Road to Independence

1700-1763

Long-Term Cause• Salutary Neglect• Colonial Economic

Policy• Political Experience• “New Thinking”

Salutary Neglect• Time period in which the British government

did not interfere in the government of the colonies, and America existed in relative political isolation.

• Allowed local control to grow as the crown focused on trade and military issues.

• Later when the British tried re-asserting their power in mercantilist policies they crown found strong colonial resistance.

Mercantilism

• 18th Century economic system in Europe• Goal: increase a nation's wealth by

government regulation of all of the nation's commercial interests 

• How to Achieve goal?1. Positive Balance of Trade

– Exports > Import– $$$$$$ > $$$

2. Vertical Integration- “self-sufficient”– Own all means of production (raw materials)

Mercantilism in Colonial America

Navigation Acts- 1660• Purpose: Regulate Trade Increase revenue

in G. Britain• How?

– Required trading only with G. Britain. – List specific goods which could only be sold to G.

Britain or British colonies. (raw materials)» Sugar» Tobacco» Lumber» Cotton» Wool» Indigo

• Staple Act- 1663– Everything the colonies import must be taxed– Increased price of goods & decrease profits– Commission of Trade & Plantations- punishment

Political Experience• English Influence:

– Royal Charter- ensured English rights & privileges – Glorious Revolution- 1688

• “Bloodless Revolution” & Revolution was justified• English Bill of Rights- 1689

– Abolish absolute rule in G. Britain– Parliament held the power (taxes & army)– Freedoms:

» Freedom of Speech» No excessive bail or cruel & unusual

punishment» Right to a trial by jury» Freedom of religion (Toleration Act)

Political Influence• Early Colonial Influences:

– House of Burgesses- legislative body– Mayflower Compact- “self-governing”– Fundamental Order of Conn.- individual rights

• Colonial Government Structure– Mass. Charter of 1691 (separation of church & state)

– Dictatorship/Democracy• Monarch appoints Governor, Council & Upper

House• Voting Rights- own property• Freedom of Religion

“New Thinking”• Political Reform:

– John Locke – Enlightenment Movement

• Spiritual Reform:– The Great Awakening

John Locke• Political Philosopher- Two Treatises of Govt.

• Influence/Ideas:1. King’s right to rule came from the people2. All people are born with Natural Rights:

Life, Liberty and Property3. Social Contract Theory-

• People form governments• People create a social contract with the

government4. Right to change government- justified

revolution- “alter or abolish”

Enlightenment Movement

• Movement which challenged the authority of the church in science and philosophy while elevating the power of human reason.

• Enlightenment Principles:– All People have rights & freedoms– Education & society shape people– Society can improve itself

Enlightenment Philosophers– Voltaire- believed that in the idea that “All

men are created equal” and therefore should be treated as equals.

– Rousseau- he would coin the idea of a “Social Contract.” He would also state that it is the people or the “governed” who control the power of the government.

– Montesquieu- believed that the power of government should not rest in the hands of one individual (king) but that the power should be divided into “3 Branches” with separate responsibilities. He would also institute the idea of a system of “Checks and Balances” to prevent the abuse of power by any of the three branches.

The Great Awakening

“Spiritual Revival”

The French & Indian War

1753-1763

Causes

• Balance of Power- “Wag War”

• Territorial Claim- Ohio River Valley

• Control of Fur Trade

The War

• “Frontier War”

• G. Britain vs. France, Native Americans, Spain