Roots Of The Independence Movement
The Roots of the Independence Movement
There were many factors that led the colonists to push for Independence. Early on, the colonies became accustomed to representational government, and Parliament’s interference with this right is one major factor that sparked the independence movement. In Virginia, the House of Burgesses, the first form of representational government in the New World, was established in 1619. Moreover, the Mayflower Compact was signed as a covenant between God and the people before the Pilgrims set foot on land in Plymouth. By signing their names, each man pledged to follow the government established when they reached land. This foundation was built upon by the General Court of Freemen in which every man, free or unfree, was allowed to vote for a representative to the assembly. A similar form of government was established in Massachusetts Bay with selectmen, who were elected to vote on issues related to the town, similar to a city council. It …show more content…
Education became more important throughout the colonies as evidenced by several colleges being founded. Additionally, colonists began emphasizing political liberty along with the newfound religious liberty that they had found through Christ. It is no coincidence that the Great Awakening occurred just decades before the War for Independence. As long as Britain kept a laissez-faire attitude toward her American colonies, all was well, but by the 1660s, Britain began passing laws which supported mercantilism, the idea that colonies were to produce for the sole benefit of the mother country. However, these laws were hardly enforced until after the French and Indian War when Britain found herself in a considerable amount of debt. The new administration of Grenville along with recently ascended King George III began strictly enforcing these laws and passing new ones, which met the colonies with
There were many factors that led the colonists to push for Independence. Early on, the colonies became accustomed to representational government, and Parliament’s interference with this right is one major factor that sparked the independence movement. In Virginia, the House of Burgesses, the first form of representational government in the New World, was established in 1619. Moreover, the Mayflower Compact was signed as a covenant between God and the people before the Pilgrims set foot on land in Plymouth. By signing their names, each man pledged to follow the government established when they reached land. This foundation was built upon by the General Court of Freemen in which every man, free or unfree, was allowed to vote for a representative to the assembly. A similar form of government was established in Massachusetts Bay with selectmen, who were elected to vote on issues related to the town, similar to a city council. It …show more content…
Education became more important throughout the colonies as evidenced by several colleges being founded. Additionally, colonists began emphasizing political liberty along with the newfound religious liberty that they had found through Christ. It is no coincidence that the Great Awakening occurred just decades before the War for Independence. As long as Britain kept a laissez-faire attitude toward her American colonies, all was well, but by the 1660s, Britain began passing laws which supported mercantilism, the idea that colonies were to produce for the sole benefit of the mother country. However, these laws were hardly enforced until after the French and Indian War when Britain found herself in a considerable amount of debt. The new administration of Grenville along with recently ascended King George III began strictly enforcing these laws and passing new ones, which met the colonies with