What Changes Took Place in the American Colonies in the 17th Century?

British Empire – Britain and its American Colonies

This course examines the evolution of British colonial rule in America from 1660 to 1713, focusing on: (i) the political instability in Britain, including the Civil War, Cromwell's republic, and the Glorious Revolution, influencing colonial governance; (ii) the diverse colonial structures—chartered, proprietary, and covenanted—each with distinct political arrangements; (iii) Britain’s shift from exploiting colonies for wealth to centralizing control, particularly under Cromwell and later Charles II; (iv) the role of colonial governance, the doctrine of discovery, and the tension between imperial and local authority; (v) the causes and effects of colonial rebellions like Bacon's Rebellion and Leisler’s Rebellion, which resisted royal authority; (vi) the impact of European wars, such as King William's War, on colonial conflicts, with Native American alliances playing a critical role; and (vii) the transformation of European politics, driven by the global nature of empires and the rise of professional bureaucracies.

What Changes Took Place in the American Colonies in the 17th Century?

In this lecture, we examine Britain and its American colonies in the early 17th century, focusing on key developments, including: (i) the political instability in Britain, shaped by the civil war, Cromwell’s republic, and the Glorious Revolution; (ii) the colonies' complex context, surrounded by European powers and indigenous peoples; (iii) the different colony types—chartered, proprietary, and covenanted—each with unique governance; (iv) Britain's shift from using colonies for wealth to centralizing control, especially under Cromwell; and (v) the restoration of the monarchy under Charles II, leading to efforts at uniform colonial governance, including the creation of New York and the short-lived Dominion of New England.