Early American Colonies: Jamestown, Maryland, New England & Bacon’s Rebellion

Reasons for European Colonization

Economic gain: searching for gold, valuable resources, and trade opportunities. Religious freedom: groups like Puritans sought to escape persecution. Expansion of empire: claiming new land for England and spreading Christianity. Social motivations: land ownership, new opportunities for lower classes.

Jamestown

Founded in 1607 as the first permanent English colony in North America. Faced many problems: starvation ("Starving Time"), disease, harsh winters, conflicts with Powhatan Indians. Economy grew around tobacco farming, which became a profitable cash crop. Relations with Native Americans were tense—initial trade and alliances, but also violent conflicts.

Richard Frethorne Letter

Written in 1623 by an indentured servant describing extreme hardship in Jamestown. Highlights starvation, sickness (scurvy, flux), poor living conditions, and fear of attacks. Shows settlers' dependence on supplies from England and harsh realities of colonial life.

Maryland vs. Jamestown

Similarities: Both had tobacco-based economies and used indentured servants and enslaved Africans for labor. Differences: Maryland was founded as a Catholic refuge with laws protecting religious toleration; Jamestown was Anglican and more focused on economic survival.

Bacon's Rebellion

Reasons: Settlers' frustration over unfair taxes, lack of protection from Native attacks, political corruption under Governor Berkeley. Outcomes: Rebellion was suppressed but exposed tensions between frontier settlers and colonial elites; led to increased reliance on African slavery and changes in colonial policies.

New England Colonies

Settled mostly by Puritans and Pilgrims seeking religious freedom. Problems: Harsh winters, disease, rocky soil, conflicts with Native Americans. Economy: Small farms, fishing, lumber, and trade. Different from Jamestown due to religious motives, family-based communities, and more stable social structures.

Mayflower Compact

Signed in 1620 by Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. Established a civil government based on majority rule for the good of the colony. Early example of self-government and social contract in America.

"City on a Hill" Sermon

Delivered by John Winthrop in 1630 to Puritan settlers. Called for creating a model Christian community watched by the world. Emphasized unity, moral conduct, mutual care, and the responsibility to succeed for God's glory.

Economic opportunities

Search for gold, trade commodities like tobacco, fur, and fish.

Religious freedom

Puritans seeking to reform or separate from the Church of England.

Expansion of empire

Claiming land for England and spreading Christianity.

Social and political motives

Land ownership and self-government experiments.

Jamestown Colony

Began in 1607 as the first permanent English settlement in North America.

Starving Time

The period of early struggles in Jamestown from 1609-1610.

Economy based on tobacco cultivation

Tobacco became a cash crop in Jamestown.

Relations with Indigenous peoples

Initial trade and conflict; Pocahontas' marriage to John Rolfe was a brief peace symbol.

House of Burgesses

Established in 1619, starting representative government in Jamestown.

Richard Frethorne's letter

Reveals harsh living conditions: sickness, starvation, fear of attack, and lack of resources.

Richard Frethorne Letter (1623)

Describes severe hardships in Jamestown, including lack of food variety and constant fear from Native American attacks.

Maryland Colony

Founded in 1632 as a proprietary colony by George Calvert, Lord Baltimore.

Tobacco economy

Similar to Jamestown, Maryland's economy relied on tobacco cultivation.

Indentured servants and enslaved Africans

Used in Maryland Colony for labor.

Catholic refuge

Maryland was founded to provide a safe haven for Catholics.

Act of Toleration (1649)

Established religious toleration laws to protect various Christian denominations in Maryland.

Bacon's Rebellion (1676)

Caused by settlers' grievances over unfair taxation and lack of protection from Native American attacks.

Nathaniel Bacon's Declaration

Accused Governor Berkeley of monopolizing trade and failing to defend colonists.

Outcomes of Bacon's Rebellion

Rebellion was suppressed but exposed tensions between frontier settlers and colonial elites.

Economy of New England Colonies

Based on small-scale farming, fishing, lumber, and trade.

Civil Body Politick

Created by the Mayflower Compact to enact laws for the general good.

City on a Hill Sermon

John Winthrop's call for Puritan settlers to build a holy community as a model for others.

Covenant community

Emphasized by John Winthrop, focusing on unity and mutual support.