Rebellion, Mercantilism, and the Great Awakening

1. Rebellion, Mercantilism, and the Great Awakening

2. Mercantilism • Aims to enrich a country (accumulate currency, gold or silver) by exporting more than importing • In colonial system, import raw materials from colonies and export manufactured goods back to them • Vertical integration – eliminates reliance on foreign suppliers, relies on suppliers it controls (internal sources and colonies) • Damages foreign competitors’ commercial interests by raising tariffs, refusing to trade or aggressive action • Triangular trade sought to make most use of colonial resources and shipping within empire

3. The Navigation Acts: 1651 • laws ensured English maximum commercial benefit from colonies: colonial trade only on British or British owned ships • England became Europe’s strongest shipping nation; Colonies developed shipbuilding industry • Port like Philadelphia, NY, Boston, and Charleston prospered • “Enumerated goods” like tobacco, rice, furs , indigo shipped to England first; English bought these products exclusively from colonies (even if more expensive) • English subsidies and tax breaks encouraged colonial production of raw materials • Colonies became a protected market for English products; Wealthier colonists emulated British consumption patterns (e.g., “tea time”) reinforcing identity as “British”

4. Rebellion and War • 1661: Charles II became king in “restoration” of monarchy • Charles II and James II distrusted legislatures • 1686: James II created Dominion of New England to exert royal control • 1688: Glorious Revolution in England • Boston captured governor Andros • Repeal of Dominion • But established royally appointed governor in Massachusetts • Maryland protestants rebelled to convert colony to Church of England • American colonists again unified with English and conflict eased

5. Political Structure at1700 • After the Glorious Revolution, most colonies had • Bicameral legislature (commoners and landed gentry) • Royally appointed governor • Colonies still had different cultures, but increasingly felt commonalities • Religious toleration existed in most places, with varying amounts of diversity • Coastal cities became centers of philosophical discussion Patrick Henry speaking at House of Burgesses

6. Enlightenment • Intellectual movement confident in human reason and skeptical towards beliefs not founded on science or strict logic • Key European figures: Newton, Locke, Voltaire • Key Americans: Franklin, Jefferson, Paine • American port cities concentrated the literature and thinkers of American Enlightenment • Spread considerably in America due to high literacy rates • Deism: belief in single, rational, creator God that remained detached from events

7. Great Awakening • Deep longing for sense of salvation and security in an insecure and dangerous world • Reaction against cold logic of Enlightenment • Predominantly oral: sermons, revivals • Jonathan Edwards: “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” • Stressed personal salvation of God’s word, coupled with vivid fear of hell

8. Effects of Great Awakening • Led to divisions between “New Light” Great Awakening preachers and “Old Light” ministers in established congregations • Led to creation of Baptist, Methodist and Presbyterian churches which today dominate American Protestantism • New Light movement created universities: Princeton, Rutgers, Brown, Columbia, Dartmouth • Brought African-Americans and Native Americans into Protestant movement