Leisler's Rebellion was an uprising in late 17th century colonial New York, in which militia captain Jacob Leisler seized control of lower New York from 1689 to 1691. The uprising, which occurred in the midst of Britain's "Glorious Revolution," reflected colonial resentment against the policies of King James II. Royal authority was restored in 1691 by British troops sent by James' successor, William III. A map of the Province of New York. ... Jacob Leisler (? 1640 - May 16, 1691) was a German-born American colonist. ... Events Louis XIV of France passed the Code Noir, allowing the full use of slaves in the French colonies. ... Events March 5 - French troops under Marshal Louis-Francois de Boufflers besiege the Spanish-held town of Mons March 20 - Leislers Rebellion - New governor arrives in New York - Jacob Leisler surrenders after standoff of several hours March 29 - Siege of Mons ends to the city’s surrender May 6... The Revolution of 1688, commonly known as the Glorious Revolution, was the overthrow of James II of England in 1688 by a union of Parliamentarians and the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau (William of Orange). ... James II of England (also known as James VII of Scotland; 14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) became King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland on 6 February 1685, and Duke of Normandy on 31 December 1660. ... William III of England (The Hague, 14 November 1650 – Kensington Palace, 8 March 1702; also known as William II of Scotland and William III of Orange) was a Dutch aristocrat and a Protestant Prince of Orange from his birth, Stadtholder of the main provinces of the Dutch Republic from 28...

Background

After the accession of James II to the throne of England in 1685, New York had become a royal colony. He decreed the formation of the Dominion of New England the following year, and in 1687 added the colonies of New York and New Jersey, designating New York City as the capital. This unilateral union was highly unpopular among the colonists. James II of England (also known as James VII of Scotland; 14 October 1633 – 16 September 1701) became King of England, King of Scots, and King of Ireland on 6 February 1685, and Duke of Normandy on 31 December 1660. ... This is a list of British monarchs, that is, the monarchs on the thrones of some of the various kingdoms that have existed on, or incorporated, the island of Great Britain, namely: England (united with Wales from 1536) up to 1707; Scotland up to 1707; The Kingdom of Great Britain... Events February 6 - James Stuart, Duke of York becomes King James II of England and Ireland and King James VII of Scotland. ... The Dominion of New England was the name of a short-lived administrative union of English colonies in the New England region of North America. ... Events March 19 - The men under explorer Robert Cavelier de La Salle murder him while searching for the mouth of the Mississippi River. ... The Province of New Jersey was an English colony that existed within the boundaries of the current U.S. state of New Jersey prior to the American Revolution. ... New York, New York and NYC redirect here. ... Not to be confused with capitol. ...

In late 1688, James II was deposed for his Catholicism in the Glorious Revolution. The event introduced the principle that the people could replace a ruler they deemed unsuitable; uprisings against royal governors sprouted throughout the colonies. James' newly appointed governor of New England, Edmund Andros, was already unpopular due to his stricter enforcement of the Navigation Acts and other restrictions on colonists. He attempted to flee, dressed as a woman, but was caught wearing boots, and sent back to England. // Events A high-powered conspiracy of notables, the Immortal Seven, invite William and Mary to depose James II of England. ... “Catholic Church” redirects here. ... The Revolution of 1688, commonly known as the Glorious Revolution, was the overthrow of James II of England in 1688 by a union of Parliamentarians and the Dutch stadtholder William III of Orange-Nassau (William of Orange). ... Sir Edmund Andros Sir Edmund Andros (December 6, 1637 - February 24, 1714), was an early colonial governor in North America, and head of the short-lived Dominion of New England. ... Wikisource has original text related to this article: Navigation Acts The English Navigation Acts were a series of laws which, beginning in 1651, restricted the use of foreign shipping in the trade of England (later Great Britain and its colonies). ...

