Growing Colonial America

1-Colony Location Congratulations! An English Trading Company has decided to finance you and your fellow settler’s voyage to America. As the leaders of the group, your task is to determine which part of America you want to settle in and start a new colony. Look at the three regions (New England, Middle, and Southern) and determine which region will offer the best geography and climate for strong economic growth and population increase. Then determine which colony in the region you want to inhabit. Are there any special features and resources that would make certain colonies more desirable. Have several choices. To determine who gets to choose first, we will have a mini- challenge. You have 2 minutes to think about the top three things you would want to bring with you from England. To win this challenge, you will need to have th ebest reasoning as to why the location of your colony will make it be the most successful.

2- Creating the Colony Charter Each Colony’s purpose, establishment, laws, and organizing principles were set by a legal document known as a charter. It was granted by the King of England and etsbalished who was in control of the colony. Of course as one of the founders and key leader of the colony, you have the attention of the king. What kind of charter do you want and what do you think is important to include in it? Be realistic and also think about the 5 specifics you want to include that would encourage growth and prosperity.

3- Economic Focus What will be the economic focus of your colony? Pick your top two things. Be sure to support your reasoning with evidence.

4- Colony Investments Your colony is starting to grow that it has now developed both it’s own tax base and increased investment from the Royal Government back home. What are the top three investments (priorities) that the colonial government can make in order to ensure the future prosperity and health of the colony.

5- Native Contact Initially your colony had set peace arrangements with the local tribes, but the increased population has led to the loss of tribal lands and conflict with the settlers. As the leaders of the colony, your task is to investigate the source of the conflict and what can be done in a reasonable solution that can ease future conflict and yet allow for the space needed for immigrants hungry for land.

6- Labor Shortage In order for the investors and royal sponsors to make a return (profit) on the heavy upfront costs of the colonies, a reliable source of labor (both skilled and unskilled workers) had to be brought to America in order to get the work done. Agricultural cash crops in particular like tobacco (later it becamerice and cotton) required many workers. The more workers there are, means more products are created in order to sell back in England and the rest of Europe. Your job is to figure out how to overcome the labor challenges below: How do you get more workers to immigrate to your colony? How would poor workers in Europe pay for the expensive voyage over here, there housing and food until the products go to market? What workers are willing to work for such low wages in what is a risky outcome for all involved?

7- The Crown’s Interference Naturally over time, there was bound to be some points of difference and conflict between the growing colonies and the mother country. What do you think were the two biggest underlying reasons for conflict? As the colonial leaders, what do you think is the best solution to each of these challenges that will best ensure the future growth of your colony?