Download presentation
Presentation is loading. Please wait.
1
Early English Settlements
Jamestown & Plymouth
2
Why Now? England is ready for colonies
After 1588, naval power recognized Increasing population + economic depression Inc. desire for economic opportunity in Americas Development of joint-stock companies
3
Jamestown (1607) James I charters VA Company to establish Jamestown
Lots of issues Chose swampy area Class issues Upper class gentlemen refuse to work Gold-seeking adventurers John Smith – Strong mil. Leadership John Rolfe – est. tobacco industry Leads to financial prosperity BUT needs labor Not enough indentured servants coming in, so after 1619, mix of voluntary (indentured servants) and involuntary (slave) labor VA Company goes bankrupt in 1624 VA becomes 1st royal colony
4
Plymouth (1620) PURITANS Some become separatists & leave England
Wanted to “purify” Anglican church of Catholic influences; simplify services Infl. By Calvin (predestination) James I saw them as a threat Some become separatists & leave England Go to Netherlands (Holland) Then decide to go to Americas 1620 – lv. On board Mayflower Under contract with VA Company Fewer than ½ were Puritans (rest had economic motives) Capt Miles Standish – military leadership Gov. Wm. Bradford – political leadership Fish, furs, & timber primary economic commodities
5
Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629)
Under Charles I, persecution of Puritans 1629 new group of Puritans get new charter for Massachusetts Bay Company 1630 ~1000 led by J. Winthrop show up & create new colony (Boston, et al) Pilgrims vs. Puritans Civil War in England pushes about 15,000 more to Mass. Bay Called the “Great Migration”
6
Early Politics Mayflower Compact House of Burgesses (1619)
Justify gov’t since they landed in wrong spot Majority rule (sort of) Written doc. That lays outs powers and duties of gov’t House of Burgesses (1619) Attempt to make colonists feel like they have the same rights that they had in England 1st representative assembly in New World Mass. Bay elections Male Church members had right to elect leaders OVERALL Very limited Col. Governors had huge powers Limited to land owners, males
Similar presentations
© 2025 SlidePlayer.com. Inc.
All rights reserved.