-
Mercantilism
The economic system that wa benificial to the mother country because of favorable Trade. more exports than imports, accumulation of welth (gold and silver). the colonys were used for this purpose. -
Jamestown established
The very first permanent English colony was established to provide profit for the mother country. it was only after tobacco, an important cash crop was established that jamestown became a success. -
House of Burgesses
This colonial govorning body allowed the colonists their first taste of self government.Representatives from each district would meet to place taxes and laws for the area. This had to meet with the royal govorners approval, but the colonists still felt they had power. -
Mayflower Compact
The puritans from the Plymoth colony (Mass.) decided to create their own laws. established the important self-governing principle of majority rule. -
Fundamental orders of connecticut
First written constitution by colony; limited powerof government; majority rule, consent of the governed, protected minority rights. -
Triangular trade
the trade between england, africa, the west indies and the colonys. england sold goods to africa for slaves, then they took the slaves to the west indies and the colonys. The colonys then used the slaves to preform labor that would get the raw materials used to trade back to england. -
Maryland Toleration Act
Law granting religious freedom to all christians in the maryland colony (prodistant and catholic). Did not include other religions that arnt part of christianity. -
Navigation Acts
Navigation Acts were a series of laws that restricted the use of foreign ships for trade between Britain and its colonies. They began in 1651 and ended 200 years later. They reflected the policy of mercantilism, which sought to keep all the benefits of trade inside the Empire, and minimize the loss of gold and silver to foreigners. They prohibited the colonies from trading directly with the Netherlands, Spain, France, and their colonies. -
john peter zenger
He was a defendant in a landmark legal case in American jurisprudence, known as The Zenger Trial. His lawyers, Andrew Hamilton and William Smith, Sr., successfully argued that truth is a defense against charges of libel. -
Great Awakening
Many colonists began expressing their religious ideas through new curches other than the church of england this show colonists started thinking for themselves. -
The French and Indian war
England ad France have been warring on and off for over one hundred years. This ime around, the American colonists want to expand into the ohio river valley and canada. The skirmish gets its name because England and her colonies were fighting against the combined forces of France and her native american allies. The natives liked the french alot moe than the English because the French are not hevaly settled in the area and tended to be trade partners. -
Albany Plan of Union
Benjamin Franklin's fist attempt t unite volunteers from all colonies to establish a common defence. The plan didnt work but it was the first time the colonists planned to unite to defend themselves with out the help of England. -
Proclamation of 1763
In attempt to settle the Natives along the fontier, England banned all colonial settlement past the appalachian mountains. This policy enraged the colonists who only fought the French and Indian war for more land. -
Stamp Act
Englands latst attempt to get money frm the colonies comes in the form of a direct tax on a variety of goods. Things ranging from legal documents to decks of cards. The colonies protest by going after custom agents and later organise a more effetive boycott of English goods. -
Boston Massacre
Tension between the colonists and the standing army left from the French and Indian war has become high. many colonists thought the soldires were sping on them, others resent the competition they presented with jobs.When soldires started fighting colonists for jobs, someone shot into the crowd. when the violence ends five colonists are dead. To drum up support Samuel Adams and other patriots dub the skermish a "massacre". -
Tea act
In effort to ease tensions with the colonies and save the east India company the British government passes this act which gives all colonial business to the east Indian company but at a much lower price to the consumer. Rather than be grateful, being cut out of their own business outrages the colonists. this eventualy led to the Boston Tea Party. -
Quartering act
This part of the intolerable acts was especaly infuriating to the colonists who felt they should not sholder theresposibility of housing the british army when they dont want them around in the first place. Few actualy had to do it but just the possibility of doing so outraged many. -
Intolerable Acts
inan effort to punish the boston community forthe boston tea party the british government vows revenge untill all the tea is paid for.Boston is hurt the worst by the closing of the harbor, but other punishments such as curfew and marshal law which outrages citizens. this increases the haterd between the colonists and the crown. -
Lexington and Concord
Fighting between colonial millitias and British soldiers when gen gage finds out that the colonists are stockpiling wepons. when trys to confiscate the arms he is met with armed resistance. the first shot fired was shot in a crowd so no one is sure who shot it. Colonists officialy became an enemy of the british who had boston captive. -
Olive Branch Petition
A committee of colonists draft a letter to the king of england asking for a end to fighting and vow obedience if certian demands are met. king Geroge III refuses to even read the letter. -
Common Sense
A popular pamphlet written by Thomas Paine states that it is obvious that England and her American Colonies should not remain united. The two are so vastly different that they cant have common goals and the rule of the monarchy is so oppressive that the colonies will never prosper under british rule. The only "Common sense" is to declare independence. -
Declaration of indapendence
Tomas Jefferson drafts document that is a list of complaints against Britain. This ist was designed to serve two purposes: one, to notify England and the rest of the world of America's intent and resons for it, secondly, it was to rally the colonists behind a great cause rallying them to throw off the shackles of oppression.
