Life in the English Colonies

5.1 Forms of Government

Colonial Governments

• CHARTER: Power is given for a government– Three types of Charters

– Proprietary: Individuals ran the colony and chose the leaders

– Company: The company chose the leaders

– Royal: The King chose the leaders

• PRIVY COUNCIL- They oversaw English Policy in the colonies.

• The King granted all charters and had the last say on policy!

Colonial Assemblies

• BICAMERAL LEGISLATURE- Two house lawmaking body.

• Representatives are elected by the colonists.

• TOWN MEETINGS: A gathering to decide important issues on the local level.

Colonial Courts

• Many courts enforced the colony’s religious views or protected individual freedoms.

• John Zenger: Fought for freedom of the press. He was found not guilty.

The Dominion of New England

• James II is the new King of England.

• He wants more control over the colonies.

• He unites the northern colonies under one government

• He limits town meetings

The Glorious Revolution• James II kicked out by

William and Mary

• All charters restored to the colonies, but the King chose the governor

• ENGLISH BILL OF RIGHTS: Power of the English Monarchy is reduced. Parliaments has more say.

Life in the English Colonies

5.2 Notes

English Trade Laws

• MERCANTILISM: Create and maintain wealth by controlling trade

• BALANCE OF TRADE- A balance between imports and exports.

ImportsExports

English Trade Laws

• NAVIGATION ACTS- – It required the colonies to do

most of their trading with England

– Trade in the colonies becomes unbalanced.

– Heavy taxes were also applied to imported goods.

– This leads to smuggling

English Trade Laws

• TRIANGULAR TRADE-– Trade in the form of a triangle

• Example: America to Africa to West Indies to America

The Middle

Passage

• The journey from Africa to America

• It could last as long as three months

• 10 million slaves cross the Atlantic Ocean

• Thousands die from smallpox and suicide

• Wealth forces people to close their eyes to the inhumanity of slavery.

Life in the English Colonies

5.3 The Colonial Economy

Agriculture in the Southern Colonies

• Warm climate and long growing seasons

• CASH CROPS: Tobacco, rice, and indigo

• SLAVE CODES- – Laws to control slaves

– You could not have meeting, own weapons, or learn to read or write.

Industry and Trade in New England

• The land was not good for growing crops

• Trade, fishing, and shipbuilding supported the economy.

The Middle Colonies

• Good growing seasons with rich land

• STAPLE CROPS: Crops that are always needed such as wheat, barley, and oats

• Trade was also very good

Life in the English Colonies

5.4 The Great Awakening

Religion in the Colonies

• Most colonists are Protestants– South: Anglican– Middle: Quakers, Lutherans– New England: Congregationalist (Puritan)

• Some Catholics in Maryland, Jewish in cities.

The Great Awakening

• Not a single event.• A series of REVIVALS or

gatherings where People come together to hear sermons and declare their faith.

• Popular with young men and women.

• Focused on renewing religious enthusiasm and commitment.

The Great Awakening

• We are all born sinners, but could be saved by God. Rich or Poor alike.

• Communication increases among colonies with traveling ministers.

• Equality for all was promoted and revivals became popular places to discuss politics.

Life in the English Colonies

5.5 American Culture

Education

• There were more schools in New England

• Southern families usually lived far from towns and required tutors or parents for their education

• Most stopped their education after the elementary grades.

Benjamin Franklin

• He wrote POOR RICHARD’S ALMANACK

• He was an inventor too. • He made the lightning

rod, Franklin stove, and bifocals.

• He also found positive and negative charges in electricity

• He even developed daylight savings time.