U.S. History - Chapter 4: Rule Britannia, the English Empire 1660-1763

Introduction

• 18th Century Great Britain
  • Birth of Great Britain (Union of England and Scotland in 1707)
  • Expansion of British Empire into a commercial and military powerhouse
  • Economic influence:
    • India: British East India Company
    • West Africa: British slave traders
    • West Indies: Sugar plantations in Barbados and Jamaica
• North American Colonies
  • Population growth from 250,000 in early 1700s to over a million by 1750
  • Strong ties with Great Britain in politics, military, religion, and culture

4.1 Charles II and the Restoration Colonies

Learning Objectives

• Analyze causes and consequences of the Restoration
• Identify Restoration Colonies and their role in the Empire

Restoration of the English Monarchy

• Charles II:
  • Ascended throne in 1660, restoring monarchy after English Civil Wars
  • Strengthened England’s global power, expanded North American possessions
  • Established Mercantilist Navigation Acts

Restoration Colonies

• Proprietary Colonies:
  • Gave lands to trusted individuals/families
  • Included New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Carolinas
• Carolinas:
  • Established by English plantation owners from Barbados
  • Developed into North and South Carolina due to political disagreements
  • South Carolina: Rice and indigo, black majority due to slavery
  • North Carolina: Ship materials, tobacco
  • Native American relations: Yamasee War due to land expansion and trade debts

New York and New Jersey

• English Takeover:
  • New Netherland taken from Dutch during Anglo-Dutch Wars
  • Renamed New York, included present-day New Jersey
• Diverse Population:
  • Included various ethnic and religious groups
  • Iroquois neutrality policy maintained own villages and trade

Pennsylvania

• William Penn and Quakers:
  • Established for religious freedom, Quakers as main settlers
  • Allowed religious tolerance unlike other colonies
  • Developed friendly relations with Native Americans
  • Philadelphia as a major port city, attracted diverse European immigrants

Navigation Acts

• Mercantilist Policies:
  • Controlled trade with American colonies
  • Series of Acts from 1651 to 1696
  • Led to "salutary neglect" and smuggling due to lax enforcement

4.2 The Glorious Revolution and the English Empire

Learning Objectives

• Causes and outcomes of the Glorious Revolution

Causes of the Glorious Revolution

• James II:
  • Modeled rule after Catholic Louis XIV
  • Feared Catholic monarchy and absolute power in England
• Whig Opposition:
  • Overthrew James II, leading to Protestant reign of William and Mary

Outcomes

• Constitutional Monarchy:
  • 1689 Bill of Rights, established Parliament’s independence
  • Guaranteed rights like trial by jury and religious tolerance
• John Locke’s Influence:
  • Advocated government as a contract, importance of representation
• Religious Tolerance Act:
  • Greater religious diversity, influenced colonies

4.3 An Empire of Slavery and the Consumer Revolution

Learning Objectives

• Slavery’s role in British Empire, effects of Stono Rebellion and New York Trials
• Consumer revolution impact on colonial life

Slavery and Rebellion

• Royal African Company:
  • Monopoly on slave trade, increased trafficking post-Glorious Revolution
• Stono Rebellion (1739):
  • Led by enslaved Angolan Jemmy, resulted in stricter slave codes

New York Conspiracy Trials (1741)

• Ethnic Conflicts and Fears:
  • Fires suspected as revolt by enslaved
  • Led to trials and executions, highlighted racial tensions

Consumer Revolution

• Colonial Gentry:
  • Wealthy class modeled on English aristocracy
• Increased Supply of Goods:
  • Tea, printed materials, shared culture between colonies and Britain
• Popular Publications:
  • Cato's Letters and The Spectator promoted liberty and refinement

4.4 Great Awakening and Enlightenment

Learning Objectives

• Significance of the Great Awakening and Enlightenment in British America

Great Awakening

• Protestant Revivalism:
  • Emotional religiosity, split between new lights and old lights
  • Prominent figures: Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield

Enlightenment

• Intellectual Movement:
  • Emphasized reason, science over religion
  • Notable figures: John Locke, Benjamin Franklin
  • Promoted ideals like rationalism, empiricism, progressivism

4.5 Wars for Empire

Learning Objectives

• Description and significance of conflicts

Major Conflicts

• King William’s War, Queen Anne’s War, King George’s War:
  • Territorial conflicts with France and Spain
  • Decisive war: French and Indian War (Seven Years’ War)
• French and Indian War (1754-1763):
  • Over control of North America, British victory
  • Treaty of Paris 1763, Britain gained mastery over North America

Impact

• Colonial Pride and British Identity:
  • Strengthened ties but also led to debt and future colonial tensions

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This summary captures the key points from Chapter 4 of the OpenStax U.S. History textbook, focusing on the English Empire's dynamics during 1660-1763.