Characteristics Of The British Colonies

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By 1607, the British colonized Jamestown, the first successful English settlement in North America. However, the British were so far away from the Americas so they would ignore what the colonists would do. They enforced salutary neglect, a policy showing that their trade regulations and concerns with North American colonies would be easy-going. In return, colonists would have to remain loyal to Parliament and provided a reasonable profit to Britain. Because of salutary neglect, the colonists were able to create their own governments, create a capitalist economy, have more religious freedom and could improve their lives by working harder. These vital principles that are rooted in American society, were uniquely developed by the British colonies to some extent by 1754. The British colonies created a unique society because the government became more democratic and more representative. The colonies were more representative because there was a lot of land that was available to the colonists for their use. More land would equal to more voters which leads to a more representative government. The colonial government was a bicameral congress split into the council and the assembly. Within …show more content…

Colonists were able to create their own governments that became more democratic and representative. Free white men had a voice of opinion within local assemblies and could vote and hold office. They also created a capitalist economy to a certain degree where companies were competing with one another to find resources and wealth. In addition, the British colonies were unique because of the Great Awakening and how the ideas derived from that movement helped create some unity throughout America. The spread of religious freedom in the middle and southern colonies also made the colonies different to a certain degree. Most importantly, there were more opportunities for people to improve their lives and social

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