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May 12, 1558
Mercantilism
Economic system that was benefiial to the home / mother country because of favorable trade balance (more exports than imports), accumulation of wealth ( especially gold and silver)), and colonies that provided raw materials and markets for goods. -
Jamestown
The very first permanent English colony was established to provide profit for the mother country. It was only after tobacco, an import cash crop was established that jamestown became a success. Located in Virginia. -
House of Burgesses
This colonial governing body allowed the colonists their first taste of self-government. Represenatives from each burgess or district would meet and established taxes and laws for their area. This had to meet with the royal governors approval, but colonists still felt that they had power. Thge first assembly met on july 30th, 1619. -
Mayflower Compact
The Puritans from the Plymouth colony (Mass.) decided to create their own laws, which established the important self-governing principle of majority rule. The Mayflower Compact was signed abord ship by Pilgrims on November 11th 1620. -
Fundamental orders of Connecticut
First written constitution by a colony ; limited the power of government ; majority rule, consent of the governed (the people), protected minority rights. -
Triangular Trade
New England merchants traded basic supplies with the West Indies in return for sugar and molasses, (which could be made into rum). Later Africa was added to the route and the leg that transported slaves from the west coast of Africa to the New England colonies became known as the "Middle Passage". This trade was often done without the involvement of the English government. -
Maryland Toleration Act
Law granting religious freedom to all Christians ( protestant and catholic) living in the Maryland colony ( did not include Jewish religion). -
Navigation Acts
England felt that the American colonies were gaining a great profit thorugh overseas trade and wanted a greater share of profit. These acts strictly enforced policies that established Britain as the middlemean in colonial trade. Any ships had to pass through the English ports and have a majority English or colonial crew on board. English authorities also had approval over which countries could trade with the colonies; this provision seriously lessened colonial profits. -
John Peter Zenger
Zenger was accused of sedition and libel by a royal official who took offense to the newspaper man's criticism of limits on free expression. Zenger was put on trial in front of a colonial jury who found him innocent because what he printed was the truth. This decision is the basis of for the fundamental American freedom of press. -
Great Awakening
Many colonists began expressing their religious idea through new churches other than the Church of England or Anglican Church. This direct break with the official religious authority of England shows that colonists began thinking for themselves and choosing to differ from the mother country. -
French and Indian War
England and France have been warring on annd off for over 100 years. This time around, the American colonists want to expand into the Ohio Valley and Canada. The skrimish gets its name because England and her colonies were fighting agianst the combined forces of France and her Native American allies. The Natives like the French a lot more than the English because the French are not heavily settled in the area and tended to be trading partners. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin's attempt to unite volunteers from all colonies to establish a common defense. The plan didnt work but it was the first time the colonists panned to unite to defend themselves without the help of England. -
Proclamation of 1763
In an attempt to settle the Natives along the fronier, Emgland banned all colonial settlement past the Appalachian Mountains. This policy enraged the colonists who only fought the French and Indian War for more land. -
Stamp Act
England's related attempt to get money from the colonies comes in the form of a direct tax on a variety of goods. Things ranging from legal documents to decks of cards. The colonies protest by going after custom agents and later organize a more effective boycott of English goods. -
Boston Massacre
Tension between colonists and the standing army left over from the French and Indian War has been high. Many citizens feel that the soilders were spying on them, others resent the competition they present for local jobs. When soilders began fighting colonists for jobs, someone shoots into the crowd. When the violence ends, five colonists are dead. To drum up support, Samuel Adams and other patriots dub the skirmish a "massacre". -
Tea Act
In an effort to ease tensions with their American colonists and save their lagging East India Company, the British government passes this act which gives all colonial tea business to the India Company but at a much lower price to the consumer. Rather than be grateful, being cut out of their own business outrages the colonists. This is what led Samuel Adams and many others to dress up as Natives and act out the Boston Tea Party. -
Intolerable Acts
In an effort to punish the members of the Boston commuity for the Boston Tea Party, the British government vows revenge until the damaged tea is completely paid for. Boston is hurt the worst by the closing of the local harbor, but other punishments such as curfew and Marshall law are put into place which outrages the citizens. Colonists from other areas are incensed by the behavior and these actions serve to distance more than just New Englanders from the crown. -
Quartering Act
This part of the Intolerable Acts was especially infuriating to the colonists who felt that they should not have to shoulder the responsibility of housing British Army when they dont want them around in the first place. Few colonists actually had to have their privacy compromised but the idea possibly doing so outraged many. -
Lexington & Concord
Fighting between colonial militias (minutemen) and British soilders occur when Gen. Gage finds out that the colonists are stockpiling weapons. When he tries to confiscate the arms he is met with armed resisitance. The first shot between the two sides was fired in a crowed and no one is sure who shot first. Colonists officialy ecame the enemy of the British an Boston was now being held captive by British Army. -
Olive Branch Petition
A committe of colonists draft a letter to the king of England asking for an end to fighting and vow obedience if certain demands are met. King George III refuses to even read the letter. -
Common Sense
A popular phamphlet written by thomas paine states that it is obvious that England and her American colonies should not remain united. The two are so vastly different that they cant have common goals and rule of the monarchy is so oppressive that the colonies will never prosper under British rule. The only "common sense" is to declare independence. This helps to persuade some colonists who had been against such actions. -
Declaration of Independence
Thomas Jefferson drafts a document that is a list of complaints against Britiain. This list was designed to serve two purposes: one, to notify England and the rest of the world of America's intent and reasons for it, and secondly, it was to rally the colonists behind a great cause by inspiring them to throw off the shackles of oppression.
