Colonial America: Native Relations, Economies, and Key Events

Natives did not ally with each other

Due to distance, language barrier, and cultural barrier.

Motivations for European colonization

Gold, God, and Glory.

Columbian Exchange

American → Europe = corn, potatoes, tobacco, and tomatoes; Europe/Africa → Americas = horses, cattle, sugarcane, wheat, and deadly epidemics.

Indigenous communities faced a 90% death toll

Because of smallpox and measles.

Encomienda System

Spanish managers were supposed to protect Native Americans and convert them to Catholicism in exchange for labor, but it resulted in brutal forced labor.

Asiento System

Shifted labor demands to African slave imports as native populations drastically declined.

Caste System

An unfair way of dividing society where individuals are locked into a specific social group at birth.

Traditional View of Christopher Columbus

Depicted as a visionary hero bringing Western civilization to a 'wilderness'.

Revisionist View of Christopher Columbus

Framed as a brutal conqueror whose arrivals launched genocide and cultural erasure.

The Modern Synthesis of Columbus

Focuses on systemic economic, demographic, and environmental shifts of the Columbian Exchange.

Portugal's treatment of Natives

Same as Spain.

Spain's treatment of Natives

Forced them into labor through the Encomienda system and changed their religion through missions.

Britain's approach to North America

Initially traded with tribes but pivoted to social exclusion and displacement.

France's colonial focus

On the fur trade, building alliances with native tribes.

Dutch colonial management

Established New Amsterdam and treated natives similarly to the French.

Three Types of Colonial Charters

Corporate Colonies, Royal Colonies, Proprietary Colonies.

Challenges of early residents

Location & Disease, Social Issues, Starving Time.

Tobacco Saves the Colony

John Rolfe and Pocahontas pioneered tobacco cultivation, leading to economic stability.

King Philip's War

Metacom united tribes to resist English settlers, leading to a brutal war.

Definition of Mercantilism

Economic policy where colonies enrich the mother country by providing raw materials.

Population boom in the 18th century

Due to economic opportunities, religious freedom, and diversity.

Beginnings of democracy in the colonies

Rooted in early experiments in self-governance.

New England Colonies economy

Subsistence farming, maritime trade, shipbuilding, logging, and cod fishing.

Middle Colonies economy

Known as the 'breadbasket' for exporting wheat and corn.

Southern Colonies economy

Focused on large-scale plantations and cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo.

The First Great Awakening

A religious revival transforming how people practiced religion.

Impact of the Zenger trial

Gave freedom of speech.

John Locke's argument

People are born with natural rights to life, liberty, and property.

Inalienable Natural Rights

Life, Liberty, and Property.

Social contract

Governments are created by consent to protect natural rights.