European Colonies in America

Europeans in America

• Europe became heavily invested in settling “The New World” because of its vast wealth of natural resources including gold and silver. Most monarchies saw more potential in the New World than the old trade routes dominated by Italians, Portuguese, and Asian Powers. The 4 main countries to take an interest in the New World were Spain, Portugal, France, and England

The English In Virginia

• King James Charter– Plymouth Company and London Company allowed

to establish colonies– Both were “Joint-Stock Companies”• The 1st Corporation ever established

– Companies must:• Colonize the territory, maintain it, and govern the area• In return: King allowed all profits to flow to investors

instead of him

The English in Virginia Jamestown

• 1606: London Company sent 3 ships to Virginia (144 settlers)

• 100 made it to America • LOCATION, LOCATION,

LOCATION!!– Picked the middle of a

swamp (Malaria)– Picked the middle of

powerful Indian Confederacy (Powhatan)

The English in Virginia--Jamestown• Colony was led by John Smith• English Settlers:– Upper-middle class gentlemen not used to

manual labor• 1608: Group 2 arrives from England– By this time only 38/100 still alive

• John Smith: Savior of Jamestown (leader in 1608)– Traded goods with N.A. Pocahontas story is real

(but not Disney real)– Led raids against other natives to steal food– Imposed military rule in colony• “Those who don’t work, don’t eat”

The English in Virginia Jamestown

• John Smith: Savior of Jamestown– Became leader in 1608– Traded goods with N.A. – Pocahontas story is real (but not Disney real)– Led raids against other natives to steal food– Imposed military rule in colony• “Those who don’t work, don’t eat”

The English in Virginia Jamestown

• Tobacco:– Seeds Stolen from

Spanish merchants (John Rolfe)

– Tobacco made the colony Profitable and sustainable• Could trade tobacco for

food, etc

The English in Virginia

• Virginia was unprofitable – King revokes the charter and makes it a “Royal Colony”– Owned by the crown and pays taxes to the crown

• The Headright System: 50 acre grants to anyone who travels to Virginia and settles– 50 more acres if you complete certain tasks or

bring family (or slaves) with you– Drove many English to move to America

Virginia—establishment of a political system

• The House of Burgesses– July 1619: All

settlements in Virginia meet via representatives

– Had the power to tax, make laws with approval by Royal Governor

– Americas first taste of democracy

Did You Know:The Iroquois League has a similar system to the H.O.B. many historians believe that the colonists borrowed the idea from the Iroquois

VirginiaColonial Workers

• Indentured Servants: hired English people who worked a # of years. The employer would grant food, shelter, and passage to America.– At the end of the term Servants were supposed to

receive a small piece of land– Some indentured servants became successful,

most did not receive land and joined a growing group of unemployed in America

VirginiaColonial Workers

• 1619: Dutch Ship trades the first African slaves to Jamestown

• Indentured servants declines & slaves became popular…Why?1.Servants had rights as English, slaves did not2. Slaves could not run away like servants or N.A.3. No pay, land grants, or freedom for slaves4. If escaped, could not blend into population5. Slaves less likely to rebel

MassachusettsThe Puritans

• Anglican Church in England• Puritan: Wanted to purify the church by making

further reforms• Dissent in England meant you would be persecuted

MassachusettsPlymouth Colony

• 100 People ventured– Were blown off course

(or poor navigation) and landed at Plymouth Rock

– The Mayflower Compact - 1620

• Thanks-Giving Or Thanks-Taking?

MassachusettsBoston

• Success of Plymouth inspired other Puritans to move

• Massachusetts Bay Company:– Establish Massachusetts Colony– 1630: John Winthrop: 11 ships / 700 colonists– Established Boston, Salem, Watertown, Concord,

and many others• Great Migration: 1620-1643 – 20,000 English move to “New England”

MassachusettsPuritan Life

• Strict rules governed Massachusetts according to Puritan law– Citizens expected to attend church weekly– Pay taxes to support the church– Belief was that if one citizen turned against god,

the entire colony was lost• Government and Church were closely linked– Dissenters were expelled often establishing new

towns or colonies

MassachusettsPuritan Life

• Puritan Ethic: The belief that the soul shall be cured and purified through hard work while living. – Hard work was a requirement of salvation – hard work = salvation = wealth– Puritans were willing to do the hard work – NO Leisure time allowed– cited as part of the reason why Americans are so

industrious, hard working people…even today