1. Some Necessary Background on Why you are in the United States and sitting in that chair today

2. Background on Early America Asiatic peoples, Chinese, Polynesians, Irish, Vikings may have come to the Americas before the Europeans. They left almost no trace of being here Asiatic peoples, Chinese, Polynesians, Irish, Vikings may have come to the Americas before the Europeans. They left almost no trace of being here Most people believe present day Native Americans came via the Bering Land Bridge (Russia to Alaska) during an ice age in search of food Most people believe present day Native Americans came via the Bering Land Bridge (Russia to Alaska) during an ice age in search of food Eventually parts of the Americas had thriving empires like the Aztec and Maya. Eventually parts of the Americas had thriving empires like the Aztec and Maya. Most of North America was inhabited by Stone Age, nomad peoples at the time the Europeans came. We used to call them “Indians”. Now we call them Native Americans Most of North America was inhabited by Stone Age, nomad peoples at the time the Europeans came. We used to call them “Indians”. Now we call them Native Americans

4. Factors that lead to the European colonization of the continent of North America 1. National/Nation State Rivalries 2. Theory of Mercantilism 3. Economic Opportunities 4. Strategic Positioning 5. Religious 6. Philosophical 7. Ecological

5. 1. National Rivalries Rise of Nation States in Europe Rise of Nation States in Europe Fierce Competition between the countries of France, Portugal, Italy, England, Spain. Who’s the biggest, the “baddest”, the richest? Fierce Competition between the countries of France, Portugal, Italy, England, Spain. Who’s the biggest, the “baddest”, the richest? War and Trade were War and Trade were how competition how competition was expressed was expressed

6. 2. Mercantilism Theory that if one country’s wealth increased, some other country’s wealth would decrease because there was only a finite amount of wealth in the world. Theory that if one country’s wealth increased, some other country’s wealth would decrease because there was only a finite amount of wealth in the world. Wealth was measured in gold and silver Wealth was measured in gold and silver To protect their gold and silver, countries had to increase their trade, armies and navies. To protect their gold and silver, countries had to increase their trade, armies and navies. Colonies were also a way to increase resources that could be used for trade/ markets and increase wealth. Colonies were also a way to increase resources that could be used for trade/ markets and increase wealth.

7. 3. Economic opportunity Colonies provide raw materials that could be made into exports to the “mother” country Colonies provide raw materials that could be made into exports to the “mother” country Colonies were a Closed market for selling finished goods of the “mother” country Colonies were a Closed market for selling finished goods of the “mother” country Colonies are an Investment opportunity Colonies are an Investment opportunity Colonies will generally make a “mother’ country rich Colonies will generally make a “mother’ country rich

8. 4. Strategic New colonies in positions near trade routes or other powers could supply raw materials, defense, soldiers, resources, safe havens in times of war New colonies in positions near trade routes or other powers could supply raw materials, defense, soldiers, resources, safe havens in times of war

9. 5. Religious Some Roman Catholics from Spain, Portugal, and France sought converts to Catholicism Some Roman Catholics from Spain, Portugal, and France sought converts to Catholicism Some Protestants fled to the New World to escape religious persecution at home. Some Protestants fled to the New World to escape religious persecution at home. Some religions saw a place they could worship freely without the interference of the state Some religions saw a place they could worship freely without the interference of the state

10. Mission Sites in Georgia 1587-1706

11. 6. Philosophical A new place A new place A new beginning A new beginning A new “Eden” A new “Eden” A place to try out the philosophies of the old country and see if they worked A place to try out the philosophies of the old country and see if they worked An outlet for the daring, adventurous element of Europe (and it did not hurt if you made a fortune or proved a theory in the doing) An outlet for the daring, adventurous element of Europe (and it did not hurt if you made a fortune or proved a theory in the doing)

12. 7. Ecological Europe is in a “little ice age” that does not end until the late 1800’s. Europe is in a “little ice age” that does not end until the late 1800’s. Some areas are starving as their climate gets worse leading to a quest for survival and an outreach for more land, food, trade Some areas are starving as their climate gets worse leading to a quest for survival and an outreach for more land, food, trade Some climates are much better leading to a population explosion in those areas and an outreach to find more land, food, trade Some climates are much better leading to a population explosion in those areas and an outreach to find more land, food, trade

13. Major European Explorers of the Americas Amerigo Vespucci from Portugal- anything familiar about his name? Amerigo Vespucci from Portugal- anything familiar about his name? Magellan from Spain-first to sail around the world Magellan from Spain-first to sail around the world Columbus from Spain- Looking for a short route to China and ran into the Americas. At least we get his name day off! Columbus from Spain- Looking for a short route to China and ran into the Americas. At least we get his name day off!

14. John Cabot Italian Italian 1497- Explores northeast North America for England. 1497- Explores northeast North America for England. “Discovers” Nova Scotia. “Discovers” Nova Scotia. Gives England its first claim to North American land. Gives England its first claim to North American land.

16. English Settling of America Sir Walter Raleigh Sir Walter Raleigh 1587- given permission to start a colony in Virginia. 1587- given permission to start a colony in Virginia. Roanoke- first colony in America. Roanoke- first colony in America. Spanish prevent supplies getting to colony. Spanish prevent supplies getting to colony. 1591- supplies arrive, but colony is gone. 1591- supplies arrive, but colony is gone. “Lost Colony” of Croaton “Lost Colony” of Croaton

17. Reminder: Not everyone came to the “New World” of their own free will Slaves Slaves Prisoners Prisoners Captured Captured or or Impressed Impressed sailors sailors

18. And Others had been here for a very long time….