England discovers its colonies:
Empire, Liberty, and Expansion
Chapter 3

Colonist in North America
• England in the 17 th century
• Diverse settlement in the Americas

Colonist in North America
• North American colonies much healthier
- life expectancy & family size
(p 70)

English trade in Colonies
• Autonomous English colonies
- self-governance
- 1650- trade was most economical (Dutch)
- English Civil War (1642-49)

Theory of Mercantilism
• control of colonial trade essential for power
• colonies provide raw materials & serve as markets for the finished goods

English Navigation Act
• Parliament banned foreign ships
(1650)
- goods imported only through English ships
• foreign trade prohibited
• Why did this anger the colonist?

Restoration Navigation Acts
• Navigation Act of 1660
• Established “enumerated commodities”
• English monopoly

England’s good fortune
• England becomes superpower by 1700
- most powerful navy in the world

Metacom’s War
(1675-1676)

Colonial conflicts with Indians
• 1670- no clear boundaries
- any settlement vulnerable to an attack
• “new world” for Indians
- guns, alcohol, Christianity etc.

Metacom,
Indian Chief of the Wampanoags
• If I became “a praying sachem, I shall be a poor and weak one, and easily trod upon”

Metacom’s War
(1675-1676)
• Reasons for war
- Christianity & land

Metacom’s War
(continue)
• Massacres common for both sides
- women & children
- gun powder

Metacom’s War
(continue)

Bacon’s Rebellion
(1676)
• Sir William Berkeley / Virginia
- taxes, favoritism & servants
• Nathaniel Bacon
• raised army & attacked Indians
• arrested & forced to apologize

Bacon’s Rebellion
(1676)
• Declaration of the People
• led army to Jamestown
• revolts against wealthy
• 1 st popular rebellion
• revolutionary seeds

Discussion
• Salem Witch Trials

Conclusion
• English regulation of trade benefited both
London & Colonies (protection & goods)
• The Navigation Acts were tremendously successful
• Indian conflicts resulted from competition for resources & land
• many settlers boosted of freedom – land, religion, wealth, etc.