Colonial Life
Political Life in the Colonies
Colonial System
What
was the purpose of the
colonies for Britain?
Mercantilism –nation’s power
related to its wealth
(economic subordination of
colonies to mother country)
Colonial System
Balance
of Trade – amount
of goods sold compared to
amount bought
(favorable balance means
selling more than buying)

Why do you
think colonies
were upset
about
mercantilism?
How it Worked
Britain
needed raw
materials from colonies
They would produce goods
Goods would be sold to
other nations (including
colonies)
Navigation Acts - 1651
Colonists’
pursuit of foreign
markets a threat
Laws restricting colonial
trade passed by Parliament
Made colonies subordinate
This explosion in
smuggling didn’t sit
well with England,
especially with King
Charles II.
Navigation Acts - 1651
Good
for England (Jobs for
dockworkers, taxes)
Good for the Colonies
(colonial shipbuilding)
1684 – Crackdown in
Massachusetts
Merchants
smuggled goods
Puritans said charter didn’t
require them to obey
Parliament
Charter was revoked
Dominion of New England
King James
created D.O.N.E. Southern ME to NJ
under British rule
 Sir Edmund
Andros governor,
disliked colonists

Andros’ Policies:
 Questioned
lawfulness of
Puritan religion
 Levied taxes
 Restricted
assemblies
 Prosecuted
smugglers
The Glorious Revolution - 1688
English
didn’t like King James
because he was Catholic, didn’t
respect Parliament
Parliament invited William of
Orange of Holland & his wife
Mary – James’ daughter – to
take the throne, King fled
1689
– Parliament established
its power over monarchy
Colonists arrested Andros &
his advisors
1691 - charter restored
King appoints governor,
religious toleration, nonPuritan reps in assembly
Navigation Acts Strengthened
Smuggling
trials moved to
English courts
Created Board of Trade to
monitor colonial trade
Relaxed enforcement of
most restrictions in return
for loyalty
Taste for Self Government
 Colonists
had elected local assemblies
 Governors not that powerful
 Could appoint & dismiss judges,
disband assembly, oversee trade but
assembly paid their salary
 Enter into period of “salutary neglect”
– loosen control in return for loyalty