Culture of British N.A.

The Development of British North

America

EQ: How did the American colonies change during British colonization?

“The Atlantic World”

Trans-Atlantic Trade

● Between 16th and 19th century,

Europe exported over 12
million enslaved Africans
across the Atlantic Ocean

● Chattel Slave- an enslaved

person that is owned, and
whose children are owned,
forever.

● Chattel Slavery became an

American institution, southern
states relied on this system.

● Labor used on sugar, cocoa,

coffee and cotton plantations.

Trans-Atlantic Trade

● trans= “across”

● Triangular trade – process of

shipping enslaved to
Americas, shipping raw goods
to Europe and then selling
goods back to Africa

“The Middle
Passage”

● The voyage across

the Atlantic Ocean
on “cargo” ships
was known as the
Middle Passage.

● Conditions were

horrific. Enslaved
Africans were
chained and
stacked on top of
each other like
cargo.

● Usually only half

survived the two
month journey.

African
Contributions

● Despite the dehumanization

experienced by enslaved African
peoples, they managed to
maintain many cultural
elements, including- dance,
music, art, food and religion.

● Over time these cultures

blended with others to help
create the diversity we have
today.

Salutary Neglect leads to
Colonial Self-Governance

● Salutary Neglect- the British policy of not strictly enforcing

Parliamentary laws on the colonists as long as the

colonists provided raw materials and bought manufactured

products (mercantilism).

● This “neglect” resulted in the colonists creating their own

forms of government and laws. What examples can you

think of that we’ve already discussed…?

European Colonization

● In the 17th - 19th century,

Europeans took more steps to
dominate the rest of the
world.

● They wanted to own the vast

land and resources that other
nations had to offer.

● Mercantilism – theory that the

“mother country” gains
financial benefits from its
colonies at the colonies’
expense

● Then as a nation became

stronger through
mercantilism, others became
weaker.

Change on the Horizon

●The House of Burgesses in Virginia

●New England Town Hall meetings

● Colonially elected judges and political

leaders.

These political advancements would lead
to an increased desire for self governance.

In other words, an increased desire for

FREEDOM.

Benjamin Franklin

● In the 1700’s, the life of Benjamin

Franklin represented changes in
society.

● Franklin was able to rise in society

from a very poor, humble beginning to
a life of wealth, accomplishment and
fame.

● This upward move in society is called

“social mobility”.

● Through his writings, Franklin

promoted individualism, in which he
stressed the importance of individuals
in society.

● This idea led to a shift in power from

institutions (i.e. Church, monarch) to
individuals (i.e. “common citizens”)

The Great Awakening

● In the 1700’s, American religion changed.

● In “The Great Awakening”, the colonies experienced a

religious revival inspired by the Enlightenment.

● The period is best remembered for preachers and their

passionate, intense sermons & a shift from Puritan

control.

● Sermons emphasised individual religious experience
rather than religious experience through church doctrine

(beliefs).

● Laid the groundwork for the strong, religious origins in

the fight for independence.

● “If salvation was to be reached through personal
understanding and interpretation (not mandated by the

Church), shouldn’t government also be the same?”

Drag and Drop

Match the definition to the concept.


First elected lawmakers in the colonies; Virginia.

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English policy; not enforcing laws in exchange for colonial goods.

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Church members discussed community & political issues.

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Drag these tiles and drop them in the correct blank above

House of Burgesses

Salutary Neglect

New England Town Hall Meetings

Massachusetts Becomes A Royal
Colony
● Events in England ( the restoration of the monarch to

the throne) led to increased control over the North
American colonies.

● The crown passed a set of laws known as the

Navigation Acts which tried to regulate and restrict
colonial trade.

● Massachusetts opposed the acts and refused to obey,

New England relied on trade for income.

● Puritans refusal to practice religious tolerance led to

further dispute.

● These events led to the Massachusetts colony

becoming a royal colony and having their charter
revoked.

The Dominion of New England

● Forced by King James II.
● Consolidation of NE Colonies, New York, New

Jersey.

● Goals:

-To make colonies more obedient.

-To restrict trade.

-Stop smuggling among colonies.

Salem Witch Trials

● Toleration Act to ensure

religious freedom.

● Puritans felt the law was

Royalist (supported the
same government that
prosecuted them).

● In 1692 in the town of

Salem, MA hearings were
held for a group of people
accused of witchcraft.

● In the end, 20 men and

women were put to death
for practicing “witchcraft”.

Effects of Salem Witch Trials

● The mass hysteria of the Salem Witch

Trials highlighted the dangers of
religious extremism in colonial America.

● Led to changes in legal system like legal

representation, cross examination & the
presumption of innocence.

Seven Years War

● The battle over colonies

will force the British and
the French to do battle
for imperial control of
those colonies.

● Part of that war will be

fought for colonial rights
to North America.

● In this country, it is

known as “The French
and Indian War”

End of Salutary Neglect

Following the Seven Years War, England began to
re-establish control over the colonies. The Crown started
to act more and more aggressively to collect debts:

1. Crown sent standing Armies to occupy the colonies
2. Stamp Act tax on all paper goods passed in 1764.
3. Quartering Act colonists must house and feed soldiers

passed in 1765