Salutary Neglect and Mercantilism Key Concept 2.2.I C&D
Key Concept Thesis 2.2.I.C The British government increasingly attempted to incorporate its North American colonies into a coherent, hierarchical, and imperial structure in order to pursue mercantilist economic aims, but conflicts with colonists and American Indians led to erratic enforcement of imperial policies.
Key Concept Thesis 2.2.I.D Colonists resistance to imperial control drew on local experiences of self-government, evolving ideas of liberty, the political thought of the enlightenment, greater religious independence and diversity, and an ideology critical of perceived corruption in the imperial system.
What is Mercantilism? Mercantilism- A system of political economy based on government regulation. Beginning in 1650, Britain enacted Navigation Acts that controlled colonial commerce and manufacturing for the enrichment of Britain.
What is Salutary Neglect? Established by Sir Robert Walpole British colonial policy of both George I and George II American self-government was allowed to flourish with relaxation of British policy enforcement due to the growth of trade and import duties.
British Mercantile System Because of the European rivalries that carried over to the New World, England constantly acted in its own interest and not the interest of the colonists themselves. Example: Establishment of Georgia: To protect South Carolina s rice trade
British (cont.) Treaties were also important because often Britain would make treaties with European rivals without concern for the safety and well being of the American colonist Example: Treaty of Aixla-Chapelle
Mercantilism and the Colonies America took advantage of Salutary Neglect. Not only were they selling goods to the British West Indies, but also the French colonies as well. This led the British Parliament to pass the Navigation Acts on goods like sugar and molasses and the Currency Act to stop the establishment of land banks. Land Banks- An institution that printed paper money and lent it to farmers, taking a lien on their land to ensure repayment
British Mercantilist Laws Navigation Acts Sugar Act Quartering Act Stamp Act Townshend Acts Tea Act Intolerable Acts Quebec Act
Navigation Acts (1650-1763) Put in place by England, the Navigation Acts required that goods be carried on ships owned by the English or colonial merchants. It also put restrictions on foreign traders, making the colonists export sugar and tobacco only to England. This was backed by strict military force.
Navigation Acts (cont.) The Navigation Acts led many colonists to complain about and ignore the laws by smuggling products from foreign markets.
Sugar Act (1764) Tax placed on sugar and molasses because colonists were British subjects Colonists protested and smuggled sugar and molasses
Quartering Act (1765) Required colonies to provide British troops with quarters (shelter and food) and supplies Colonial assemblies voted to refuse to supply British soldiers
Stamp Act (1765) Any item that was made of paper required a stamped tax payment to be made Colonists argued taxation with representation, Stamp Act is repealed
Townshend Acts (1767) Tax on glass, lead, paper, paint and tea Colonists smuggled goods, boycotted British goods, and fought with British troops
Tea Act (1773) A plan to bail out the East India Tea Company through a tax on tea Boston Tea Party and smuggling of tea resulted from this act.
Intolerable Acts (1774) Also called the Coercive Acts Boston Port Bill closed Boston Harbor to shipping Massachusetts Government Act annulled the colony s charter, prohibited town meetings Quartering Act mandated new barracks for British troops Justice Act allowed transfer of trials for capital crimes out of Massachusetts to other colonies or to Britain
Intolerable Acts (1774)--Response Militias form; colonies send representatives to 1st Continental Congress meets and starts colonial boycott In response to the Boston Tea Party
Quebec Act (1774) Prohibited colonists from moving into Ohio River Valley, Catholic religion in region Colonists expected to settle into the region
Questions from the Lecture How do you think an ordinary American felt after Salutary Neglect ended in the colonies? If you were a colonist during this era, which act would you have viewed as the most crippling to society? Although it was against the law, do you feel that the smuggling of venturing colonists, like John Hancock, was justified?