Overview
This lecture examines the early English colonies in North America, focusing on Jamestown, Virginia, and Massachusetts Bay, and explores their differing motives, social structures, and roles in shaping American identity.
Early English Colonies: Virginia
- Jamestown, founded in 1607, was the first successful English colony, aimed at making money rather than providing religious freedom.
- Previous attempts like Roanoke failed, with Jamestown surviving despite high death rates.
- The headright system (1618) offered 50 acres per person brought to Virginia, encouraging settlement via indentured servitude.
- Indentured servants worked for 7-10 years, often facing harsh conditions and rarely gaining promised land.
- The first African slaves arrived in Virginia in 1619.
- The tobacco crop made Virginia prosperous, leading to the creation of large plantations and a class-divided society.
- Society was heavily male, with a small number of women, often indentured servants, leading to delayed family formation.
The Chesapeake and Maryland
- Maryland was established in 1632 as a proprietary colony by Cecilius Calvert, aiming for a feudal structure.
- Maryland became a haven for Catholics in contrast to other colonies.
New England Colonies: Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth
- Plymouth Colony (1620) was founded by the Pilgrims, who sought separation from the Church of England and agreed to the Mayflower Compact, an early self-government framework.
- The Pilgrims only survived due to help from local Native Americans, especially Squanto.
- The Massachusetts Bay Colony (1629) was settled by Puritans (Congregationalists) seeking to reform the Church of England and prioritize communal religious goals.
- Board of directors for Massachusetts moved to America, allowing more autonomy and self-rule.
Society and Government in New England
- The Puritans emphasized social unity, with government reserved for church members ("visible saints").
- John Winthrop’s "city upon a hill" sermon highlighted collective responsibility and the idea of American exceptionalism.
- Inequality was seen as part of God's will, with distinct rights for different groups.
- Puritans valued literacy for reading the Bible, enforcing education among children.
- Religious dissent was not tolerated; figures like Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson were banished for challenging Puritan orthodoxy.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Headright System — A land grant system offering 50 acres for each person a settler paid to bring to Virginia.
- Indentured Servant — A laborer bound to work for a set period in exchange for passage to America.
- Mayflower Compact — The first written framework for government in the US, created by the Pilgrims.
- Puritans — English Protestants who wanted to purify the Church of England; those in New England were often called Congregationalists.
- Pilgrims — Separatist Puritans who founded Plymouth Colony seeking total separation from the Church of England.
- "City upon a Hill" — A metaphor from John Winthrop’s sermon describing Massachusetts Bay as a model community.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the differences between Jamestown and Massachusetts Bay colonies.
- Read John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity” for further understanding of Puritan ideology.
- Be prepared to discuss the motivations and social structures of early colonies in class.