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The Iron Act was a law enacted by England to restrict the colonies from exporting certain types of iron, and restricting them from refining iron on their own. This law was enacted in an effort to limit the growth of the American iron industry in favor of the English iron industry. This was significant to self-rule in the colonies because it restricted colonial industries purely to boost English industries, which led to even more resentment towards England.

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The Molasses Act taxed imports of molasses, sugar, and rum from non-English territories into the colonies. The aim of this act was to limit colonial trade with foreign sugar-producing colonies. This was significant to self-rule in the colonies because it restricted what the colonies could import and fueled anger towards England.

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Salutary Neglect was an unofficial policy in which trade restrictions on the colonies, such as the Navigation Acts, were not enforced. This was due to corrupt British officials, and it led to economic prosperity in the colonies. The colonies got used to not having restrictions placed on them and being able to run themselves. This was significant to self-rule in the colonies because it showed the colonies the success and prosperity that was possible without restrictions from English laws, which led to more interest in colonial independence from England.

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The Wool Act restricted the export of wool and fabrics made of wool outside of the colony that it came from, and could only be exported to England. This act primarily protected the interests of the English wool industry. This was significant to self-rule in the colonies because it restricted colonies' ability to trade and led to a buildup of anger towards England.

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The idea of self-rule in the colonies remained intact and thrived despite many attempts from the English to control the colonies and discourage autonomy. An example of colonial self-rule surviving is during the end of the Dominion of New England. The colonists were fed up with the treatment under the governor. Even though they had restricted town meetings and local legislature, they banded together to revolt against the governor and were able to reestablish colonial self-rule. This event shows that the colonists were able to successfully rebel and maintained their values of self-rule. Another period that shows that self-rule thrived is the period of Salutary Neglect. Without restrictions on trade from the English government, the colonists prospered economically and developed even more values of independence and autonomy. This shows that the colonists were not only capable, but very successful and thrived without being restricted by English law, which only further developed values of self-rule in the colonies. All in all, self-rule and values of American independence have been in our country since the beginning, and persevered despite many obstacles.

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End of the Dominion of New England/Boston Rebellion (1689)

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End of the Dominion of New England/Boston Rebellion (1689)

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The governor that King James II appointed to govern the Dominion, Sir Edmund Andros, was unpopular amongst the people. He restricted local governments and town meetings, raised taxes, forced the Anglican church in Puritan areas, and increased enforcement of the Navigation Acts. This led to a revolt against the rule of the governor in Boston, which ended the Dominion of New England. This was significant to self-rule in the colonies because it allowed self-government in the colonies again and led to the idea that the colonies could rebel against English authority.

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Formation of the Dominion of New England (1686)

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Formation of the Dominion of New England (1686)

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Due to King James II wanting to increase royal control over the colonies, he decided to merge the Plymouth, MA Bay, NH, and RI colonies, with NY and NJ joining in 1688. The king chose a leader to govern the Dominion, while town meetings and local legislatures were restricted. This was significant towards self-rule because it enforced more English control over the colonial governments and local legislatures, removing some of the autonomy of the colonies. This led to increased distaste towards English authority.

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The Navigation Acts were instated by the English in order to limit colonial trade with countries not affiliated with England. This was to ensure that England would be able to maximize profits by having goods exported and imported from England only and having to use English ships and ports to transport goods. This allowed England to be able to make their own prices for resources since the colonies could only import from England, which let England overcharge. This was significant for self-rule in the colonies because it restricted their options for trade and slowed down economic growth in the colonies, which led to resentment towards England.

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Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)

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Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639)

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In 1639, the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut was created, and it was the first written constitution in America. The orders were created from the popular vote of the people, however it was really just white male landowners. The Fundamental Orders of Connecticut allowed for the governor to be elected by the legislature instead of by a proprietor or by the king. This was significant for self-rule because it was the first written constitution in America, and allowed for the executive of a government to be elected.

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In 1620, the Puritans sailed from England to Massachusetts seeking religious freedom. They decided to form a set of rules to govern themselves, creating the document known as the Mayflower Compact. This document kept them loyal to the king, but they would create laws and work together according to the Christian faith. This was significant for self-rule in the colonies because it was the first self-governing document made in the colonies, however, the Puritans also swore loyalty to the king.

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Formation of the House of Burgesses (1619)

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Formation of the House of Burgesses (1619)

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The Virginia Company established legislature that allowed residents of Jamestown representation in the lawmaking process, creating the first representative assembly in America, known as the House of Burgesses. The House of Burgesses was comprised of white male landowners. This was significant for self-rule in the colonies because it set the precedent for representative democracy in the colonies, even if it was only comprised by landowning white males.