DOMINION OF NEW ENGLAND IN THE COLONIAL ERA

England had their own troubles at that time. There were international concerns to take care and therefore the need to unite the colonies is one of the priorities in strengthening the country's defense and economy. The Dominion of New England was an effort to achieve an increased authority over the provinces.

There were signs for the impending failure of England's plan towards increasing control over the colonies. First, because of the distance of the North America from England and the failure of the crown to foresee the growth of their political system. Second, the growing self-sufficiency of the colonies led them to learn how to effectively run their own affairs. In fact even the royal officials get advice from colonial leaders when appointing local officials.

The Dominion of New England occurred in the 16th century initiated by King Charles II and continued by his brother James II. The crown facilitated this efforts by organizing the Lord of Trade which created ideas of increased regulations over the colonies who had been operating their affairs with less or sometimes without interference from England. In the beginning, Charles II planned of dismantling the existing colonial leadership in Massachusetts and assign a crown-appointed governor.

When James II succeeded the throne, he implemented a stronger version of control by appointing one governor not just to one but to all New England colonies. The first president of the Dominion was Joseph Dudley but soon was immediately replaced by Sir Edmund Andros.

Andros was respected as an administrator in England but his ways did not win the approval of the colonies. Andros could have studied first how the colonies organized themselves. He should have known that there was such a thing as "town meetings" were representatives of colonies gather and talk about their affairs and that any prospective law implemented in their colony goes through deliberation and election before it is applied.
Andros was very much hated because instead of practicing diplomacy to win them, he enforced implementation of the English laws by dismantling the assemblies and forcing the people to pay taxes to England. He underestimated the knowledge, strength, and power of the colonies at this stage.

Trading in America had grown and business was thriving. The colonies through their representatives, strongly expressed their grievances against the earlier law that was passed: The Navigation Acts. England failed to listen to them. The orchestration of the Dominion of New England caused even more strain in the relationship between the colonists and the crown.

The political system that evolved from the colonies was very strong because the colonial leaders represent the interests of the people. Unlike the governors who were appointed whose concern geared towards one direction: worry and obey the voice of the English crown.

On the other hand, some historians suggest, that as Catholics-Charles II and James II particularly centered in Massachusetts to take apart the Puritans. In fact the Dominion "project" has so much impact among the life of the Puritans : Their town meetings were dismissed, Anglicans were assigned in the place of Puritan officers, Puritan Ministers or clergy were denied financial support, and land titles issued by Puritans were revoked.

In part I believe that James II was a threat not only to the colonies but mainly to the majority of the members of the Parliament who perceived he might enforce Catholicism. So therefore he was dethroned. That event was bloodless and was called the "Glorious Revolution". After the coup success in England, Andros was put to jail in Boston. The Dominion of New England indeed was a failure. England went passive for a time. As a result, the colonies all the more grew in their political structure and autonomy.

Sources:

"The Dominion of New England; or, the Puritan Revolution". The Historic Present. 2008. Web. 24 June 2013. <http://thehistoricpresent.wordpress.com/2008/05/19/the-dominion-of-new-england-or-the-puritan-revolution/>.

"Edmund Andros". History of the USA. Web. 25 June 2013 http://www.usahistory.info/NewEngland/Edmund-Andros.html