The Early American Colonies IN Review

Causes of Colonization Europeans came to “New World” for” Religious Freedom: Escape persecution by monarchs in England, France, etc. Economic Freedom: Escape poverty in Europe. AS A BUSINESS VENTURE: Profit from trade

Mercantilism Nations gain wealth by achieving a “FAVORABLE BALANCE OF TRADE”. “FAVORABLE BALANCE OF TRADE” = SELLING MORE THAN YOU BUY! COLONIES SUPPLY RAW MATERIALS/ “MOTHER COUNTRY” SUPPLIES FINISHED PRODUCTS.

New England colonies established by puritans: “religious freedom” Plymouth, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts Bay.

Puritanism & Democracy/Free Speech Mayflower Compact. An agreement to form a crude govt. and submit to majority rule. Signed by 41 adult males. Led to adult male settlers meeting in assemblies to make laws in town meetings.

Rhode Island & Free Speech Anne Hutchinson had to leave Rhode Island. Claimed that God spoke to women as well as men Free Speech v. Religion : SPEECH LOSES IN NEW ENGLAND

Our “PURITAN LEGACY” Equality under law. Public/Free/Mandatory education. Inherent right to free speech. [Unofficial] connection between Religion and social morality. Modern day “Sin”/EXCISE taxes [liquor, gambling, etc.]. “Blue Laws” in most cities/states.

New England Colonies, 1650

The Middle Colonies

Settling the Middle Colonies

New Amsterdam Harbor, 1639 Company town run in interests of the stockholders. Religious dissenters against Dutch Reformed Church [including Quakers] were persecuted. Local assembly with limited power to make laws established after repeated protests by colonists.

Dutch Residue in New York Early 20c Dutch Revival Building in NYC. New York City seal. Names  Harlem, Brooklyn, “Da BRONX!” Architecture  gambrel roof Customs  Easter eggs, Santa Claus, waffles, bowling, sleighing, skating, kolf [golf].

Pennsylvania

William Penn Aristocratic Englishman. 1660 – attracted to the Quaker faith. Embraced Quakerism after military service. 1681  he received a grant from king to establish a colony.

Government of Pennsylvania Representative assembly elected by landowners. No tax-supported church. Freedom of worship guaranteed to all. Death penalty only for treason & murder. Compared to 200 capital crimes in New England!

Pennsylvanian Society Attracted many different people Religious misfits from other colonies. Many different ethnic groups. No provision for military defense. No restrictions on immigration. No slavery!! “Blue Laws” [sumptuary laws]  against stage plays, cards, dice, excessive hilarity, etc. A society that gave its citizens economic opportunity, civil liberty, & religious freedom!!

New Jersey — PA’s Neighbor 1664  aristocratic proprietors received. the area from the Duke of York. Many New Englanders [because of worn out soil] moved to NJ.

The Southern Colonies

The Settlement of Maryland A royal charter was granted to George Calvert, Lord Baltimore, in 1632. A proprietary colony created in 1634. Tobacco would be the main crop.

A Haven for Catholics Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 Baltimore permitted high degree of freedom of worship in order to prevent repeat of persecution of Catholics by Protestants. Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 Supported by the Catholics in MD. Guaranteed toleration to all CHRISTIANS.

English Colonization The Charter of the Virginia Company: Colony established as a BUSINESS VENTURE

Growing Political Power The House of Burgesses established in 1619 & began to assume the role of the House of Commons in England Control over finances, militia, etc. Lower House elected by all LANDOWNING MALES A Council appointed by royal governor. Functions like House of Lords.

Early Colonial Tobacco 1618 — Virginia produces 20,000 pounds of tobacco. 1622 —Virginia produces 60,000 pounds of tobacco. 1627 — Virginia produces 500,000 pounds of tobacco. 1629 — Virginia produces 1,500,000 pounds of tobacco.

Indentured Servitude Headright System Indentured Contract, 1746

Virginia: “Child of Tobacco” Tobacco’s effect on Virginia’s economy: Vital role in putting VA on a firm economic footing. Chained VA’s economy to a single crop. Tobacco promoted the use of the plantation system. Need for cheap, abundant labor.

The Atlantic Slave Trade

Colonial Slavery As the number of slaves increased, southern white colonists reacted to put down perceived racial threat. Slavery transformed from economic to economic and racial institution. Early 1600s  differences between slave and servant were unclear. By the mid-1680s, black slaves outnumbered white indentured servants, and in some areas, the white population.

HOW Does “ART” reflect “LIFE” {REALITY}?