Colonial Comparisons

New England Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Mass. (Plymouth) Religious freedom or worship for Puritan Separatists (Pilgrims) William Bradford Granted right to settle northern part of Virginia – led to Mayflower Compact Colony established in 1620 with 102 settlers. Welcomed by Wampanoag Indians and Massasoit. Helped during first harsh winter. Wanted to “purify” Church of England of its secular influences. Uneasy with chances to change – more uneasy in Holland. William Bradford governed Plymouth as both a religious and political leader for over 30 years. Plymouth limited by “Bay” neighbors

New England Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Mass. (Bay Colony) Religious Freedom of worship for Puritans (but not separatists). John Winthrop Helped by financial and royal backing – established for religious and economic prosperity. 1,000s of new settlers come every year In 1630, over 1,000 settlers came on 17 ships. Not democracy, but better than England - Legal rights only given to members of the state church – dissenters and Indians are “less” than citizens. Leaders wanted to create a “Bible Commonwealth” and a “City on a hill” Funded by Massachusetts Bay Company, a joint-stock company headed by wealthy puritans. Multiple conflicts with Native groups – King Philip’s War 1675 (Massasoit’s son, Metacom) Eventually absorbed the Plymouth Colony in 1691.

New England Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Rhode Island Religious Freedom FROM Massachusetts. Roger Williams Had peaceful relations with Indians (especially the Narragansetts) Anne Hutchinson The Providence colony (original name) was established in 1636 by religious dissenters of Mass. Bay. Guaranteed freedom of worship for all religions and separation of church and state (first time). Religious tolerance made Rhode Island very attractive for business and trade. “Sewer Colony”

New England Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Connecticut Religious Freedom FROM Massachusetts. Thomas Hooker and John Haynes Less successful traders (Bay and Dutch competitors), but much better farmers. Believed in extending voting rights to all christians (male and female). The “River Colony” was created in 1636 as a haven for Puritan nobles. Political freedom led to writing of the Fundamental Orders of 1638. The most democratic government in early colonies Constant struggles with Dutch in NY and Indians in CT. The Pequot War (1637) sets a precedent.

Middle Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? New York Expansion of Trade Peter Minuet (Dutch) Since fighting disrupts business, Dutch had a very permissive and open society. Traded with powerful Iroquois tribes rather than fight them. Originally colony established by the Dutch (New Netherlands) in 1625, but then “acquired” by English in 1664. James, the Duke of York (English) English continued Dutch traditions of openness and tolerance.

Middle Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? New Jersey Expansion of Trade Lord John Berkeley (West) Indian relations were also heavily influenced by the permissive and tolerant traditions established by the Dutch (and Quakers in the South) Originally colony established by the Dutch (New Netherlands) in 1625, but then “acquired” by English in 1664. Sir George Carteret (East) Before the English, a large number of Swedish settlers established the area. Colony established as a proprietary (personal property) of Berkeley and Carteret. Religious tolerance enabled colony to become site (and profit from) of immigration from other colonies. “Breadbasket” Colony

Middle Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Pennsylvania Religious freedom for Quakers. “Holy Experiment” William Penn The most diverse colony in the New World (also the most profitable). King granted “Penn’s Woods” (1681) to Penn as repayment of loans made from his father (also named William Penn). Philadelphia, “City of Brotherly Love”, exemplifies Quaker beliefs. All settlers received 50 acres of land and had voting rights. Quakers were a religious sect that believed: All people are equal. War is immoral. Separation of Church and State Paid Indians fair prices for land purchases and trading. The most peaceful relations in the New World.

Southern Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Maryland Religious Freedom for Catholics (1632) George Calvert (father) Although established for religious freedom most people (Catholic and Protestant) arrived for financial gain from plantations. Lord Baltimore (son) Catholic “Safe Haven” Both father and son leaders among persecuted Catholic minority in England Almost constant fighting between: MD and PA MD and VA Catholics and Protestants Settlers and Indians To ensure religious freedom for Catholics, Act of Toleration (1649) for freedom of religion (for Christians only). First formal law of religious freedom.

Southern Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Virginia Profit from trade and gold. The Virginia Company of London, a joint-stock company. Eventually successful, but extreme difficulties at first: First Winter (1607) Starving Time (1609-10) First and Second Powhatan Wars The first permanent settlement in New World (1607) Captain John Smith Kept alive by “reinvestment” of people and Rolfe’s brown gold Lord De La Warr

Southern Colonies Colony Reason for founding The Founders Success? Georgia Established as “debtors colony” in 1733 (the latest colony) Not as successful in creating a second chance, but served as great place for other “undesirables” such as Scots and German immigrants not wanted in the Carolinas James Oglethorpe, explorer and social reformer. Served as a buffer by southern colonies and Spanish territory Wanted colony to become a place where prisoners could get a “second chance” Excellent military buffer between English and Spanish colonies. Continuous fighting on borders with Seminole and Cherokee Indians. Under Oglethorpe, slavery was prohibited, but once he left slavery was made legal.