Growing Democracy

Conflict in England

While the American colonies were being settled, civil war and political changes were causing problems in England.

American colonies were generally left alone to handle their own issues.

When the English monarchy was restored in 1660, it turned its attention to America.

King Charles II & King James II Charles II – King of England – wanted more control

over the colonies and their profitable trade.

King Charles II chartered new royal colonies and chose the governor and council.

King Charles II died in 1685. His brother James, Duke of York became King of England.

King James tried to unite New England , New York and New Jersey as the “Dominion of New England.”

He appointed a governor and council and got rid of assemblies elected by colonists.

Sir Edmund Andros

Sir Edmund Andros = the royal governor of the dominion.

Governor Andros set up new rules in the colonies. Placed restrictions on New England town

meetings, schools, and the press. Did not think colonists rights were important Tried to replace Puritan’s Congregational Church

with the Anglican Church

The Glorious Revolution English people were afraid King James II would try

to make England Roman Catholic.

In 1688, English Parliament unseated King James II and gave the throne to James’ daughter, Mary and her husband, William of Orange.

People were so happy about this peaceful change, it became known as the Glorious Revolution.

William and Mary agreed to a bill of rights to limit their power as King and Queen of England English Bill of Rights

The Glorious Revolution When the people in Boston heard about the

changes in England they began to move against Governor Andros (he was appointed by King James II).

Andros tried to escape, but was caught, imprisoned, and sent back to England. This ended the Dominion of New England

William and Mary restored elected assemblies in the colonies.

Assemblies did not have a lot of power and Royal Governors still had the final authority over colonial assemblies and courts.

Bacon’s Rebellion

In 1676 Nathanial Bacon – a planter in Virginia – claimed that Governor William Berkeley was not doing his job.

Bacon claimed that Berkeley was not protecting the frontier from raids by Native Americans and was more interested in the profit from fur trade.

Bacon’s Rebellion – Bacon led 300 small farmers and servants in a raid against the Native Americans.

Bacon’s Rebellion

Civil war broke out between Bacon’s volunteers and the governor’s troops.

Farmers marched on Jamestown, demanded other changes and later burned the town.

The governor fled.

The Rebellion was getting more popular until Bacon died The rebellion collapsed after his death.

Bacon’s Rebellion

Bacon’s Rebellion was a success.

Charles II ordered Governor Berkeley back to England to explain how he allowed such disorder in Virginia.

Berkeley died before he could talk to the King.

Governors after Berkeley ruled very differently. They relaxed their control over the colony. They allowed Virginians more voice in their own

government.

Control on Trade

England wanted its colonies to be profitable.

In 1650 Parliament began to pass laws to regulate trade.

This had both positive and negative effects on the colonies.

Colonies that belonged to England relied on Mercantilism. To gain wealth, they had to sell more goods than

they bought.

Control on Trade

Mercantilism worked for England because the colonies provided more raw materials to England and colonists were a market for products from England.

England passed the Navigation Acts to make sure mercantilism was effective. Only use English ships for trade Products could only be sold to England Only buy products from England – otherwise

they would be taxed through England. Fees put on trade among colonies.

Ideas of Self Government

The restoration of colonial assemblies supported the colonists’ belief that English Parliament should listen to them.

Americans enjoyed their freedom to run local issues through their assemblies.

Colonies had an appointed governor and a legislature (law-making body) with 2 houses – the council and the assembly. Similar to the organization of English Parliament.

Ideas of Self Government

Assemblies gained power to pass tax bills, decide how tax money would be spent, and military issues.

Compared to people in Europe, people in American colonies had an unusual chance to take part in their government.

Voters had to be: white, male, over 21, property owners.