means of offense and defense against their common foes-the French and the Indians. Delegates from five colonies-New York, Massachusetts, Plymouth, Connecticut, and Maryland-met in May, 1690, and entered into an agreement to raise troops for the common defense. This was the first American Congress. The allied colonies made an invasion of Canada which was a failure.

PENN'S PLAN OF UNION

In 1697 William Penn proposed the establishment of a congress of all the colonies for mutual consultation and coöperation. This congress, to be composed of two delegates from each colony, was to meet regularly once in two years, and oftener should public necessity require, to confer in regard to all matters pertaining to the general welfare. Although the plan was not adopted, its suggestion shows that the idea of union was present in the minds of the ablest and closest students of colonial affairs. The colonists as a whole, however, had not awakened to the possibilities of united action.

THE ALBANY CONVENTION-1754

The next step of importance toward union was object taken at Albany in 1754. At the request of the of the Lords Commissioners for Trade a convention of the colonists was held at Albany for the twofold purpose of forming a closer alliance with the Six Na

Convention.

Principal

of

Franklin's

Plan of
Union.

tions, and of taking steps to resist the increasing power of the French. Seven of the thirteen colonies. -Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Pennsylvania, and Maryland-sent delegates. The convention decided that a union was necessary for the preservation of the colonies, and appointed a committee, consisting of one delegate from each colony represented, requesting that they draw up a plan of union. The venerable Benjamin Franklin was a member of this committee, and a plan of union proposed by him was recommended by the committee and approved by the convention.

This plan, commonly called "Franklin's Plan of Features Union," provided for a President General, to be appointed by the Crown, who was to have an absolute veto power over all acts of the council; and a Grand Council of delegates to be chosen every three years by the colonial assemblies. This council was to have charge of all affairs which concerned the colonies as a whole, and power to levy taxes to provide for the common defense.

The Plan

Rejected.

The plan was submitted to the several colonial legislatures, but was rejected by all because it gave too much power to the crown. Each colony was unwilling to lose its individuality and give up the right of regulating its own taxes. The plan was also disapproved by the crown because it gave too much power to the colonies.

Although the pressure of a common danger was not sufficiently strong to compel a union, still the

discussion of the question of union led the colonists to consider seriously the advantage of acting together in matters affecting all of them.

THE FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR (1754-1763)

Union.

During the French and Indian War immediately Help following the Albany Convention the colonies acted Toward unitedly in repelling their long-standing enemythe French. The men from the various colonies fought side by side, shared the hardships of warfare, became better acquainted with each other, and learned that although they differed in many respects, yet there were many things in which they had a common interest.

To the Pupil:

QUESTIONS

1. Contrast the motives of the people who settled the different colonies.

2. What conditions led the colonists to feel the need of united effort?

3. How did the difference in the aims of settlement enable the colonists to gain experience in representative government?

4. Define a town; a township.

5. What is a democracy?

6. Show how your high school could be organized into a

representative government.

7. Where did the colonists get their ideas of government?
8. Compare each of the three distinctive forms of govern-
ment in the colonies.

9. Did England expect the colonists to remain under her
control? What mistakes were made in the forms

of government allowed to develop in the different colonies?

10. What was Franklin's Plan of Union? Why did it fail? 11. What were the causes and the results of the Albany Convention?

12. Show the importance of each step toward union discussed in this chapter, giving special attention to the conditions that led the colonist to realize that "in union there is strength."

13. Why was the New England Town Meeting called the "Training School in Democracy"?

Things to Do:

1. Imagine that you are a colonist living in Virginia or in one of the New England colonies. Write a letter to a friend in England expressing your point of view in regard to restrictions, taxes, and acts of the King.

2. As a colonist give a three-minute talk expressing your opinion in proposing a new type of government.

3. Arrange in convincing form the evidence that the colonists were in need of a closer union.

4. Organize your class into a House of Burgesses or into a New England Town Meeting and discuss some of the problems confronting that body.

CHAPTER FOUR

PERIOD OF ENGLISH INTERFERENCE

During this period the idea of nationality had its birth through the stress of external influences which compelled united action in order that the colonies might obtain their rights and liberties.

English

It was stated explicitly in all the colonial char- Rights ters and grants that the English colonists in Amer- of ica should possess all the rights and privileges en- Colonists joyed by native-born Englishmen at home, and it in was in consequence of the refusal of the English America. government to allow the colonists to enjoy these rights that the American Revolution was brought about. In order to understand clearly the causes of the Revolution it is necessary to look far back in English history to learn what rights were claimed by the colonists, and to see the gradual evolution by which these rights were obtained by the English people.

Conqueror.

Previous to the time of the conquest of England William I, by the Normans most of the land was in the hands The of the Church and a few men who were called "lords Feudalof the manor" because they owned large manors or ism. estates. The people living on these manors were subject to their lord, were obliged to render him certain services in labor, and were not allowed to