General Principles of Colonial Rule:
* Monarchy as the Source of Authority: European monarchs (like the British, French, Spanish, Portuguese, and Dutch) generally viewed their colonies as extensions of their own kingdoms. The king or queen held ultimate authority, even if their rule was carried out through appointed officials.
* Appointed Governors and Officials: Rather than ruling directly, monarchs often appointed governors, administrators, and other officials to manage their colonies. These individuals carried out the monarch's wishes and enforced laws.
* Exploitation and Resource Extraction: Colonial rule was often characterized by the extraction of resources (gold, silver, timber, crops, etc.) from the colonies. This wealth flowed back to the mother country to benefit the monarchy and its elite.
* Limited Self-Governance: Some colonies, particularly later in the colonial period, were granted some degree of self-governance with elected assemblies. However, this was always subject to the ultimate authority of the king or queen and their appointed officials.
Examples of Different Colonial Systems:
* British Colonies: The British crown employed a variety of systems, including:
* Royal Colonies: Governed directly by a royal governor appointed by the monarch.
* Proprietary Colonies: Granted to individuals or companies who had broad autonomy.
* Charter Colonies: Established by royal charter with limited self-governance.
* French Colonies: French monarchs often appointed governors, but they also relied on trading companies to manage their colonies.
* Spanish Colonies: Spanish monarchs established a complex system of viceroyalties and audiencias (courts), with a hierarchical structure of officials.
Challenges to Colonial Rule:
* Resistance and Rebellion: Colonial rule often faced resistance from indigenous populations and later from colonists themselves who sought greater autonomy.
* Competing Empires: Rivalry between European empires led to conflicts and shifting power dynamics in colonies.
* Enlightenment Ideas: Enlightenment ideals of individual rights and self-governance challenged traditional monarchical authority and fueled independence movements.
Conclusion:
The way kings and queens ruled during colonial times varied widely. They relied on a combination of appointed officials, resource extraction, and sometimes limited self-governance. However, their ultimate authority was rarely challenged until the rise of independence movements in the 18th and 19th centuries.