1. THE COLONIES: AN OVERVIEW The who, what, where, when, why and the how of it all

2. What is a colony?
A settlement by a group of people in a distant region/land.
Governed by their home country
The colony has some decision making power. Usually, the home country makes important decisions……government & economy.

3. Colonial Empire
A group of colonies controlled by the same home country.
Ex. Spain - much of Central and South America (looking for gold)
France - Canada and North America (animal pelts etc.)
England - Atlantic coast of N.A.

4. Push Factors Economic problems Hunger & Poverty Homelessness Freedoms
Overcrowded cities
Loss of farm lands
Lack of opportunity

5. Pull Factors
Reports of thick forests w/ game, streams w/fish, rich soil and plenty of land.
Economic opportunity..pay off debts etc….
Slavery

6. When??? Virginia - 1587 Roanoke Island…Croatoan… The Lost colony
Jamestown, Virginia
Plymouth, Massachusetts -
The Pilgrims

7. WHY?
King wants land & $
Joint stock companies create charter colonies (Jamestown)

8. Why cont’d. Religious freedom/Pilgrims/Puritans Protestant Reformation
Anglican Church/Church of England

9. Economic Responsibilities to England
Colonies are meant to serve England

10. Or better yet….Triangular Trade

11. Economic Responsibilities to Spain
The Columbian Exchange

12. Farms & Cities Most were farmers
Colonial cities were small but important as trade centers
Cities brought in goods the colony needed and sold what the colony produced
Mills, factories & Iron making in cities to produce for goods/trade
Artisans - make shoes, furniture, silverware, tools etc.
Cities near water for transportation
Taverns - hotel/restaurant/bar & source of news etc.

13. Colonial Life Family..most important…14 people? Source of labor
Death rate high
Marry 2 or 3 times
Women had little rights and rarely owned property

14. Indentured Servant GET Trip paid to America Food/lodging
Possibly learn a trade
Free at end of contract
Give
Signed 7-10 year contract
•Work to pay off trip etc.

15. Indentured Servant Couldn’t pay their way to the New World
Some Africans & many poor Europeans
Look for a way to improve their life
Could be taken advantage of
Many did not survive

16. Colonial Government King
Parliament – The law making group for England and it’s colonies.

17. Government continued
Governor - picked by King to run colony on behalf of King
Colonial Assemblies …became powerful and made up of colonists
City/Local
Who could vote?
White men over 21 that owned property!!!

18. Salutary Neglect
In the early 1700’s England was involved in wars & conflicts
Until 1763 England didn’t enforce trade regulations….ignored as long as money was being made
Colonies start to feel secure and on their own…independent?
Each colony starts to act on it’s own

19. Slavery

20. Slavery Property - treated that way too! For life
Bought/sold at anytime/reason
Punishment & Survival