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 1 st 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

Virginia Colonial 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

Virginia Colonial 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 not 2. Slaves could not run away like servants or N.A. 3. No pay, land grants, or freedom for slaves 4. If escaped, could not blend into population 5. Slaves less likely to rebel

Massachusetts The Puritans Anglican Church in England Puritan: Wanted to purify the church by making further reforms Dissent in England meant you would be persecuted

Massachusetts Plymouth Colony 100 People ventured – Were blown off course (or poor navigation) and landed at Plymouth Rock – The Mayflower Compact Thanks-Giving Or Thanks-Taking?

Massachusetts Boston 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: – 20,000 English move to “New England”

Massachusetts Puritan 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

Massachusetts Puritan 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