dr. kevin lasher pol 101: u.s. government. colonial period (1607-1776)
TRANSCRIPT
Dr. Kevin Lasher
POL 101: U.S. Government
Colonial Period (1607-1776)
Colonial Period (1607-1776)
Virginia in 1607; Georgia in 1732 Colonies “belonged” to British
empire 85% of free settlers from Great
Britain (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales)
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
Colonial Governments
Colonial governments (legislatures) had good deal of “freedom” from British home rule
Salutary neglect
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
American Character
British colonists were becoming Americans (a long process)
Freedom, social mobility, small farmers, early republicanism
Still thirteen “mini-counties” in 1775
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
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
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”
End of “Salutary Neglect”
Series of taxes imposed to raise money for administration of colonies
Enforce mercantilism Curtail “freedom” of colonies
Period of Growing Tension
1763-1775 Long, difficult process Revolutionary War
begins in 1775