English and Spanish Colonies: Funding, Profits, and Native Relations

Joint Stock Company

A group of investors that pooled their money to support a colony that would hopefully yield a profit.

Funding of English Colonies

They were Funded and maintained by Joint Stock Companies.

Profits from English Colonies

Investors kept 80% of profits.

Funding of Spanish Colonies

They were Funded by Spanish Rulers.

Profits from Spanish Colonies

Rulers kept profits.

John Smith

Identified as a War Hero who arrived at Jamestown in April 1607 and sensed trouble.

Colonists' Priority in Jamestown

"Nothing but gold".

Immediate Factors of Mortality in Jamestown

Diseased river water and hunger killed nearly everyone.

Colonist's Description of Suffering

Men were "night and day groaning in every corner of the fort", and some were "departing out of the World, many times three or four in a night." Their bodies were "trailed out of their cabins like dogs, to be buried".

Life Expectancy in Early Jamestown

It was DOWN ten years, meaning settlers were "lucky to see 20 years old".

Gender Ratio in Early Jamestown

Men outnumbered women 6-to-1.

John Rolfe

Instrumental in developing a successful cash crop in Jamestown by experimenting with a cross breeding of Brazilian with Native American tobacco.

Economic Priority for Jamestown Settlers

To Plant tobacco to sell before planting corn to eat.

Response to Tobacco Overproduction

By growing more.

Reason for Limited Use of African Slaves

They were considered too expensive and risky.

Headright System

Provided 50 acres of land to people who paid for passage to Virginia.

Indentured Servants

Workers with a previously agreed upon length of servitude in exchange for passage and shelter/food.

Virginia Company Bankruptcy

The Virginia company went bankrupt sending in troops and supplies.

Control of Virginia After Bankruptcy

King James made Virginia a Royal Colony (controlled by the crown).

Difference Between English and Spanish Approaches to Native Americans

The English had no desire to live among, near, or with the Native Americans, unlike the Spanish, who Married Native Americans.

Justification for Aggression Toward Native Americans

They remembered Powhatan actions during starving time.

Aggressive Tactics Used by English

Attacking and burning villages and kidnapping children (Pocahontas).

Attempt at Peace Between English and Native Americans

John Rolfe married Pocahontas.

Powhatan Tribe's Response to Pressure

They attacked secretly.

Main Economic Complaint of Virginia's Poor

They felt oppressed and frustrated by Gov. Berkeley's high taxes on the poor.

Political Corruption Associated with Taxes

Taxes did not serve the public good, but instead benefited planters who held government positions.

Frustration of Poor Colonists in Western Area

They had issues with Native Americans and demanded to know why money wasn't being used to protect them.

Trigger of Bacon's Rebellion

A "Bloody clash btwn NA and settlers" followed by Gov. Berkeley refusing to finance a war to help poor colonists.

Leader of Bacon's Rebellion

Nathaniel Bacon, who was made furious by Berkeley's actions.

Bacon's Description of Corrupt Officials

As "wolves who preyed upon our harmless and innocent lambs".

Bacon's Response to Berkeley's Refusal

He Raised an illegal army of landless people to fight Native Americans.

Immediate Result of Bacon's Violent March

Berkeley fled.

Physical End of Bacon's Rebellion

Bacon died a month later of illness and Berkeley returned and crushed rebels.

Ultimate Consequence of Bacon's Rebellion

It brought attention of the King to Berkeley and his policies. Berkeley was Called to England to explain himself, but died before he got there.