English migrants came to America for two main reasons. The first reason was religion. Puritans (radical Protestants) were ready to immigrate to America. The second reason for English colonization

Colonial America (1630 – 1763)

English migrants came to America for two main reasons. The first reason was religion. Puritans (radical Protestants) were ready to immigrate to America. The second reason for English colonization was land.

Jamestown, Virginia, was the first permanent English settlement in America. The Virginia Company of London sent 104 colonists to Jamestown in 1607. The colonists had to look for gold and silver, for a way to Asia. In 1612 the colony gave up the search for gold and started growing tobacco.

New England began as a place for religious radicals. The first English settlers were the Pilgrims. They sailed for the New World in 1620. After difficult early years, they established a community of farms in Massachusetts. In New England, the four chief colonies (Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut and Rhode Island) formed a military confederation and conducted their own foreign policy.

In 1664 the English captured the Dutch colony of New Netherland (New York).

Role of England

During the 1650s and 1660s, the English government finally began to play a more active role in American colonial development. Parliament passed Navigation Acts that excluded the foreigners from trading in English America and ordered to deliver tobacco and sugar to England only. In the 1670s, only seven English colonies in America were under direct Crown control. In New England, the colonists ignored the Navigation Acts. That is why from 1675 the British government tried to establish an imperial system. Agents were sent to America to enforce the Navigation Acts.

Colonial government

By the end of the 17th century most of colonial political systems were similar. The most important person in a colony was a governor. Governors were responsible forexecuting colonial laws, administering justice, and appointing most administrative and judicial officers. They were also responsible for defense and diplomatic relations with the Indians. They had veto power over all laws.

The governor's advisory council had to approve of most executive actions, and in a few colonies councils acted as a superior court. Their agreement was necessary for the passage of laws. There were usually 12 councilors in a colony

The assembly had lawmaking power in a colony. Its members were elected from local constituencies.

Colonial wars

The English and French fought often: in King William’s War (1689-1697), in Queen Anne’s War (1702-1713), in King George’s War (1744-1748), and in the French and Indian War, which began in America in 1754 and ended in Europe in 1763. In all of these wars, the French had the help of most Native Americans. In 1763 Britain became the only European imperial power in North America between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mississippi River.

Questions:

1. Why did English migrants come to America?

2. What is known about life in Jamestown?

3. What is known about New England?

4. What is the Navigation Act? What did the government do to enforce the act?

5. What were the functions of a governor, an assembly, a council?

6. When was the French and Indian War? What was its result?

Дата добавления: 2015-11-05