US History Exploration and Colonization Overview

Pequot War First Serious armed conflict between the Native Americans settlers of New England. Numerous previous conflicts over property, damage to Indian fields, hunting and dishonest trade dealings. The Pequot were outgunned, a smallpox epidemic had also weakened the tribe. 1637, the Pequot leader Sassacus is captured, main village destroyed and the Pequot were finished.

The Causes of European Exploration Main cause was disease -Bubonic Plague Motivated by the prospects of trade and wealth -Trade routes that brought gold across the Sahara Desert

Rise of England as an Exploration power The rise of England as an exploration power was basically England sending colonists over to populate the Americas, and exploring their new land. They also gained power through crops, especially tobacco, because they would have them farm the tobacco then send it over to them.

Main differences of the Spanish, French and English Colonies Spanish -Gold, Glory, God -Friars aimed to convert Indians to Christianity -Children of mixed Spanish and Indian ancestry became knows as Mestizos. French -Fur Trade/ Mercantilism -Spread Christianity English -Religious Freedom -More opportunity in New World

Main Characteristics of the New England, Middle and Southern Colonies New England -Ship building economy -Focused more on Religion (Puritans, Quakers, Methodists) -Mayflower Compact -Slavery not seen or rarely seen Middle -Dutch tried to find a westward passage to the Indies -Region’s production of wheat, grain and oat -Push factors motivated people to leave their home countries -Pull factors attract people to new location Southern -Economy centered around cash crops -Dependence on Native American/African Slaves -House of Burgesses -Religion not as important

Bacon’s Rebellion A rebellion led by Nathanial Bacon in 1676 Protested against Native American raids on the frontier It was also thought to be a power play by Bacon against the Royal Governor of Virginia. Farmers did not succeed in driving Native Americans from Virginia

Headright System The Headright System was basically the system of giving free land to colonists who were willing to cross over the Atlantic Ocean to populate the colonies. Usually 1 – 100 acres of land were given out. Started in Jamestown, Virginia in 1618 This land was given to people who were willing to pay for an indentured servant’s passage overseas.

King Philip’s War 1675 Massive Indian War -Called King Phillip’s War after a chief named Metacom Every Indian village fought under its own leader War killed at least 1,000 English colonists, and 3,000 Indians -Defeated Indians lost most of their remaining lands in southern New England

House of Burgesses The House of Burgesses was the first Legislature anywhere in the English colonies. It first met on July 30, 1619, at a Church in Jamestown. There were 22 members in the legislature. It, at first, only met once a year. It’s first law was to set a minimum price on the sale of tobacco.

Joint Stock Company joint-stock company n : a company (usually unincorporated) which has the capital of its members pooled in a common fund; transferable shares represent ownership interest; shareholders are legally liable for all debts of the company Company where percentages of the company can be bought (stocks) -Run by a group of investors who were to share company’s profits and losses. Raleigh tried to colonize Roanoke twice - Small Island on North Carolina coast -English ships struggled to land supplies -Sandy, infertile soil produced scanty crops

Mercantilism Economic system popular in Colonial Era - For the wealth of the Mother Country -Colonies needed -Trade had to be kept between the colonies and mother country to be successful -Tariff’s put on foreign trade, while prices lowered on trade between colonies and mother country -Can lead to salutary neglect

Navigation Acts Set of Acts set up by Britain to keep trade between them and the colonies -To collect taxes on imported goods Only English Ships with English Sailors could trade with English Colonies -Valuable goods like tobacco and sugar would be shipped only to the mother country All colonies had to import European goods on an English Port -1600’s English merchant shipping doubled

Triangular Trade The triangular trade was the cycle of trading between Africa, Europe, and the Americas. The Americas shipped sugar, cotton and tobacco to Europe. Europe shipped textiles, rum, and manufactured goods to Africa. Africa shipped slaves to the Americas.

Salutary Neglect A side effect of Mercantilism where the Mother country looses control or interest in affairs of it’s colonies -Colonial policy -Self-rule -Stimulate Commerce Large contributing factor that led to The American Revolutionary War

Great Awakening The Great Awakening was a group of three or four periods in American history of intense religious revival. Spread by Protestant ministers, these periods included: - A huge increase in interest in religion - A huge sense of redemption for those affected - A huge rise in church attendance - The formation of new religious groups. After a generation or so, the interest slowly faded away.

Puritans and Separatists Puritans -Wanted to Purify the church of England -Believed in hard work and good acts -The Bible was the absolute truth Separatists -Began their own churches -Occupied extreme wing of the Puritanism -Severely critical of the Church of England, wanted to destroy it or separate from it -Believed they had been elected by god for salvation

Mayflower Compact The first governing document of Plymouth Colony. - Written by the colonists who came to the Americas aboard the Mayflower. - About half the were part of a group who sought freedom to practice Christianity as they chose, and not according to the will of the English. - Signed in Provincetown Harbor on November 11, 1620, by 41 of the ships more than 100 passengers.