British Colonies

Introduction

The English established thirteen settlements/colonies in North America in the sixteenth, seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. They gained independence in 1783 and became the United States of America.

The 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries with their political and religious upheavals were pivotal to the formation of the United Kingdom. In 1660, Charles II of England was declared king in Ireland. During the reign of James I (1680s), Ireland became “re-Catholicized,” fueling fears of Catholic rebellion and papish plots and anti-Irish sentiment in mainland Britain. Catholic bishops and schools became outlawed, as they were in Scotland. Catholics were double taxed, though the late 1700s did see the loosening of restrictions on Catholics and Dissenters in the United Kingdom (Jack, p.101-103).

From the early 1700s, an evangelical revival began in England resulting in the rise of Methodism and voluntary mission societies. John Wesley, an Anglican clergyman, became highly critical of the established church. Wesley emphasized the power of the Holy Spirit and de-emphasized doctrinal conformity. His group formally separated from the Church of England in 1795. Methodism had a considerable impact in England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, leading to a “Great Awakening” in the latter. It also spread worldwide through the British Empire, particularly to America. British colonization continued through the 18th century, with English, Irish, Scottish, and Welsh people involved in the process, including the military defense of British territory and interests.

Georgia British Colony

Georgia was the last of the original 13 colonies to be settled by theBritish. The idea of a new colony south of South Carolina had been discussed in London during the late 1720s, and it eventually came to fruition due to the happy confluence of philanthropic ideals and imperial concerns. Leading British parliamentarians had become concerned about the plight of the poor, and those serving on the Parliamentary Gaols Committee saw at firsthand the treatment of criminals, ...