Overview
This lecture covers the major developments in early colonial America, including the Chesapeake and New England colonies, their economies, relationships with Native Americans, and colonial government structures.
The Chesapeake Colonies: Virginia & Maryland
- The Chesapeake includes Virginia and Maryland, both part of the southern colonies.
- Jamestown (1607) was the first permanent English settlement; faced high mortality during the "starving time."
- Tobacco, introduced by John Rolfe, became the region’s cash crop, causing land exhaustion and westward expansion.
- Headright System awarded 50 acres to settlers and incentivized bringing indentured servants.
- The House of Burgesses (1619) was the first representative government; introduction of African slavery began the same year.
- Maryland was founded by Lord Baltimore, offered religious freedom to Christians only via the Maryland Act of Toleration.
Key Conflicts & Social Shifts
- Bacon’s Rebellion (1676): Poor, landless whites protested lack of protection from Native attacks, leading to a shift from indentured servants to slave labor.
- Powhatan Confederacy was defeated; Native threats diminished by 1644.
New England Colonies: Plymouth & Massachusetts Bay
- Plymouth founded by Pilgrims (Separatists) seeking religious separation; created the Mayflower Compact (majority rule).
- Massachusetts Bay settled by Puritans wanting to "purify" the Anglican Church; led by John Winthrop.
- Puritan beliefs included predestination, education, and strict church membership rules; limited political rights to church members.
Colonial Expansion & Dissent
- Thomas Hooker founded Connecticut, establishing the Fundamental Orders (first written constitution).
- Roger Williams and Anne Hutchinson were banished for advocating religious freedom and challenging church authority; Williams founded Rhode Island, allowing complete religious freedom.
- Conflicts with Native Americans included the Pequot War and King Philip’s War (Metacom).
Other Colonies & Regional Differences
- Carolina had northern small farmers and southern plantations with aristocratic culture; religious toleration for Christians.
- New York and New Jersey had diverse populations, local governments, and small farming economies.
- Pennsylvania founded by William Penn as a Quaker "holy experiment" with religious tolerance and fair treatment of Natives.
- The Caribbean focused on sugar, relied on enslaved labor, and traded with North America.
- Georgia was founded as a buffer and haven for debtors by James Oglethorpe; initially banned slavery and Catholics.
Colonial Policies & Imperial Control
- Mercantilism: Colonies existed to benefit the mother country economically.
- Navigation Acts restricted colonial trade to England and specific goods ("enumerated articles").
- The Dominion of New England (James II/Sir Edmund Andros) consolidated control but collapsed after the Glorious Revolution (1688).
- Glorious Revolution inspired colonial resistance and increased desire for self-governance.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Charter Colony — Colony governed by a group with a charter from the king.
- Headright System — Land grant program to attract settlers by giving land for each arrival or paid passage.
- Indentured Servant — Laborer contracted to work for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America.
- House of Burgesses — First elected legislative assembly in colonial America (Virginia).
- Act of Toleration (Maryland) — Law granting freedom of worship to Christians only.
- Predestination — Belief that God decides one's salvation before birth.
- Mercantilism — Economic system where colonies serve the financial interests of the mother country.
- Navigation Acts — Laws restricting colonial trade to England and its colonies.
- Enumerated Articles — Specific colonial goods, like tobacco, allowed to be shipped only to England.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the causes and effects of Bacon’s Rebellion and King Philip’s War.
- Memorize key colonial governments: House of Burgesses, Mayflower Compact, Fundamental Orders.
- Study the differences in religious freedom among the colonies.
- Know key terms and be prepared for essay questions on economic systems and colonial conflicts.