Overview
This lecture reviews key developments in colonial America from Alan Brinkley's American History Chapter 2, focusing on early settlements, native relations, religious diversity, and economic policies.
The Chesapeake Colonies: Virginia & Maryland
- The Chesapeake region includes Virginia and Maryland, both part of the southern colonies.
- Jamestown (1607) was the first permanent English settlement, founded as a charter colony to make a profit.
- The "starving time" (1609–1610) saw high mortality; John Smith enforced strict work rules.
- Tobacco, introduced by John Rolfe, became a cash crop but exhausted land and led to westward expansion and native conflicts.
- The headright system granted 50 acres to settlers and those who paid passage for others, incentivizing migration and indentured servitude.
- In 1619, the House of Burgesses (first representative government) and the first Africans arrived in Virginia, introducing slavery.
- Maryland, founded by Lord Baltimore, passed the Maryland Act of Toleration allowing religious freedom for Christians only.
Social & Political Tensions
- Bacon’s Rebellion (1676) reflected tensions between wealthy eastern planters and poor western settlers, leading to a shift from indentured servitude to slavery.
- Demonstrated ongoing East-West and rich-poor conflict in colonial society.
New England Colonies
- Plymouth was settled by Pilgrims (Separatists) seeking to leave the Anglican Church; they created the Mayflower Compact, establishing majority rule.
- Early positive relations with natives shifted over time.
- Massachusetts Bay was settled by Puritans, who sought to reform the Anglican Church and believed in predestination.
- John Winthrop envisioned Massachusetts as a "city upon a hill," a model society with strict church membership requirements for political rights.
- Thomas Hooker founded Connecticut; Roger Williams, advocating separation of church and state, founded Rhode Island, which allowed religious freedom.
- Anne Hutchinson challenged authority and advocated women’s rights, leading to her banishment.
Native American Conflicts
- Major wars like the Pequot War and King Philip’s War were over land and trade, with colonial victories weakening native power.
Other Colonies & Diversity
- The Carolinas used the headright system and tolerated Christians; southern Carolina plantations relied on slavery.
- New York and New Jersey had diverse populations and were founded for profit; Quakers, led by William Penn in Pennsylvania, promoted equality, pacifism, and religious tolerance.
The Caribbean, Spanish, and French Influence
- Caribbean colonies relied on slave labor for sugar cane; harsh slave codes enforced.
- The Spanish focused on conversion and intermarried with natives, especially in the Southwest.
- The French, mainly in the interior, traded and allied with natives.
Economic Policy: Mercantilism & Navigation Acts
- Mercantilism: colonies existed to benefit the mother country (Britain) by providing raw materials.
- The Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade to England and certain goods (enumerated articles).
- Shipbuilding and related industries grew in the colonies due to these policies.
The Dominion of New England & The Glorious Revolution
- James II created the Dominion of New England under Sir Edmund Andros, enforcing strict English control.
- The Glorious Revolution (1688) ended the Dominion, leading to increased colonial resistance and belief in self-governance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Charter colony — colony governed by a corporate charter granted by the crown.
- Headright system — land grant policy giving 50 acres per new settler or person whose passage another paid.
- House of Burgesses — first elected legislative assembly in colonial America.
- Indentured servant — person working under contract for passage to America.
- Maryland Act of Toleration — law granting religious freedom to Christians only.
- Predestination — belief that salvation or damnation is determined by God before birth.
- Mercantilism — economic policy where colonies exist to benefit the mother country.
- Enumerated articles — goods that could only be shipped to England under Navigation Acts.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Memorize major events (e.g., Bacon’s Rebellion, House of Burgesses, Glorious Revolution).
- Review key definitions (headright system, mercantilism, etc.).
- Prepare to discuss causes and effects of colonial conflicts and labor shifts.