Life In TheLife In TheThirteenThirteenEnglishEnglish

ColoniesColonies

EconomyEconomy

MercantilismAs trade increased in the 1700’s, England began to take anew interest in its colonies.

Mercantilism: Economic theory stating that a nation became strong by keeping strict control over its trade.

Emphasis on exports (goodssent out of an area) overimports (goods brought in).

England believed that its colonies should benefitthe home country.

“Whosoever commands thetrade of the world commandsthe riches of the world.”

The Navigation Acts

Many colonists resented the laws which favored English.

1650’s

Regulated trade betweenEngland and its colonies.

Purpose was to ensure thatonly England benefited fromcolonial trade:

1. Only colonial or English ships could carry goods to and from the colonies.2. Certain products (tobacco, cotton) could only be shipped to England.

Encouraged shipbuilding in New England.

Guaranteed market in England for colonial goods.

The Triangular TradeMolasses → Rum → Slaves

New England merchants called Yankees.(implied they were clever & hardworking)

Leg 1: New England to West Indies (and back)Yankees sell fish, lumber, & other goods.Yankees buy molasses and sugar.Colonists used molasses and sugar to make rum.

Leg 2: New England to West AfricaYankees sell rum, guns, gunpowder, etc.Yankees buy slaves.

Leg 3: West Africa to West IndiesYankees sell enslaved Africans.Yankees buy more molasses.

Colonial GovernmentColonial Government

Structure

Governor: Directed colony’s affairs and enforced laws. Most were appointed.

Legislature: Group of people who have power to make laws.- Upper house: Advisers appointed by the governor.- Lower house: An elected assembly. Approved laws, protected citizens’ rights. “Power of the purse” - Right to raise or spend money (taxes).

Right to vote:

White Male Christian21 years-old Property owner

The Glorious Revolution

In return, William and Mary signed the EnglishBill of Rights in 1689.

1688

Parliament removedKing James II.

Parliament appointed William and Mary of theNetherlands to rule.

English Bill of Rights

English Bill of Rights (1689)1. Protected the rights of English citizens.2. Gave English citizens accused of a crime the right to a trial by jury.3. Ruler could not raise taxes without Parliament approval.4. Ruler could not raise an army without Parliament approval.

Bill of Rights: A written list of freedomsthe government promises to protect.

Limits on LibertiesWomen:1. Fathers or husbands were supposed to protect them.2. Unmarried women had more rights than married.

Africans

Native Americans

Colonial SocietyColonial Society

Class SystemClass System

3. Indentured servants and slaves. Indentured servants signed contracts to work without wages for a period of four to seven years for anyone who would pay their ocean passage to the Americas. - When their term was completed, received freedom dues: set of clothes, tools, and 50 acres of land.

Class system:Social status determinedby birth and wealth.

1. Gentry: Wealthy planters, merchants, ministers, etc.

2. Middle class: Farmers, skilled craftsworkers, tradespeople. - Nearly ¾ of all white colonists.

The Great AwakeningThe Great Awakening

Emotional Christianmovement led bypowerful preachers.

Jonathan Edwards: New England preacher who helped set off the Great Awakening.

George Whitefield: English minister and energetic preacher who drew crowds to outdoor meetings.

Argued that formaltraining was lessimportant than a heartfilled with the holy spirit.

1730’s and 1740’s

EducationEducationAmong the colonists,New Englanders were mostconcerned about education.

Puritans taught that allpeople had a duty tostudy the Bible.

New England: First public schools (supported by taxes)

Middle Colonies: Private schools (pupils paid to attend)

Southern Colonies: Tutors (private teachers) or study abroad (England)

Apprentices: Worked for a master to learn a trade or a craft.

The EnlightenmentThe Enlightenment

The light of human reason.

Reason and scientific methodsversus superstition to studysociety and understand the world.

John Locke:Knowledge gained byobserving and experimenting.

Benjamin Franklin: Citizen of the World