to restrict British influence
• Wars:
o War of the League of Augsburg 1689-97 (King William’s War)
o War of Spanish Succession 1702-13 (Queen Anne’s War)
o War of Austrian Succession 1740-1748 (King George’s War)
• Colonists viewed them as foreign wars and only became involved as subjects of the British crown
War of Austrian Succession 1740-1748 (King George’s War):
• Most of fighting left to colonial militia, British navy helped tip the balance as it prevented France and Spain sending assistance
• War took heavy toll on northern colonies, Louisbourg was returned to France three years later in exchange for Madras (India) captured by the French
• The decision outraged New Englanders who had contributed most to the expedition – British government acknowledge Massachusetts with a payment of £180,000
• Peace treaty did little to end lingering enmity between France, Britain and the colonies
The Albany Congress:
• Viewed as a temporary truce, people were keen to expand into Ohio valley beyond Appalachian mountains, both France and Britain were keen to expand there
• Policy of salutary neglect and poor relations with Native Americans = weaker position for Britain
• Albany Congress called to improved relations but failed to reach agreements with Native American tribes
Fort Duquesne
• In 1753-54 Virginia Planters organised the Ohio Company and secured 200,000 acres from the British government beyond Appalachian mountains which guarantee
with France
• Both sides began to build forts (Britain – Fort Prince George) and in 1754 Virginia sent George Washington to stop the French
• When he arrived, the French had seized the fort and renamed it Fort Dusquesne, they were forced to surrender
• Britain sent General Braddock with 2000 troops but on the way he was killed in a French-Indian ambush
• British troops unaccustomed to fighting in remote environment and guerrilla style of warfare, red uniforms meant they were easy targets
• British failed to recontrol Ohio Valley, Native Americans realised they’d receive greater rewards with French
• Administration lacked expertise to handle forces
