Colonial Concepts!
Background Knowledge You Need to Know!
Salutary Neglect
This is a term that is applicable to the British government's attitude toward the colonies in the 17th and 18th centuries til about 1750.
The British government was happy to have shipments of natural resources/raw goods from the colonies in the first 150 years of colonization. They just wanted the goods delivered.
They were happy to allow the colonial assemblies to "run the show" of daily operations and decision-making.
The monarch had veto power, but in over 4000 acts by colonial assemblies, the king only vetoed about 450. The kings were pretty good guys it seems--contrary to the story told by the colonists.
With these elected colonial assemblies, the colonists got used to self-government, and that will affect the colonies down the road.
Click on the link below!
You'll find a Library of Congress timeline for the development of the revolutionary movement in British North America from 1764 through 1788!
Videos About Mercantilism!
Check out the videos above and below this text about the economic system that England was operating under during the colonial era. It has a great deal to do with the revolution!
https://youtu.be/zPIhMJGWiM8
Check out this Thinglink (Interactive Map About Colonial America--Trade!) Below!
https://youtu.be/A8o9lsQPMAg
Mercantilism, the Navigation Acts and Salutary Neglect
Check out the video above about mercantilism, the Navigation Acts and salutary neglect! These concepts and practices have everything to do with the American Revolution.
https://youtu.be/Eytc9ZaNWyc
https://youtu.be/4ERLY0LhjcM
Virtual Representation
The concept of "virtual representation" was a British idea that meant that anyone who was an elected official represented all British subjects---not just the ones near where he lived. The British didn't have "district" representatives. It was as if they were all elected "at large." So the fact that the colonies were not represented in Parliament was not a big deal for the British. It WAS a big deal for the colonists who were used to self-government in their own colonies and they believed they were paying taxes and were not represented. There was a big disconnect in the ideas about representation and no one gave in.
https://youtu.be/qdFxPKXb8u8
The Olive Branch Petition
If you ever wonder if the colonists (patriots) "jumped into" the idea of independence, think again. The language of the Olive Branch Petition proves that the colonists were not on a path of no return even as they signed the Olive Branch Petition. Had King George considered the petition, we might still be British! Watch the video above for more information!