by Emily Ross
Hey, history lovers!
Welcome back to "Why Wars Happened," your weekly podcast for understanding the chaotic and often dramatic events that led to war throughout history.
Grab your favorite drink, settle in, and let’s get into it!
Ok. Now the goods.
Contents
A Royalist Controversy Brews
Previously, we discussed how Parliament in England had gone to war with its own king, leading to his execution and subsequent law changes. Now, let's pick up where we left off.
Following King Charles I's execution, his son Charles II continued the fight with a loyal army, while Parliament controlled England and its colonies—much to the dismay of the fiercely loyal Virginia colonists. Governor William Berkeley of Virginia, a staunch supporter of the monarchy, declared Charles II the legitimate ruler and denounced Parliament as lawless traitors.
Berkeley and the Virginia Assembly's defiance set the stage for an intense standoff.
Parliament Flexes Its Muscle
Parliament, having just dethroned and executed a king, wasn't about to let some rowdy colonists disregard their authority. In 1650, they passed the Navigation Act, mandating that colonies could only trade with England, aiming to cut off the lucrative trade routes Virginia had with Holland and other nations. This move nearly ruined Virginia's economy, heavily reliant on international trade.
Despite this, the Virginian resolve held firm. Governor Berkeley urged the Assembly to reject Parliament's demands, framing it as a moral stand against the king's executioners. Consequently, the Assembly declared their loyalty to the king and not Parliament, and they vowed to continue foreign trade except with enemies of the king.
Defiance and Trade Wars
But how effective was Parliament at enforcing the Navigation Act from across the ocean? Not very. Trade with the Dutch continued, and even increased, while English ships struggled to compete. This backfired economically for England, prompting Parliament to escalate their strategy.
They decided to send armed soldiers to Virginia and rally local supporters to overthrow Berkeley’s government—a move underestimating the loyalty of most Virginians.
A Standoff at Jamestown
In 1652, Governor Berkeley got wind of the advancing British soldiers and rallied Virginia’s military along the River James. Just as tensions reached a boiling point, the colony strategically de-escalated the situation. Berkeley chose diplomacy over battle, agreeing to some terms offered by the English negotiators, such as free trade and self-taxation rights—a nod to the promises of equal Englishman status made to the colonists.
These concessions hinted subtly at the burgeoning principles of self-governance and consent.
Parliament's Determination and Berkeley's Departure
However, Parliament wasn't entirely pleased with the leniency and added a strict oath of allegiance to the agreement. Any colonist refusing the oath had a year to leave. Governor Berkeley heroically refused, resigning his post and emerging as a beloved figure in Virginia’s history.
Toward Self-Governance
This chapter of Virginia’s history closed with the colony left to largely govern itself, a precursor to further tensions that would erupt into open rebellion. The issues around taxation and governance here set key precedents for the ensuing American Revolution, emphasizing the importance of representation.
So, now that you know a bit more about the framework of defiance that started light embers of revolutionary thought, stick around! Next week, we'll look into how Parliament’s control of England shifted the government dynamics in Virginia.
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