What was a significant change in colonial governance with the implementation of the Dominion of New England?

The implementation of the Dominion of New England marked a significant shift towards increased royal control over the American colonies. This administrative structure, established in 1686 by King James II, aimed to centralize authority and streamline the governance of the New England colonies. By consolidating several colonies into a single entity under a royal governor, Sir Edmund Andros, the British crown sought to diminish the independence and self-governance that the colonies had previously enjoyed.

The Dominion abolished existing colonial charters, which had granted a measure of self-rule, thereby enforcing direct rule from London. This move was in line with the broader strategy of the monarchy to clamp down on what it saw as colonial disobedience and to enhance its ability to enforce English laws and regulations. The governance structure was also a way to more effectively collect taxes and manage trade, which were priorities for the crown.

In essence, the establishment of the Dominion of New England was a clear reflection of an effort to reinforce royal authority at the expense of localized control, leading to significant political tensions that would resonate through the colonial period.