Bell Ringer
 Identify the
Thirteen
Original
American
Colonies and
place them on
the outline map
England and Its Colonies
"England and Its Colonies"
Learning Goal:
I can explain how English policies allowed
the American colonies to develop on their
own in the early 1700s.
Focus Question:
What factors shaped life in colonial
America?
Mercantilism
Intro to Mercantilism
 By the 1700s, American colonists were
becoming more independent
 That is, they were showing the ability to
take care of themselves
 They began to appreciate doing things for
themselves
Intro to Mercantilism
 The need for the colonies to trade with
other countries increased as their lives
became more complex
 However, Great Britain would not allow the
colonies to trade with whomever they
wished
Mercantilism
 This practice of regulating colonial trade
for the profit of the mother country was
called mercantilism
 The colonies were expected to produce
what England needed and to buy
everything that they needed from England
Mercantilism
 American colonies exported raw materials
(lumber, furs, grain, and tobacco) and
imported manufactured goods (furniture,
iron utensils, books, and china) from
England
 Britain intended to make a profit from any
trading the American colonies did
Triangular Trade
 Much colonial
commerce (trade)
formed a triangular
pattern
 New England, Africa,
and the West Indies
formed what became
known as triangular
trade
Navigation Acts
 To control colonial
trade the British
passed the
Navigation Acts
 These laws were
designed to
regulate American
colonial trade
Navigation Acts
 BUT, the American colonies did not want
controls that benefited the British
 They looked for ways to trade on their own
 Problems will develop as colonists
eventually refuse to accept Britain’s strict
control
Smuggling
 Many colonial
merchants resented
British trade
restrictions
 So they smuggled
(traded illegally)
goods to and from
other countries
England Loosens the Reins
 Eventually England turned its attention away
from the colonies and toward France
 France was competing with England for control
of Europe
 During this time, British officials only lightly
enforced trade restrictions
 They settled into an overall colonial policy
known as salutary neglect
Salutary Neglect
 Salutary (beneficial) Neglect meant that England
relaxed its enforcement of most trade
regulations
 In return – the Crown expected continued
economic loyalty of the colonies
 England does not enforce laws if colonies
continue to provide raw materials and buy
English-produced goods
Seeds of Self-Government
 Policy of salutary neglect had an important
effect
 Under England’s less-than-watchful eye,
the colonies were developing a taste for
self-government that would eventually
create conditions for rebellion
“The Revolution was effected before the
War commenced. The Revolution was in
the minds and hearts of the people …”
- John Adams
Review Questions
What is mercantilism?
 Mercantilism is the practice of regulating colonial
trade for the profit of the Mother country
Who does it benefit most?
 It benefits the home country the most
Why was mercantilism causing problems for the
American colonists?
 They wanted to trade with whomever they pleased.
They wanted to make profits for themselves, not for
Great Britain.
Map Activity