The Old British Imperial System
The British Imperial system was fundamentally based on the policy, mercantilism. Where each colonial possession should provide wealth to the mother country, in these circumstances, the American colonies provided wealth to the British. Colonies were not supposed to compete with the mother country's home industries. The British Empire was a closed system, designed to keep competition out. The mercantile policy turned Britain into the preeminent center of trade in the world. Through out the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, the basic purpose of the colonies was to support the mother country. The colonies acted as tenants for the British. The colonies had to produce raw materials, such as, tobacco, corn, tomatoes, potatoes, timber, indigo and beans. Britain produced a surplus amount of goods, and the colonies were forced to buy the surplus, there for the colonies can also be viewed as an outlet for surplus manufacturers. The colonies were also and outlet for surplus population. For example, some religious groups, such as the Quakers, were persecuted through out Bri
Although merchants experienced the disadvantages of the old imperial system, they also prospered from it, since they had no foreign competition. The imperial system also posed advantages for the colonists. The Wool Act of 1699 stated that none of the colonies could sell or produce wool, the Hat Act of 1732, made the British the primary manufacturers and sellers of hats. The markets were "Glutted", there was too much supply and too little demand, which led to the loss of money, for tobacco manufacturers. The Iron Act of 1750, declared that Iron was to be sold and produced, only by the British. For example, the Molasses Act of 1733 was not enforced, since the British customs service was understaffed and open to bribery. The term given to this lack of enforcement was "Salutary Neglect" because it is believed, that the English indulgence was actually prosperous. To expand the mercantilist policy, the British implemented restrictions on colonial manufacturing and trade. This proved very prosperous, because America produced vast amounts of timber, and now it could be put to use. In addition the colonists experienced the advantage of having the strongest army in the world, on their side, Britain provided the colonist with military protection from France and Spain. The producers of indigo, rice, and naval products experienced the strengths of the imperial system because there was such a high demand for their products, they could raise the prices of their products. Another weakness, primarily effecting the aristocracy, was the foreign luxuries, that came via Britain, making them a great deal more expensive. The disadvantages included the restriction of production, which forced the colonists to buy from the English, at an even more expensive cost. In addition, the tobacco farmers suffered. tain; consequently they were forced to move to the new world.
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