Colonial Dynamics Between England and America

Feb 16, 2025

History 203: England and America 1600-1700

Overview

  • Focus: Establishment of lasting English colonies in North America during the 17th century.
  • Significance: These colonies laid the groundwork for the United States of America.
  • Main idea: Diversity in the colonies' nature, reasons for founding, and economic development.

English Colonies and Disputes

  • Colonies had different founding reasons and economies.
  • Example: Rhode Island's border dispute with Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Plymouth.
    • The royal commission in 1665 was established to resolve these disputes.
    • Illustrates overlapping territorial claims due to little knowledge of local geography.

Impact of English Rule

  • English kings viewed North America as their property.
  • Overlapping grants and claims led to conflicts.
  • Comparison with Spanish colonies which had more uniformity due to the church.

Role of Slavery

  • Slavery existed in both northern and southern colonies but had different roles.
    • Northern colonies: Maritime trade, shipbuilding, less conducive to slavery.
    • Southern colonies: Plantation-based economies, slavery fundamental.

Forms of Colonies

  1. Charter Colonies
    • Governed by joint-stock companies with a king's charter.
  2. Proprietary Colonies
    • Granted to individuals or families (e.g., Pennsylvania).
  3. Royal Colonies
    • Governed by royal governor representing the crown (e.g., Virginia).

17th Century England

  • Political and religious upheaval post-Elizabeth I.
  • James I and Charles I emphasized the divine right of kings.
  • Conflict with Parliament led to English Civil War (1642-1649).
    • Battle cry: "No taxation without representation."
    • Oliver Cromwell and Puritan rule.

The Glorious Revolution

  • James II was overthrown in 1688.
  • William and Mary took the throne, accepting the English Bill of Rights.
    • Established limitations on the crown’s power.
    • Influence seen in the American Bill of Rights.

Colonial Differences

  • Different governance structures: salutary neglect allowed self-government.
  • Examples:
    • Virginia: House of Burgesses
    • Massachusetts Bay: General Court

Virginia Colony

  • Established by the Virginia Company of London.
  • Initial settlement: Jamestown (1607).
  • Challenges: Harsh conditions, starvation, dependency on Native Americans.
  • Economy: Tobacco as a cash crop; headright system for land distribution.
  • Volatility: Bacon's Rebellion highlighted class conflicts.

Puritan New England

  • Massachusetts Bay and Plymouth colonies.
  • Puritans: Calvinists, stressed covenant theology.
  • Society: Family-oriented, less reliant on slavery.
  • Government: Representative bodies, e.g., Mayflower Compact.

Key Takeaways

  • English colonies were diverse in their founding, economy, and governance.
  • The crown allowed a degree of self-governance that shaped colonial identity.
  • Religious and political factors in England influenced colonial developments.
  • Divergent paths in northern and southern colonies foreshadowed later conflicts.

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