Colonial Development: Economy, Society & Government

Mercantilism was an economic theory that emphasized the role of colonies in enhancing the wealth and power of the mother country. Under this system, colonies were expected to provide raw materials and resources to the mother country and serve as markets for its manufactured goods. This relationship aimed to create a favorable balance of trade, where the mother country accumulated wealth through its colonies, reinforcing its economic dominance. Thus, the primary purpose of the American colonies was to contribute to the enrichment of the British Empire, rather than seeking economic independence or engaging in free trade.

The Navigation Acts of 1651 were enacted to ensure that trade within the British Empire benefited England economically. By mandating that certain goods produced in the colonies be shipped only on English ships and that trade with foreign nations was limited, these laws aimed to control colonial commerce. This approach reinforced England's economic dominance and ensured that profits from colonial trade flowed back to the mother country, ultimately restricting the colonies' trading autonomy and fostering dependence on England.

The Dominion of New England was established in 1686 by King James II as an administrative consolidation of several colonies in New England. This move aimed to strengthen royal control and streamline governance, reducing the influence of local assemblies. Sir Edmund Andros was appointed as the governor to oversee this new entity, which centralized authority and implemented stricter enforcement of English laws. The Dominion faced resistance from colonists, ultimately leading to its dissolution in 1689 after the Glorious Revolution in England.

Salutary neglect refers to the British policy of allowing the American colonies considerable freedom in their governance while England was preoccupied with various military conflicts in Europe. This diversion of attention enabled colonial assemblies to assert more control over local matters, including taxation and legislation, as the British government was less inclined to enforce strict regulations. Consequently, the colonies experienced a degree of autonomy that fostered their political development and laid the groundwork for future demands for independence.

At the bottom of Southern colonial society were enslaved people, who were forced into labor without any rights or freedoms. They were considered property and were subjected to brutal conditions, contributing significantly to the economy through their work on plantations. Unlike indentured servants, who had a contract and a potential path to freedom, enslaved individuals were permanently bound to servitude, highlighting their marginalized status in the social hierarchy. This starkly contrasted with the wealth and power held by plantation owners and even small farmers, who had more autonomy and rights.

In the 1700s, plantation owners faced a declining supply of indentured servants, prompting a shift toward enslaved African labor. Enslaved individuals provided a permanent workforce, ensuring long-term labor availability without the limitations of contracts or freedom. Additionally, the establishment of laws that formalized racial slavery provided a legal framework that supported this transition. Plantations, which required substantial labor for cultivation and harvesting, found enslaved labor to be a more reliable and controllable option to meet their increasing demands for workers.

The Stono Rebellion, occurring in September 1739, was a significant uprising of enslaved Africans in South Carolina. Led by a man named Jemmy, the rebels aimed to escape to Spanish Florida, where they believed they would find freedom and support. The rebellion began with a raid on a store for weapons and quickly escalated as the group marched south, gathering more followers. It was one of the largest slave revolts in the British colonies, highlighting the desperate quest for liberty among enslaved people and the tensions surrounding slavery in the region.