The rebellion and royal response

Amidst this turmoil, Jacob Leisler (b. 1640 in Frankfurt-am-Main), a well-born Calvinist immigrant merchant turned militia captain, deposed Lieutenant Governor Francis Nicholson in 1689. The coup was ostensibly intended to hold New York for William III and Mary II. Jacob Leisler (? 1640 - May 16, 1691) was a German-born American colonist. ... Events December 1 - Portugal regains its independence from Spain and João IV of Portugal becomes king. ... Frankfurt am Main [ˈfraŋkfʊrt] is the largest city in the German state of Hesse and the fifth largest city in Germany. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Archbishop of Canterbury Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      Calvinism is a theological... Portrait thought to be Nicholson Sir Francis Nicholson (1655-1728) was a British military officer and was colonial governor or acting governor of New York, Virginia, Maryland, Nova Scotia, and South Carolina. ... William III Mary II The phrase William and Mary usually refers to the joint sovereignty over the Kingdom of England and the Kingdom of Scotland of King William III and his wife Queen Mary II. Their joint reign began in February, 1689, when they were called to the throne by...

Backed by Dutch laborers and artisans who resented the English ruling elite, Leisler enacted a government of direct popular representation. By some counts, he also moved to redistribute wealth to the poor. Both policies earned him the scorn of New York's predominantly Anglican merchant and aristocratic classes. The Church of England logo since 1998 The Church of England is the officially established Christian church[1] in England, and acts as the mother and senior branch of the worldwide Anglican Communion, as well as a founding member of the Porvoo Communion. ...

The new king, William III, dispatched a new governor in 1691. After Leisler refused to cede authority to a Major Ingoldsby, English troops entered the city and armed conflict ensued. Upon Sloughter's arrival, the militia under Leisler surrendered their position inside the fort and Leisler and eleven others were arrested for treason. He was tried and found guilty, and he and his son-in-law Jacob Milborne were hanged, and then beheaded while still alive.May 16. William III of England (The Hague, 14 November 1650 – Kensington Palace, 8 March 1702; also known as William II of Scotland and William III of Orange) was a Dutch aristocrat and a Protestant Prince of Orange from his birth, Stadtholder of the main provinces of the Dutch Republic from 28... This article does not cite any references or sources. ... May 16 is the 136th day of the year (137th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ...

After a year had passed, the others arrested were released. In 1695, an appeal by Leisler's family to the Royal apparatus in England resulted in all charges being reversed. The family's property was ordered restored. Those in New York who orchestrated Leisler's demise, refused to follow these instructions. The pro and anti-Leisler factions would remain in contention at the provincial level until the arrival of Governor Robert Hunter in 1710, at which time the factional disputes had died down.

Some believe these transactions sparked the beginning of America's two-party political system.

Significance

The rebellion established a core of rebellious sentiment against British domination, and reinforced the sentiment that the colonies were subject to British rule by their free will, not nature. At the same time, the presence of British soldiers on colonial soil and the reinvigorated enforcement of the heretofore neglected Navigation Acts led to increased tension between colonists and British forces. Wikisource has original text related to this article: Navigation Acts The English Navigation Acts were a series of laws which, beginning in 1651, restricted the use of foreign shipping in the trade of England (later Great Britain and its colonies). ...

References

• Max Kade German-American Research Institute: The Papers of Jacob Leisler, offering an overview of Leisler's significance
• New York University: The Jacob Leisler Papers Homepage, virtual archive of Leisler-related papers as well as information about NYU's physical documentary holdings
• McCormick, Charles H. Leisler's Rebellion (Outstanding Studies in Early American History). Garland, 1989. (ISBN 0-8240-6190-X)
• Reich, Jerome R. Leisler's Rebellion: A Study of Democracy in New York, 1664-1720. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1953. (OCLC 476516
• Schnurmann, Claudia. Representative Atlantic Entrepreneur: Jacob Leisler, 1640-1691 in Postma, Johannes and Enthoven, Victor, eds. Riches from Atlantic Commerce: Dutch Transatlantic Trade and Shipping, 1585-1817. Leiden: Brill, 2003. (ISBN 90-04-12562-0)