What can we say about relations

between the British colonists and Native

Americans?

British Exploration of America

The three regions of the British colonies had distinct social,

economic, political, and geographical features.

England’s ambivalence towards the Native American’s led to

trade, treaties, and war.

What were the main motivational factors that

led England to explore the New World?

• 1578–Humphrey Gilbert• Receives a charter from England• Expedition to Newfoundland• Colony was a failure•Drowned at sea in 1583

What were the main motivational factors that

led England to explore the New World?

• Gilbert’s half-brother, Walter Raleigh steps in.–Main motivation is resources–Pays an expedition landing in present day

Virginia–Another group is sent in 1585 founding Roanoke

Island.• Life is very difficult• Fight with the Native Americans• Colonists do not know how to grow food and hunting• Roanoke Island colony fails.

Roanoke Island Colony resettled by John White -1585

Known as the “Lost Colony”–White’s granddaughter is the first English

child born in the United States.–White returns to England.–He comes back to Roanoke colony in 1590.• Colony is deserted.• White finds the “Croatoan” carved into a post• White remembers:–“And thus we [stopped] seeking our colony,

that was never any of them found, nor seen to this day”

Roanoke Island

Jamestown Settlement• Motivation is economic–London company forms a joint-stock to

fund and protect the company colony• Adventurers and people suffering

economically in England join the fleet.• Land on the Virginia coast in April of 1607–Name company colony Jamestown in

honor of the England’s King James.

Jamestown Settlement

Jamestown Settlement• Colony is threatened –Disease–Starvation–Poor conditions– John Smith contributes by leading the

colony and things improve. Then, he returns to England.–Starving Time–1612 John Rolfe helps• Introduces the crop tobacco

Pocahontas•Daughter of the Powhatan Chief, Wahunsonacock•Marries John Rolfe in 1612•Creates a friendlier relationship between colonists and the Powhatan tribe.•Dies in 1619•Colonists begin growing their tobacco crop on Native Americanlands causing conflict.•Colonists kill a Powhatan leader.•The Powhatan attack colonists.•Jonh Rolfe is killed.

Virginia Royal Colony• The London Company cancels their charter.• England declares Virginia a royal colony.–Ruled by a governor chosen by the king.

•Tobacco farmers establish plantations.–Headright system

•Colonists paying their own passage received 50 acres and an additional 50 acres for per additional person.

Plantation System• Indentured Servants– Agree by contract to work from 4 to 7 years

for colonists who paid their passage.– Early on, about 75% of new colonists are

indentured servants.–Many do not survive because of sickness.– 1619 some Africans arrive as indenture

servants.– Eventually, there will be more slaves on

plantations than indentured servants.

Slaves on Plantations

• Helped plantation owners become rich.• England will become involved in the slave trade.• Majority of Africans in the colonies will be enslaved by the late 1600s.

Bacon’s Rebellion• Nathanial Bacon–Wealthy planter in Virginia colony–Relative of the governor–Along with other colonists, becomes

angry about high taxes and little farm land–Attacks a peaceful Native American tribe•Makes it difficult to maintain peace with local Native Americans

–Attacks and burns Jamestown

What can we say now about relations between the

British colonists and Native Americans?

Take one minute with your group and discuss what is different about the British colonists relationship with

Native Americans from how Spanish and French colonists were with the

Native Americans.