Student Question
What was the impact of the Glorious Revolution on the Dominion of New England?
Quick answer:
The Glorious Revolution ended the Dominion of New England due to abuses by Sir Edmund Andros, restoring former colonial governments. However, rather than reducing royal control, it intensified it. The Navigation Act of 1696 enforced stricter adherence to the Navigation Acts, introduced Writs of Assistance, and shifted violations to Admiralty Courts. Additionally, the creation of the Lords of Plantations and Trade sought to limit colonial manufacturing, aligning with British economic interests.
The above answer is correct in that the Glorious Revolution did end the Dominion of New England, but incorrect in stating that it led to significant reduction of royal control over the colonies. Quite the opposite was true.
James II had created the Dominion to govern all colonies north of New Jersey. It was ended with the Glorious Revolution because Sir Edmond Andros had abused his authority with abandon. Andros was arrested when word of the Revolution reached Massachusetts, and the colony reverted to its former government, as did other colonies which had been under the Dominion.
Rather than loosen royal control, however, it intensified. The Navigation Act of 1696 required the colonists to enforce all the Navigation Acts and also provided for the issuance of Writs of Assistance to search unspecified properties for violation of the Acts. The Act further provided that all cases of violation of the Navigation Acts would be tried in Courts of Admiralty rather than the Colonial courts, where acquittal was all but guaranteed. Also in 1696, King William created the Lords of Plantations and Trade which investigated violations of the Navigation Acts and implemented methods to prevent manufacturing in the colonies which would conflict with British manufacturing interests.
So the safest answer is the end of the Dominion ended some of the abuses of Sir Edmund Andros; but the colonies only substituted one difficult governmental system for another.
Get Ahead with eNotes
Start your 48-hour free trial to access everything you need to rise to the top of the class. Enjoy expert answers and study guides ad-free and take your learning to the next level.
Already a member? Log in here.