Who was appointed to govern the Dominion of New England?

Sir Edmund Andros was appointed to govern the Dominion of New England, which was created in 1686 by merging several northern colonies under a single colonial administration. The purpose of this consolidation was to strengthen the control of the Crown and streamline the governance of multiple colonies, which were seen as difficult to manage individually. Andros served as the royal governor and enforced the navigation laws, suppressed local assemblies, and took actions that alienated many colonists, leading to significant unrest.

Understanding the role of Andros provides insight into the tensions between England and its colonies during this period, as his authoritarian governance style reflected the broader struggles over colonial autonomy and the pushback against perceived overreach by the British Crown. This ultimately contributed to the growing desire for independence among the colonies, setting the stage for future events leading to the American Revolution.