The Colonial Trade Network Chapter 3 Triangular Trade

The Colonial Trade Network Chapter 3

Triangular Trade n System of trade that developed between England, her colonies in North America, & the Caribbean. n Trade system led to the development of major cities & proved the colonies were a major source of profit for England.

Mercantilism n Economic idea – A country should export more goods than it imports and be self sufficient in raw materials in order to make more money n England used her colonies as a source of raw materials. She would then sell back to the colonies manufactured goods made from the raw materials- a double bonus!

The Navigation Acts n Law passed by England that stated: – 1. All goods imported or exported from the colonies had to be carried on English ships. – 2. ¾ of ships crew had to be English – 3. Colonies could only sell raw materials to England (how they made all their money) n This caused great anger in the colonies!

The Staple Act n Required everything the colonies imported to go through England – Merchants bringing goods to the colonies had to stop in England pay taxes – Then ship the goods on English ships n This generates money for England increases the price of goods in the colonies n Makes the colonists angry!!!

England Cracks Down! n To enforce these laws & maintain control over its resources, England begins to send royal officials to the colonies. n The colonies become strictly controlled by England & the period of happiness is over.

Enlightenment n Enlightenment – mvmt that b/g to question what type of gov’t was best – Challenged the authority of the church in science and philosophy – Rationalism – emphasized logic and reasoning – Elevated the power of human reasoning n Enlightenment thinkers – Locke, Rousseau, and Montesquieu

Colonists Get Ideas! n English Bill of Rights- abolished absolute power of English kings – Makes the colonists think!!! n Theories of John Locke – “Natural Rights” – life, liberty & property - cannot be taken away by gov’t – A gov’ts right to rule comes from the people. § If a gov’t violates the natural rights of the people it should be overthrown – People are “clean slates” shaped by society & education § Society can be improved by a good gov’t

Rousseau n. A government can only be formed with the consent of the people – People must make their own laws in order for them to be fair and just n Believed a direct democracy was the best form of government – Direct democracy – everyone votes on everything all the time

Montesquieu n There should be 3 types (branches) of government: – – – 1. Legislative 2. Executive 3. Judicial Separation into these 3 branches = fair gov’t (separation of powers) n The 3 branches check the power of one another to keep any 1 branch from becoming too powerful n – Checks & balances

The Great Awakening n Religious movement in the 1700’s – Stressed pietism – being devout & forming an emotional bond with God n George Whitefield = minister from England who came to the colonies & started this movement – Brought teachings of John Wesley (Methodist) – Became very popular for his “revivals”

New or Old? n New Lights – Adopted this new religious attitude & teachings of the new churches being formed (Baptists, Methodist, Presbyterian) n Old Lights – Stuck to the old teachings & ways & refused to change (Puritans, Quakers, etc. ) n Baptist became very popular among Africans in the South (against slavery)

Impact of the Enlightenment & Great Awakening 1. Both movements stressed the formation of individualistic ideas n 2. Both encouraged people to break from traditional ways of doing things n 3. Both encouraged people to break from authority & form their own opinions about what is right & wrong n 4. Both movements will encourage American colonists to stand up to the injustices they were suffering at the hands of the British government! n