Overview
This lecture covers the development of the 13 British colonies in North America from 1607 to 1754, focusing on settlement patterns, colonial society, labor systems, governance, and early conflicts that shaped the colonies.
Establishment and Growth of the 13 Colonies
- From 1607 to 1754, the British established 13 colonies along the Atlantic coast.
- Colonies evolved from struggling settlements to permanent farms, plantations, towns, and cities.
- Colonial society was shaped by European migration, diverse settlers, competition, and interactions with Native Americans.
- The British viewed Native Americans as both obstacles and resources for colonial expansion.
Colonial Society and Labor Systems
- Demand for agricultural labor led to reliance on indentured servants and later, enslaved Africans via the Atlantic slave trade.
- Indentured servitude involved a fixed term of labor in exchange for passage to America, eventually shifting to race-based chattel slavery.
- Slavery became central in southern colonies with plantation economies producing tobacco, rice, and indigo.
Governance and Colonial Charters
- Three types of colonies: corporate (joint-stock companies), royal (directly ruled by the crown), and proprietary (owned by individuals granted land).
- Colonies developed forms of self-government, including the House of Burgesses in Virginia and representative assemblies.
- Only white male property owners typically had political rights.
Religious Motivations and Settlements
- Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies were founded for religious freedom by separatists (Pilgrims) and Puritans.
- Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire were established by dissenters seeking greater religious tolerance or political autonomy.
- The Act of Toleration in Maryland granted religious freedom to Christians but excluded non-Christians.
Economic Policies and Mercantilism
- Mercantilism guided British colonial policy; colonies existed to benefit the mother country economically.
- Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade to English ships and markets, causing colonial resentment and smuggling.
- The Dominion of New England was an attempt to tighten royal control but was short-lived.
Regional Differences and Conflicts
- Southern colonies (e.g., South Carolina) relied heavily on plantation agriculture and slavery.
- Middle colonies (e.g., Pennsylvania) promoted religious tolerance and diverse economies.
- New England faced internal dissent and frequent conflict with Native Americans (e.g., King Philip's War).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Indentured Servant — A laborer under contract to work for a specified time in exchange for passage to America.
- Chattel Slavery — A system where people are treated as personal property to be bought, sold, and inherited.
- Mercantilism — Economic policy aiming for colonies to provide raw materials and enrich the mother country.
- Navigation Acts — British laws restricting colonial trade to England and English ships.
- House of Burgesses — The first representative assembly in colonial America (Virginia).
- Mayflower Compact — An early agreement for self-government by Plymouth settlers.
- Proprietary Colony — A colony owned by individuals granted land by the monarch.
- Act of Toleration — Maryland law granting religious freedom to all Christians.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review homework questions comparing English, Spanish, and French colonial models.
- Prepare examples of political and economic causes for Jamestown's struggles.
- Study the impact of mercantilism and the Navigation Acts on colonial society.
- Read about Bacon’s Rebellion and regional differences in slavery.