Divergent Paths: Role of Colonial Courts, The
Colonial courts also play a significant role in the life of the town. Records of court proceedings provide an intriguing glimpse into colonial life and what was important to people at the time. Historian Helena Wall recounts one such case, a 17th c...
Growing Pains: Patterns of English Colonization in North America
By the end of the 1630s, English settlers have established six significant colonies in the New World. In a series of events that shock Europe, the English king is beheaded, the House of Lords is dissolved, and England finds itself under the stern ru...
Growing Pains: Integration of Colonies within British System
As the first century of English settlement in America comes to an end and colonists celebrate their victories over arbitrary British rule, they are in fact become more a part of the imperial system in terms of communication and participation in the ...
Growing Pains: Middle Colonies--A Diverse Melting Pot, The
Perhaps the most lasting legacy of the Quakers is religious toleration, not a common notion in the 17th century. The practical benefit of encouraging religious toleration is that it makes it very easy to populate your colony. The middle colonies are...
Growing Pains: Migration to the Middle Colonies
At the end of the 17th century, with many of the "best" lands in New England and Virginia already taken, new colonists show an interest in the Middle Colonies. A number of colonists like Gabriel Thomas send reports home, sharing their observations ...
Strained Relations: Taxing the Colonies
The British begin enacting a series of financial revenue acts in 1764 to help pay for the cost of administering their continental empire. The resolutions of protest, riots and economic boycotts by colonials baffle the British who point out that thei...
Strained Relations: Growth of Colonial Resistance
The Boston Massacre, a clash between working-class people in Boston and British troops, ignites colonial resentment to a new level of intensity. Although the next few years appear relatively calm, resistance is building below the surface. A number o...
Strained Relations: British Experience the Burdens of Empire
Imperial authorities come away from the Seven Years' War convinced that they need to assert more control over the colonies. They demobilize colonial troops and attempt to control western territories by themselves, provoking massive resistance among ...
Strained Relations: Imperial/Colonial Relationship, The
Few Americans in the 1750s are bothered by their connection to the British empire. It provides opportunities for trade and commerce as well as military protection and political stability. Although the English government leaves the colonies alone for...
Strained Relations: British Attempt to Subdue Colonial Resistance
In response to the Intolerable Acts, the First Continental Congress convenes in Philadelphia. At this stage, Congress does not think of itself as a government, but as a means to counter the bullying of Great Britain. British troops are sent to Bosto...