Self Rule Rollercoaster -A. Wimbish by Alex Wimbish

House of Burgesses-1619

awimbish27 — 2025-09-10 17:26:04 UTC

The House of Burgesses was a representative congress that was established to limit the power of the governor, giving citizens more power over how things were run. This was also a selling point to encourage immigration to the colonies, as many in Europe were tired of their lack of representation in government.

Mayflower Compact-1620

awimbish27 — 2025-09-10 17:26:43 UTC

Signed by Puritan men on the Mayflower, this document established self-rule and a semi-democratic government for the Plymouth Colony. The Puritans, though reaffirming their loyalty to the King and England in the Mayflower Compact, still expressed their dissatisfaction with their treatment in England through leaving to create an independent colony.

Fundamental Orders of CT-1639

awimbish27 — 2025-09-10 17:37:25 UTC

This was the first written constitution in the American Colonies. Written in 1639, it provided voting rights to "substantial citizens," which was exclusive to landowning, white men. This established a degree of independence from the British.

Start of the Navigation Acts-1651

awimbish27 — 2025-09-10 17:38:22 UTC

These Acts restricted colonial businesses from trade with any other territories outside of the British Empire. The colonists could only use English ships to transport their goods. In addition, one third of the goods had to go to the King, and another third to the governor. If a business was found in violation of these Acts, then the remaining third would also be sent to the King. This greatly restricted the market that the colonists could buy and sell from, forcing them to become solely dependent on Britain.

Formation of the Dominion of New England-1686

awimbish27 — 2025-09-10 17:40:47 UTC

Established by King James II in 1686, the Dominion of New England was a combination of the northern colonies. The King wanted to tighten control over these colonies, who have had representative and semi-autonomous governance for decades. The loss of autonomy and increased British control angered the colonists, sparking the Boston Rebellion in 1689.

End of the Dominion of New England/Boston Rebellion-1689

awimbish27 — 2025-09-10 17:44:45 UTC

Colonists were frustrated with the increase of British control and decrease in autonomy that came with the formation of the Dominion of New England in 1686. They were disgruntled about the King essentially ending their representative legislature's power, which had given power to the people for decades. This led to the Boston Rebellion as a protest against the power seizure. The British deemed the risk posed by the protests and rebellion to be too much and dissolved the Dominion in 1689. However, the colonies were re-established under royal charters, which still limited their autonomy.

Start of Salutary Neglect-1721

awimbish27 — 2025-09-10 17:49:39 UTC

PM Walpole was extremely corrupt, which led to bribes taking precedent over the law. Colonists bribed the officials to ignore the Navigation Acts, meaning that colonists could now trade with other countries and were no longer solely dependent on Britain.

Conclusion

awimbish27 — 2025-09-11 16:41:55 UTC

The colonies had little autonomy under the English crown. For much of the time period covered, they were under the Navigation Acts, which stripped the colonies of the right to trade with other countries. This made them solely dependent on the British. Another way Britain curtailed colonial autonomy was the formation of the Dominion of New England in 1686. This essentially ended elected legislative government in the Northeast and increased British control.