The British Colonial System in the 18th Century

Predicting the sources of conflict between the colonists and the Crown

Nature of the English/colonial Economy

1. Internal Economy of England:

2. External Economy of EnglandMercantilism

based on idea that capitalism leads to avaricious and degenerate behavior

Control through monopoly and price fixing

MercantilismPrevalent theory in the 16th-18th Centuries

Wealth is power National wealth depends on gold and silver.

Exports are better than imports (Favorable Balance of Trade)

Colonies existed to supply raw materials to the Mother Country

Mercantilism (con.) You then pass laws that prevent the

colonists from producing certain finished goods.

Questions:1. How does a favorable balance of

trade favor the Mother Country?2. From the American viewpoint,

what are the incentives and disincentives of Mercantilism?

What laws did England pass?1. Navigation Acts

A. These acts said that only British or American ships could transport goods

B. All goods coming to America had to pass through a British Port first. WHY?

2. Control of IndustriesA. Woolen Act of 1699B. Hat Act of 1733C. Iron Act of 1750

Effects of Mercantilism

Positive N.E Shipbuilding

prospered Chesapeake tobacco

had monopoly in Eng. English military forces

protected colonies from potential Spanish and French attacks

Negative Colonial

manufacturing was limited

Chesapeake farmers received low prices for their crops

Colonists had to pay high prices for manufactured goods from England

Did the colonists always follow the Navigation Acts?

--of course not, we are Americans!!!!--did England care? NO! Why? Salutary Neglect

Before the 1760s: Gains from the Navigation Acts > Costs of Salutary Neglect

After 1760, the costs go up greatly – England tries to establish a monopoly over Colonial trade, but the colonies want to continue trading with other countries

Before 1775 Loyalists > Patriots

British Political ControlsThe key event is the

Glorious Revolution of 1688

The Glorious Revolution

Change from an Absolute Monarchy to a Constitutional Monarchy

Ended the Divine right of Kings which says_______

What role would Parliament have?

What role would the people have?

Constitutional Monarchy says that the power of the Ruler is limited by– Law– Parliament– Ultimately than by the

PEOPLE Government depends on

the consent of the People Why would this be a

revolutionary concept?

Glorious Revolution Impact Parliament makes the law No standing army Regular elections and meetings of

Parliament Yearly taxes, not at the whim of the

Crown War only by the consent of parliament

Glorious Revolution Impact on the Colonies America applied the ideas of the Revolution to

their situation (greater impact than in England) Colonial assemblies sought to limit the

authority the crown had over them They also asserted control over: taxes,

appointment of local officials and setting the governor’s salary

Principle of colonial autonomy is established—will eventually be a rallying cry

Comparing the Two

British System Patronage Limited franchise Representation

unrelated to population

Virtual Representation

North American System

No patronage Unlimited franchise Representation

related to population

Actual Representation

In what areas do you foresee problems between the colonists

and the Crown?