Colonial relationship with Great Britain Who rules the
Colonial relationship with Great Britain Who rules the roost?
What I say goes! But in reality, how do I get those colonists to obey my rules?
Colonial Government British Crown • AKA…The King • Appointed by the King (King’s friends) Could dismiss the Colonial Assembly Oversaw Colonial trade (tax, smuggling) Had final approval on laws created on the local level • Royal Governor • • • Appointed by Governor (aligned with King’s side of things) Advisory board to governor Acted as highest court in each colony Council • • Colonial Assembly • • • Elected by Colonial residents Made local laws Had authority to tax (local taxes)
Colonial Government
Colonial Government When it comes down to it… British Monarchy – ultimate authority Each colony created their own local government (elections)
Local Politics New England Town meeting – discussion and decision (close knit) Colonial courts (reflected ideals of local community: Pilgrims, Puritans, education) South County officials (spread far apart) Colonial courts (reflected ideals of local community: slavery, cash crops, plantations) Middle Combination of NE and S Colonial courts (reflected ideals of local community: Quakers, trade)
Loyalists – King’s side Colonists – New version of freedom What are the + and – to this kind of government mix?
Let’s remind ourselves again … …why did Great Britain want colonial territory?
Land Money = Power Colonies meant to Mother England… Resource for raw materials (land) A market for selling finished goods (markets = exchange of money)
Was GB the only one seeking this land wealth? NO – lots of nations wanted to compete to be the biggest and the best Who?
Does this spirit go away? Do other nations stop competing just because they weren’t the first? Competition to be the biggest and the best
What does GB need to do to continue? Seek new lands with natural resources
As colonists begin to spread out who/what stands in their way? Appalachian Mountains Mississippi River Other European explorers (namely: French) Native Americans
What was the result of competing for this land?
French and Indian War
French and Indian War Basics Who: Great Britain/Colonists vs. French/Indians (George Washington’s rise to fame) What: Conflict over land Where: Ohio River Valley (near Ohio/PA) When: 1754 -1760 ( also called the Seven Years War…why? ) (Treaty of Paris – not signed until 1763) Why: World power and domination in the Americas *see Chester Comix
French and Indian War Basics Outcome/Results: British victory France withdrew from all claims east of the Mississippi River (still held land west of the Miss. River)
French and Indian War Basics Outcome/Results: Proclamation Line of 1763 An attempt to ease the tension between GB and Native Americans Colonists would not expand westward past the Appalachian Mountains Angered colonists Standing British military to protect claims and colonists Colonists believed they could protect themselves ? ? ? ? ?
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