Unit 2 Birth of

DemocracyChapter 2

A colony is a

territory under the control of a more powerful country

Freedom and Trade

First Colonists

Some colonists came over for new opportunities in land and trade Jamestown, first

permanent settlement

Others came for religious freedom Pilgrims (Puritans)

Triangular Trade

Triangular trade was a system of trades between Africa, the American colonies and Europe Raw materials for

finished goods Middle Passage

Mercantilism

Mercantilism is the practice of creating a favorable balance of trade.

This happens when a country exports more than it imports.

Great Britain’s Control of the Colonies

Governors Although often considered incompetent, they acted as the

monarch's chief representative in the colonies.

Parliament

The lawmaking body of England that had to approve the monarch’s policies.

Monarch

Relied on his advisors to set policies for the colonies, but in theory all land belonged to him.

However…

G.B. also practiced a policy called salutary neglect allowing colonies to govern their own internal(domestic) affairs.

Self-Governing in the

ColoniesMayflower Compact

Established by the Pilgrims in Massachusetts

Created local town meetings to debate issues

Form of Gov’t: Direct Democracy

House of Burgesses Est. by Jamestown

colony

Elected officials represented and voted on town matters

Form of Gov’t: Representative Democracy

As a result of salutary neglect, colonies established additional

gov’ts

Town MeetingsTown meetings allowed the residents of a city deal with local issues such as education and property

taxes.

Assemblies

Each colony had an assembly, an elected group of officials who controlled the raising and spending of

tax money

This freedom within the colonies made the colonists feel

more independent.

Long Term Causes of the

American Revolution Navigation Acts

Passed in 1651 (and on) Required certain goods to

only be sold to Great Britain.

If colonists sold to any other country, they were forced to pay an export tax.

Writs of Assistance were used to search any suspected cargo of smuggling

French and Indian War

Fought 1754 - 1763 Great Britain vs. France

(who was allied with some Native American tribes)

British fought for borders they could easily defend

Colonists wanted more land; to move WEST.

British won; now had large DEBT to pay back, which meant no more NEGLECT