4. THE EMP. IN TRANSITION
1750s, British imperialism benefited Americans w/ commerce, stability, & militia
But, by 1775, a strained relationship → Rev. started over independence in America
- Differences b/n the 2 were casual until 1763 & its new restricting policies
1. Loosening Ties
1688-1763, English control wasn’t seriously tightened
- However, there were 3 additional royal colonies = 8
- New laws restricting colonial manufacturers, paper money, & trade
Debate - How much do you tamper w/ colonial affairs?
A Tradition of Neglect
Post-Glorious Rev., Parliament took over the king(s)
- Needed support of merchants & landowners = Relaxed
Colonial administration was decentralized (Ex. Privy Council administered laws)
- Departments & authority often overlapped = Confusion
Also, officeholders there for the wrong reason weakened colonial control (How?)
Colonial legislatures had the upper hand over Privy via colonial budget control
The Colonies Divided
Colonies were divided & saw themselves as English subjects
- Slight ties were made via communication & settlement
Forced to cooperate at times - Ex. Albany Plan to combat French & allies (Not approved)
- Gives power to govern Indian relations to a general gov.
2. The Struggle for the Continent
175/60s, N. American war over balance power globally
- Post-7 Years’ War, British now dominated imperially & commercially = Control
French/Indian War was b/n the English, French, & Iroquois
- Established English dominance = Upset power balance & pulled in Americans
New Fr. & the Iroquois Nation
1750s, French/English tensions over ↑ French presence
- French Jesuits & fur traders moved deeper into the wild as French-Canadian farmers
moved near the bottom of the MI River
1770s, French explores, Joliet & Marquette, explored new French-conquered lands
- Subsequent explorers outlined the whole continental interior, including LA
- Secured via forts, missions, & posts (Ex. Detroit, Fort Louisbourg, etc.)
S.-like plantations grew in MI, ran by “Creoles” - White French immigrants
Shared interior w/ Indians, English traders, etc. “middle ground”
- Natives focused on independence as French/English battled for control (Via allies…)
- English offered good as French offered tolerance, adaptation, & peace
However, the powerful Iroquois Confederacy avoided close relationships
- Opted for putting the French & English against each other…
Ex. Ohio Valley - Claimed by the French v. competing Indains, Iroquois traders, & settling
English = Battle ground (FIE)
*Anglo-French Conflicts
English/French peace in Eur. = Peace in N. America’s interior, but still tensions
English William III’s successor, Anne w/ Spain struggled against Fr. (1702) = *
- War repercussions in N. New Eng. & challenged American borders
- Ended by Treaty of Utrecht (1713) = N. American French territories → English (Ex.
Acadia)