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Explain the relationship between the British monarchy and settlers in North America between the years 1660-1689?

User Ivan Zarea
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Final answer:

Between 1660-1689, the British monarchy increased its control over North American colonies through proprietary colonization and trade acts, but the Glorious Revolution sparked colonial resistance and a shift towards direct royal control.

Step-by-step explanation:

Relationship Between British Monarchy and North American Settlers (1660-1689)

The period between 1660 and 1689 marked significant changes in the relationship between the British monarchy and the settlers in North America. The Restoration of Charles II to the throne in 1660 opened a new chapter in colonization. This era saw the formation of proprietary colonies, as land grants were awarded to the king’s allies. These efforts aimed to bolster the British Empire’s economy through mercantilist policies and to exert greater control over colonial trade and administration.

During this time, Parliament enacted several Acts of Trade and Navigation, which were designed to ensure that trade benefitted England. The 1660 Navigation Act, in particular, was significant in that it enumerated goods like sugar, tobacco, and cotton that could only be shipped within the empire using English or colonial vessels. To strengthen imperial control further and capitalize on the New World’s economic potential, these acts regulated colonial trade in favor of the British economy.

However, the overthrow of James II in the Glorious Revolution of 1688 led to upheavals in the colonies, resulting in the fall of institutions like the Dominion of New England. The ensuing years saw many colonies lose their charters and shift to direct royal control. Despite the overarching control, regional tensions and differing interests laid the groundwork for future colonial dissent and the drive towards independence.

User Dan Morrow
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