Colonial America and Age of Exploration

Age of Exploration

Period from the 1400s–1700s when European nations explored the world seeking new trade routes, wealth, and territorial expansion.

Motives for Exploration (Spain)

Gain wealth through gold, silver and encomienda system (forced labor), find NW Passage, spread Catholicism, expand empire, and gain glory (“God, Gold, Glory”)

Motives for Exploration (France)

Seek wealth through fur trade, find the Northwest Passage, and convert Native Americans to Catholicism.

Motives for Exploration (England)

Compete with Spain and France, expand trade, acquire land and resources, find NW Passage, spread Protestantism, and provide opportunity for poor/unemployed citizens.

Motives for Exploration (Netherlands/Dutch)

Focused on trade profit and maritime dominance; sought fur and wampum trade rather than religious conversion, find NW Passage

Motives for Exploration (Russia)

Pushed eastward to control fur-rich regions (especially seals and otters); expended across Siberia into Alaska for economic gain and imperial presence

Area of Control (Spain)

Controlled the Caribbean, Florida, Mexico, Central America, the American Southwest, and California.

Area of Control (France)

Controlled Canada (New France), Great Lakes region, Mississippi River Valley, and Louisiana.

Area of Control (England)

Controlled the Atlantic seaboard from New Hampshire to Georgia (Thirteen Colonies).

Area of Control (Netherlands/Dutch)

Controlled the Hudson River Valley and parts of present-day New York, New Jersey, and Delaware (New Netherland).

Area of Control (Russia)

Controlled Alaska and parts of the Pacific Northwest (1725–1867) until sold to the U.S.

Doctrine of Discovery

Legal-religious concept granting Christian nations the right to claim lands not ruled by Christians, justifying colonization.

Christopher Columbus

Spain, reached the Caribbean in 1492, beginning permanent European contact with the Americas.

Juan Ponce de León

Spain, explored and named Florida (1513); attempted colonization in 1521.

Francisco Vázquez de Coronado

Spain, explored the American Southwest (1540); searched for the “Seven Cities of Gold.”

Alvar Núñez Cabeza de Vaca

Spain, Panfilo de Narvaez’s (conqueror of Cuba) 2nd in command, survivor of failed Florida expedition; explored Gulf Coast and lived among Native Americans.

John Cabot

England, explored Newfoundland (1497), establishing England’s early claim to North America; reached the Grand Banks with a lot of fish

Sebastian Cabot

England, sailed along the east coast of North America (1508–1509); furthered English territorial claims.

Giovanni da Verrazzano

France, explored the Atlantic coast from the Carolinas to Newfoundland, including New York Bay (1524).

Jacques Cartier

France, explored St. Lawrence River (1534–1541); claimed parts of Canada for France; founded Charlesbourg-Royal near Quebec/Stadacona, kidnapped Donnacona, chief of the Iroquois at Stadacona and his two sons

Samuel de Champlain

France, founded Quebec (1608); established alliances with Native tribes and controlled fur trade.

Robert de La Salle

France, claimed the Mississippi River Valley for France in 1682, naming it Louisiana.

Pedro Menendez de Avilés

Spain, founded St. Augustine, Florida (1565), the first permanent European settlement in the U.S.; pushed French forces (Ribault) out

Henry Hudson

Netherlands, explored Hudson River and Bay (1609–1610); claimed the region for the Dutch.

Vitus Bering

Russia, explored Siberia and Alaska (1728–1741); discovered Bering Strait, opening Russian claims to Alaska.

Grigory Shelikov

Russia, founded the first Russian settlement in Alaska on Kodiak Island (1784).

Mercantilism

Economic system where colonies existed to benefit the mother country by supplying raw materials and buying finished goods.

Joint-Stock Company

Business organization where investors pooled money for colonization (e.g., Virginia Company).

Triangular Trade

Trade system connecting Europe, Africa, and the Americas; involved exchange of goods and enslaved Africans.

Middle Passage

The brutal sea voyage that transported enslaved Africans to the Americas.

Plantation System

Large-scale agricultural production using enslaved labor, dominant in the southern colonies.

Virginia (1607)

Founded by the Virginia Company for economic gain (initially gold and other riches but then tobacco bc of John Rolfe); site of Jamestown, first permanent English colony.

House of Burgesses (1619)

First representative assembly in colonial America, established in Virginia.

Massachusetts (1620-1630)

Plymouth founded by the Pilgrims (Separatists) for religious freedom (later merged with Massachusetts Bay Colony); Massachusetts Bay founded by Puritans under John Winthrop for religious freedom and to make a “city upon a hill”.

