The American NationThe American Nation

Chapter 4 – Section 4 Roots of Self-Government

The Thirteen English Colonies, 1630–1750

Copyright © 2003 by Pearson Education, Inc., publishing as Prentice Hall, Upper Saddle River, NJ. All rights reserved.

Chapter 4, Section 4

Roots of Self-GovernmentRoots of Self-Government

Objectives to learn:• Why did England want to regulate colonial

trade?• What were colonial governments like?• How were the liberties of the colonists

limited?

Chapter 4, Section 4

I. England Regulated Colonial TradeI. England Regulated Colonial Trade

A. England believed in an economic theory called mercantilism, which said:

1. A nation became strong by strictly controlling its trade.2. A country should export more than it imported.

a. Exports - goods sent to markets outside a country

b. Imports goods brought into a countryColonists were encouraged to build their own ships.

I. England Regulated Colonial TradeI. England Regulated Colonial Trade

B. To enforce mercantilism, England passed the Navigation Acts in the 1650s - Laws that regulated trade between England and the colonies so that England benefited.1. Only colonial or English ships could carry goods to and from the colonies.2. Colonial merchants could ship goods such as tobacco and cotton only to England.

Chapter 4, Section 4

I. England Regulated Colonial Trade – Trade in Rum and SlavesI. England Regulated Colonial Trade – Trade in Rum and Slaves

A. Yankees — a nickname for New England traders—dominated colonial trade.B. Colonial merchants developed many trade routes. One route was known as

the triangular tradeC. Colonial merchants sometimes defied the Navigation Acts by buying goods

from the Dutch, French, and Spanish West Indies.

The Triangular Trade (2:24)The Triangular Trade (2:24)

Chapter 4, Section 4

Part of Government How Chosen What They Did

Governor appointed by the king or by the colony’s proprietor

directed the colony’s affairs and enforced laws

Legislature

upper house—a group of advisers appointed by the governor

lower house—an elected assembly

people who had the power to make laws

made laws

approved laws; protected the rights of citizens; approved taxes

II. What Colonial Governments Were LikeII. What Colonial Governments Were Like

Colonial Governments (:30)Colonial Governments (:30)

Chapter 4, Section 4

III. Rights Under Colonial GovernmentsIII. Rights Under Colonial Governments

A. Colonists had rights as English Subjects.B. 1688 In the Glorious Revolution, Parliament replaced King James II

with William and Mary from the Netherlands to rule.C. 1689 William and Mary signed the English Bill of Rights. (bill of

rights - a written list of freedoms the government promised to protect)1. Protected rights of individuals2. Guaranteed right to trial by jury3. Said the ruler could not raise taxes or army without approval of Parliament

D. Some colonists had the right to vote:1. White Christian men over the age of 21 who owned property 2. In some colonies, only members of a particular church

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IV. Limits on Liberties of ColonistsIV. Limits on Liberties of Colonists

A. Women had fewer rights than free, white males.B. Married women had fewer rights than unmarried

women and widows.C. Africans had almost no rights.D. Native Americans had almost no rights.

Colonial Life Under British Rule (4:36)Colonial Life Under British Rule (4:36)

Chapter 4, Section 4

Section 4 AssessmentSection 4 Assessment

England passed the Navigation Acts to see to it thata) colonial merchants would become wealthy.b) only England benefited from colonial trade.c) England would import more than it exported.d) colonial merchants had to compete with foreign merchants.

Colonial legislatures included an assembly elected bya) Christian white men over 21 who owned property.b) all colonists who owned property.c) married Christian men and women.d) all colonists who went to church.

Want to connect to the American History link for this section? Click here.

Chapter 4, Section 4

Section 4 AssessmentSection 4 Assessment

England passed the Navigation Acts to see to it thata) colonial merchants would become wealthy.b) only England benefited from colonial trade.c) England would import more than it exported.d) colonial merchants had to compete with foreign merchants.

Colonial legislatures included an assembly elected bya) Christian white men over 21 who owned property.b) all colonists who owned property.c) married Christian men and women.d) all colonists who went to church.

Want to connect to the American History link for this section? Click here.