Chapter 17 The Diversity of American Colonial Societies By: Kayla Brennan

Colombian Exchange It was the transfer of people, animals, plants, agriculture, and diseases between the Old and New Worlds. Diseases from the Old World wiped out the majority of the native population. Spain and Portugal, England, and France became areas of cultural and social experimentation.

Demographic Changes Death rates in the New World were very high due to lack of immunity. New World staple crops impacted European, Asian, and African diet and agriculture. Livestock were brought to the New World and therefore altered the land and jobs of the natives.

Spanish Colony Spain and Portugal expanded into the New World rapidly. The Spanish and Portuguese set up there societies based on cultures and traditions of their own lands. Amerindian culture and practices continued. African slave trade began.

State Spanish Council of the Indies supervised the Spanish Colony. There were many areas controlled by viceroys. Taxes were in gold and silver. Portuguese They set up administrative responsibilities. They eventually had a viceroy in Brazil. Sugar plantations and gold mines= intrusive colonial bureaucracy.

Church Spanish And Portuguese Wanted to convert Amerindians to Christianity Began using torture, executions, and destruction of native manuscripts Bartolome de Las Casas protested the natives’ treatment Amerindian Christianity came out which was the blend of their beliefs with Catholic rituals associated with the Virgin Mary Churches made improvements to intellectual life – The printing press – Universities – Secondary schools

Economy Spanish Silver mines dominated the economy Encomienda- forced labor on the Amerindians Low Amerindian populations led to free wage labor Became a Spanish speaking Catholic colonial society Increased trade Portuguese Sugar plantations dominated the economy in Brazil Worked by Amerindian slaves at first, but changed to African slaves This connected them commercial links around the world

Society Spanish and Portuguese Populations dominated by Africans, Amerindians, and creoles Creoles were whites born in the Americas Indigenous elite became closer to Spanish authorities to help them survive Afro-Iberian slaves had similar roots of Spain and Portugal African slaves had different languages, beliefs, and practices Black populations grew and a lot of them bought their freedom

English Colony Multiple failed attempts to settle in the New World Jamestown brought 144 settlers to VA but 80% died The survivors stayed and moved inland They discovered tobacco and this brought more settlers. Immigrants that could not afford the trip were brought as indentured servants.

Government They were ruled under the House of Burgesses and a governor and his council They had major fur trade Altered the environment and Amerindian agriculture

The Carolinas They used slavery and plantations African slaves brought new agricultural techniques South Carolina had a hierarchy type society – The rich at the top – Small farmers, cattlemen, artisans, merchants, and fur traders were middle class – Indigenous people and slaves were at the bottom

New England Pilgrims wanted to break off of the England church so they emigrated to the Americas. Settled in Plymouth and dispersed according to their beliefs. Puritans wanted to purify the Church of England. They set up Massachusetts Bay Colony and absorbed Plymouth. Little diversity, no agriculture, few slaves Shipped and provided commercial services

The Middle Atlantic Region English speaking societies Dutch settle on Manhattan Islands and Quakers settle Pennsylvania New York: large commercial and shipping center Pennsylvania: grain-exporting colony Traded with Iroquois Confederacy

French Colony Interested in beaver and other animals’ furs Made allies with Huron and Algonquin Indians Couveurs de bois- were sent to live among native tribes and master their customs Deadly wars between Algonquin and Iroquois Firearms spread and mixed in some areas with horses

French Jesuits converted natives to Christianity Native religions persisted so they used money to build schools, hospitals, and churches. Eventually they lost Canada to the English and lost Louisiana to Spanish.

Summary All of the colonies applied their knowledge from the Old World to the transforming of the New World. They all permanently altered the native peoples. They brought African Americans to the New World creating diverse societies. They also brought silver, sugar plantations, and fur trade into the commercial networks of that time period.