Colonial America EQ: How and why did the British establish settlements and colonies in the Americas? EQ : What were the similarities and differences between the colonial regions in North America? EQ: What factors influenced what life was really like in colonial America?

Three Regions 1.New England Colonies 2.Massachusetts Bay Colony 3.Southern Colonies

Causes of Colonization Fall of Spanish Armada - opened North Atlantic to English expansion o England was now more confident, wants power and money o England could supply and protect the colonies easily Changes in English Economy ○New World presented people with an opportunity to earn a decent living and perhaps even to become wealthy. During the time of colonization, profitable jobs were scarce in England, and land was very difficult to obtain because it was expensive. By moving to one of the colonies, an individual had a better chance to earn a living than if they remained in England.

Causes of Colonization cont. Creation of Joint Stock Company ●Stockholders (usually wealthy merchants) sought personal economic gain. Financed personally but was granted economic rights by King through charter ■Virginia Company ■Massachusetts Bay Company Religious Persecution ●Protestant Reformation o New beliefs causes religious dissent o Puritans believed the Church of England was no longer “Protestant enough” ●Puritans, Catholics, and Quakers lead to conflict with the authorities ●America was seen as a safe place by these groups