Lecture 2: Colonization and Settlement in the New World

Overview

• Recap of Lecture 1: Incentives for colonization
• Focus on English, French, Dutch settlements
• Comparison of European interactions with indigenous cultures
• Differences in control over colonies (e.g., New Spain vs. English autonomy)

European Interactions and Control

• New Spain had tighter control over colonies compared to English
  • English allowed more autonomy, self-government
• Long-term impact on colony development and future events (e.g., American Revolution)

Interactions with Indigenous Cultures

• Spanish: More mixing with indigenous populations
• English: Less intermixing, more separation
  • Trade interactions, but less intermarriage

The Enclosure Movement

• Began in the 12th century, rapid from 1450 to 1640
• Agricultural revolution led to increased cultivation
  • New farming methods, crop rotation
  • More land used for sheep, wool trade
• Loss of common land rights for peasants
• Resulted in landless peasants, social tensions
• New World offered opportunities for excess population

Growth of Mercantilism

• Key role in colonization and mother-country relations
• Colonies provide raw materials, market for finished goods
• Goal: Accumulate wealth, export more than import
• Finite resources, competition among European states
• Supported by stronger nation-states and monarchs

Joint Stock Companies and Trade

• Facilitated overseas ventures, spread risk
• Allowed investment in colonization
• Virginia Company and Jamestown

Religious Motivations

• Pilgrims and Puritans: Not entirely about religious toleration
  • Economic opportunities also a major incentive
• Spanish: Catholic missions, conversion efforts
• Protestant Reformation and Martin Luther
  • Criticism of Catholic Church, indulgences
  • 95 Theses, spread via printing press

John Calvin and Calvinism

• Predestination: Elect vs. damned
• TULIP acronym:
  • Total Depravity
  • Unconditional Election
  • Limited Atonement
  • Irresistible Grace
  • Perseverance of the Saints
• Influence on Puritan society in Massachusetts

English Reformation

• Political and religious changes
• Henry VIII, Church of England
• Bloody Mary, Queen Elizabeth's religious compromises
• Development of Puritan separatism

French Colonization

• Late arrival in the New World
• Cartier and Verrazzano explorations
• Focus on fur trade, Jesuit missions
• Limited growth due to climate, laws favoring Catholics

Dutch Colonization

• Emerged as financial power post-independence
• New Netherlands, New Amsterdam (New York)
• Mixed populations, religious tolerance
• Seized by English, renamed New York

English Colonization

• Settler colonies, families established
• Differences in financing (joint stock companies)
• Autonomy, self-government
• Tensions with mercantile policies

Destruction of the Spanish Armada

• Paved way for English emergence in the New World

The Lost Colony of Roanoke

• First English settlement attempt
• Several theories of disappearance
• Set precedent for unprepared English colonies

Key Takeaways

• Impact of different colonization strategies on future nations
• Long-term effects of autonomy and self-governance in English colonies
• Continued themes of indigenous-European interactions and conflicts