APUSH chapter 2 the thirteen colonies and the British Empire

Representative government in New England

-Mayflower compact 1620: early form of colonial self government/written constitution -All male members of the church could vote (no slaves or women)

Joint-stock company

A business in which investors pool their wealth for a common purpose, then share the profits Example: The Virginia company

William Penn

A young convert to the Quaker faith. His father had served the king as an admiral. Although the elder Penn opposed his son's beliefs, he bequeathed him a considerable wealth. In addition, the royal family owed the father a large debt, which they paid to William in 1681 in the form of a grant of American land for a colony that he called pennsylvania, or Penn's woods.

New England Confederation

In 1640s, New England colonies faced threats from Indians, French, and Dutch. -Plymouth, Massachusetts Bay, Connecticut, and New Haven form military alliance; lasts until 1684

How was colonial democracy limited?

Most colonists were excluded from the political process. Only male property owners could vote for representatives. Those who were female or landless had few rights; slaves and indentured servants had practically none at all. Also, many colonial governors rules with autocratic or unlimited powers, answering only to the king or others in England who provided the colonies' financial support.

Acts of Trade and Navigation

The policies under which England established a mercantilist policy in the colonies. 1) Trade to and from the colonies could be carried only by English or colonial-built ships, which could be operated only by English or colonial crews 2) All goods imported into the colonies, except for some perishables, had to pass through ports in England. 3) Specified or "enumerated" goods from the colonies could be exported to England only. Tobacco was the original "enumerated" good, but over the years, the list was greatly expanded.

Act of toleration (Maryland)

To avoid persecution in England, several wealthy English Catholics emigrated to Maryland and established large colonial plantations. They were quickly outnumbered by Protestant farmers who held the majority in Maryland's assembly. the Act of Toleration was the first colonial statute granting religious freedom to all Christians. However, it also called for the death of anyone who denied the divinity of Jesus.

Dominion of New England

To increase royal control, James II combined New York, New Jersey, and other colonies into the dominion of new england -This was very unpopular and the colonists led an uprising (The Glorious Revolution of 1688) and the colonies were separated again

Charter

a document granting special privileges; describes in general terms the relationship that was supposed to exist between the colony and the crown

Halfway covenant

a form of partial church membership created by New England in 1662. It was promoted because many were drifting away from the Puritan faith; the Puritans wanted to hold onto their population

Corporate colonies (joint-stock colonies)

operated by joint-stock companies. Example: Jamestown

Lasting problems in Virginia

Bacon's rebellion highlighted two long lasting disputes in colonial Virginia: 1) sharp class differences between wealthy planters and landless or poor farmers 2) colonial resistance to royal control

Quakers

Believed in the equality of all men and women, nonviolence, and resistance to military service. They also believed that religious authority was found within each person's soul and not in the Bible and not in any outside source. These views posed a radical challenge to established authority. They were persecuted and jailed for their beliefs.

Slavery

By 1750, half of Virginia's population and two thirds of South Carolina's population were slaves. Increased demand for slavery because: 1) there were reduced amounts of immigrants from England 2) Provided a stable workforce 3) cheap/free labor Slave laws: -White colonists enforced laws to ensure that Africans would be slaves for life -Racism and slavery became integral to colonial society Triangular trade was lucrative and profitable for English

Protestant revolt

Catholics lose their right to vote

Labor shortages

In Maryland and Virginia, landowners saw great opportunities. They could get land, either by taking it from or trading for it with American Indians, and Europeans had a growing demand for tobacco. However, they could not find enough laborers. For example, in Virginia, the high death rate from disease, food shortages, and battles with American Indians meant that the population grew slowly. Landowners tried several ways to find the workers they wanted: 1. Indentured servants: -under contract with master or landowner who paid for their passage -worked for a specified period in return for room and board -temporary work 2. Headright system: -Virginia attempted to attract immigrants by offering land to each immigrant/each plantation owner who paid for their own passage or someone else's passage 3. Slavery: -In 1660s, House of Burgesses enacted hereditary slavery for Africans in response to labor shortages ---Economic problems: -Low tobacco prices due to overproduction led to bad economy in Maryland and Virginia

How were colonies able to attract English settlers?

In the early 1600s England was finally in a position to colonize the Americas. -England had gained a reputation as a major naval power when it defeated the Spanish Armada in 1588 -England's population was growing rapidly while its economy was depressed -The number of poor and landless people increased *people were attracted to opportunities in the Americas. **Joint-stock companies helped attract large groups of settlers

Mercantilism

Looked upon trade, colonies, and accumulation of wealth as the basis for a country's military/political strength. According to mercantilist doctrine, a government should regulate trade/production so it becomes self-sufficient. -colonies were to enrich the parent country: 1) trade to and from colonies could only be carried by English ships 2) all goods had to pass through English ports 3) certain goods could be exported to England only

Mercantilism and its impact on the colonies

Looks upon trade, colonies, and the accumulation of wealth as the basis for a country's military and political strength. According to mercantilist doctrine, a government should regulate trade and production to enable it to become self-sufficient. Colonies were to provide raw materials to the parent country for the growth and profit of that country's industries. Colonies existed for one purpose only: to enrich the parent country. Positive effects: -English shipbuilding prospers -Provides tobacco for England -Provides English military forces to protect colonies from French + Spanish Negative effects: -Limited the development of colonial manufacturing -Chesapeake farmers had to accept low prices for crops -Colonists had to pay high prices for manufactured goods *restrictions on colonial trade were widely resented

Religious issues in Maryland

Lord Baltimore's son takes control 1634; first proprietary colony act of toleration: proposed religious freedom to all Christians when conflict arose between Catholics and Protestants

King Philip's War

Metacom (known as King Philip) united tribes against the English settlers; he is killed by the English which ends American Indian resistance in New England

Bacon's rebellion (Virginia)

Sir William Berkeley, governor of Virginia, antagonized small farmers because he failed to protect them from Indian attacks -Nathaniel Bacon, a poor farmer, seized upon grievances of Western farmers to lead a rebellion against Berkeley's government -in 1676, he conducted a series of raids and massacres against American Indian villages

Representative assembly in Virginia

The Virginia Company encouraged settlement in Jamestown -Used representation in lawmaking process -House of Burgesses: first representative assembly in America

Proprietary colonies

Under the authority of individuals granted charters of ownership by the King; usually when the King owes a debt to a specific person or family. Example: Pennsylvania to the Penn family

Royal colonies

Under the direct authority of the King of England Example: Jamestown after 1624