Rhode Island (1636)

Founded by Roger Williams for a policy of religious and political freedom after being banished from Massachusetts; any religion was welcome

Connecticut (1636)

Founded by Puritan dissenters from Massachusetts, led by Thomas Hooker; sought religious freedom and more democratic government; thought church membership should be more open admission

New Hampshire (1679)

Land in the New World was granted to Captain John Mason; settled for economic reasons to exploit areas for fishing, separated from Massachusetts.

Maryland (1634)

Founded by George Calvert (Lord Baltimore) as a haven for Catholics.

Pennsylvania (1681)

Founded by William Penn for religious freedom for Quakers and equality among settlers.

Delaware (1704)

Originally part of Pennsylvania (before it was under Dutch, then New Sweden, then New Amsterdam, then English under Pennsylvania and given general assembly in 1704); separated for local government needs; Dutch and the Swedes came to Delaware was for trade

New York (1664)

Originally Dutch (New Netherland) for fur trade, built Fort Nassau; seized by England in 1664 and granted to James, Duke of York.

New Jersey (1664)

Given to Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret; founded for profit and religious diversity.

The Carolinas (1663)

Founded by eight proprietors; North Carolina focused on small farms, South Carolina on plantations and trade.

Georgia (1733)

Founded by James Oglethorpe as a buffer against Spanish Florida and a refuge for debtors.

Puritans

English Protestants who wanted to reform the Church of England and be a godly example to others; founded Massachusetts Bay.

Pilgrims (Separatists)

Wanted complete separation from the Church of England; founded Plymouth.

Quakers

Pacifist religious group believing in equality and inner light; prominent in Pennsylvania.

Anglicans

Members of the Church of England; dominant in southern colonies.

Catholics

Sought refuge in Maryland from persecution in Protestant England

Great Awakening (1730s–1740s)

Religious revival movement emphasizing individual faith and emotion; led by Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield.

Southern Colonies Economy

Based on cash crops (tobacco, rice, indigo, cotton) and enslaved labor.

Middle Colonies Economy

“Breadbasket” colonies; produced grains, traded fur, had diverse populations.

New England Economy

Focused on shipbuilding, fishing, trade, and small farms; subsistence farming

Headwright system

Land grant of 50 acres to settlers who paid passage to the New World; encouraged population growth, used in Virginia, Maryland, New Jersey and more.

Indentured Servants

Laborers who worked for a set number of years in exchange for passage to America; preferred in Middle and New England because of lower costs

Slave Codes

Laws restricting enslaved Africans’ rights, ensuring control by white planters.

Powhatan Confederacy

Powerful Native group in Virginia; initially traded with settlers but later fought then (Jamestown Massacre, 1622, attack that killed 347 colonists; led to Virginia becoming a royal colony)

Salem Witch Trials (1692)

Series of trials in Massachusetts sparked by fear, religion, and politics; ended with many executions.

Stono Rebellion (1739)

Largest slave revolt in colonial America; occurred in South Carolina, quickly suppressed.

Yamasee War (1715)

Conflict between Carolinians and Native tribes over trade abuses; led to Carolina becoming a royal colony.

King William’s War (1689–1697)

First major conflict between England and France in North America, part of the War of the League of Augsburg. Fought between England and the Iroquois vs. France and the Algonquin tribes. The goal was to control the fur trade and gain Native alliances. Ended with the Treaty of Ryswick, which restored prewar boundaries without major changes. Significance → Began the long rivalry between England and France in the New World.

Queen Anne’s War (1702–1713)

Second war between England, France, and Spain in North America, part of the War of the Spanish Succession. Fought in New England, the Carolinas, and Canada between England vs. France and Spain with Native allies. The goal was to control North American trade and territory. Ended with the Treaty of Utrecht, giving Britain Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Hudson Bay. Significance → Strengthened Britain’s power and reduced French and Spanish influence in North America.

King George’s War (1744–1748)

Third colonial conflict between Britain and France in North America, part of the War of the Austrian Succession. Fought in New England and Canada between British colonists and Native allies vs. French colonists and their Native allies. The goal was to control trade routes and key forts like Louisbourg. Ended with the Treaty of Aix-la-Chapelle, which returned captured lands to France. Significance → Angered colonists who lost their hard-won victories, increasing resentment toward Britain.

French and Indian War (1754–1763)

Final and largest conflict between Britain and France in North America, part of the Seven Years’ War. Fought between Britain, the colonies, and the Iroquois Confederacy vs. France and their Native allies. The goal was to control the Ohio River Valley and dominate North American trade and land. Ended with the Treaty of Paris, giving Britain Canada and Florida and removing France from mainland North America. Significance → Britain became the dominant power, but war debt and new taxes on colonies led to rising tensions before the American Revolution.