Major Themes: Different motives/methods of European colonization in the Americas
European Colonial Strategies
Spanish Colonization
Extracted wealth through cash crops and mining gold/silver
Subjugated Native populations and attempted religious conversion
Introduced caste system based on racial ancestry
French Colonization
Focused on fur and fish trade, not conquest
Few French settlers, established trading settlements
Created alliances through marriages with Native Americans
Cultural exchange and mutual benefits with tribes like the Ojibway
Dutch Colonization
Established fur trade center on Hudson River (present-day NY)
Economically driven, little interest in religious conversion
Created New Amsterdam as a trade hub
British Colonization
Motives
Economic opportunities due to British economic issues (inflation, wars)
Religious freedom and better living conditions
Chesapeake Region
Founded Jamestown (1607) as profit-seeking venture
Financed through joint-stock companies
Early struggles: disease, famine, cannibalism
Tobacco cultivation by John Rolfe turned fortunes
Labor initially by indentured servants, shifted more to African slavery post-Bacon’s Rebellion
New England Colonies
Settled by Pilgrims in 1620 for religious reasons
Family-based farming economy
Early difficulties similar to Southern colonies
British West Indies and Southern Colonies
Grew tobacco, transitioned to sugar cane
Heavy reliance on African slavery
Stringent slave laws established
Middle Colonies
Diverse populations with successful export economy
Social inequality between wealthy urban merchants and lower classes
Pennsylvania notable for religious freedom and fair land negotiation with Indians
Atlantic Trade System
Triangular Trade
New England -> West Africa (rum for enslaved people)
Middle Passage -> West Indies (enslaved people for sugar)
West Indies -> New England (sugar for rum production)
Mercantilism
Wealth measured by gold/silver, aim for favorable balance of trade
Colonies important for raw materials
Navigation Acts enforced trade through British ports
Slavery in Colonies
1700-1808: 3 million enslaved Africans brought to British territories
Slavery prevalent in Chesapeake and Southern colonies, less so in New England
Slaves defined as property, slavery became hereditary
Resistance: covert (cultural maintenance, sabotage) and overt (Stono Rebellion)
Relations with Native Americans
Frequent conflicts due to land encroachment
Notable conflicts: Metacom's War (King Philip's War)
Colonial Society Structure
Religion and Enlightenment
Enlightenment emphasized rationality over tradition, introduced ideas like natural rights
Great Awakening: religious revival led by figures like Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield
Governance
Colonies developed self-governing structures (Mayflower Compact, House of Burgesses)
Political communities mirrored English systems
Colonial-Frustration with British
Growing awareness of natural rights and resistance to practices like impressment
Conclusion
Unit 2 highlights European colonization motives and methods, the growth of trade and slavery systems, and the evolution of colonial society and governance. The seeds of discontent between the colonies and England are sown during this period, setting the stage for future conflicts.