Overview
This lecture covers the development of the Southern Colonies, focusing on Jamestown, its struggles with native populations, tobacco agriculture, labor systems, Bacon’s Rebellion, and the transition from indentured servitude to African slavery before 1700.
Early English Colonization
- The English were late colonizers compared to the Spanish, with Jamestown founded in 1607 as the first successful colony.
- Jamestown settlers initially built a fort due to threats from both Native Americans and the Spanish.
- Early settlers were mainly traders and craftsmen, not experienced farmers, and struggled to grow food.
- The colony was established in a swampy, mosquito-infested area, which contributed to hardships.
Relations with Native Americans
- Powhatan, an Algonquian chief, aided early Jamestown settlers for mutual benefit.
- Initial codependency existed between colonists and natives, but tensions grew as Jamestown expanded.
- After Powhatan’s death, his brother attacked Jamestown in 1622, leading to ongoing hostility.
Government and Society in Jamestown
- The Virginia Company initially managed Jamestown, but the king took control after repeated crises.
- Local self-governance persisted, fostering political experience among colonists.
- Colonists sought profitable exports and eventually established tobacco as a cash crop.
Labor Systems: Indentured Servitude and Slavery
- Tobacco farming increased demand for labor, met first by indentured servants under fixed-term contracts.
- 80% of 1600s English colonists in Virginia were indentured servants; most did not survive their contracts.
- Over time, prospects for land and success for ex-servants diminished, creating social tensions.
- Declining indentured servitude led to increased reliance on African slave labor by 1700.
- Slavery became entrenched, with racial differences reinforcing the system and reducing conflict among whites.
Economic Problems and English Regulations
- Tobacco prices fell in late 1600s, causing economic distress and driving expansion for more land.
- England imposed regulations requiring colonists to trade only with England and levied taxes on tobacco.
- Colonists became frustrated by economic restrictions and perceived unfairness.
Bacon’s Rebellion (1676)
- Economic and land tensions between rich planters and poorer frontier settlers culminated in Bacon’s Rebellion.
- Nathaniel Bacon led a revolt against Governor Berkeley, accusing him of favoring elites and Native Americans.
- Rebellion resulted in reforms, temporary victory for small farmers, and violent attacks on Native Americans.
- After Bacon's death, the elite compromised, but the underlying labor shortage persisted.
Rise of African Slavery
- With fewer English laborers arriving, colonies turned to African slaves, especially in South Carolina and Virginia.
- Slavery was seen as more stable and economically advantageous than indentured servitude.
- Racial divisions increased, and even poor whites benefited from the slave system, reducing class tensions.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Indentured Servant — A person contracted to work for a set number of years in exchange for passage to the colonies.
- Powhatan Confederation — Alliance of Algonquian-speaking native tribes led by Chief Powhatan near Jamestown.
- Tobacco — The first major cash crop of Virginia, fueling colony growth and labor needs.
- Bacon’s Rebellion — 1676 uprising by frontier settlers against colonial government and Native Americans.
- House of Burgesses — The elected legislative assembly in colonial Virginia.
- Slave Labor — System where people, mainly Africans, were forced to work for life with no freedom or compensation.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review and summarize the main causes and consequences of Bacon’s Rebellion.
- Prepare to compare labor systems (indentured servitude vs. slavery) in upcoming readings.