Unit 1: Freedom in Colonial America (1600-1776)

Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses, Fundamental Orders of CT

* Examples of colonial self-rule. • The House of Burgesses was the first representative body in the colonies. • The Mayflower Compact and the Fundamental Orders of CT are examples of written documents establishing local self-government.

Cash crop

A crop produced for its commercial value rather than for use by the grower.

Mercantilism

Economic system that benefits the mother country.

Enlightenment Ideas & Natural Rights

Enlightenment philosophers described how people are endowed with certain inalienable natural rights. • John Locke = "life, liberty, property." • Baron DeMontesquieu = "separation of powers of government." • Idea of the "consent of the governed."

Thomas Paine & Common Sense

Thomas Paine wrote a pamphlet entitled "Common Sense" to convince people to support the cause of independence.

Boycott

Withdraw from commercial or social relations with (a country, organization, or person) as a punishment or protest.

Declaration of Independence

• NOT a plan of government. • It is a statement of grievances by the colonists against the British king. • Written by Thomas Jefferson, it was inspired by John Locke.

Salutary Neglect

So long as the colonists were keeping up their end of the mercantilist system, Great Britain left them alone to rule themselves.