Unit 2 - British Colonial North America (1607-1754)

English Colonization in North America

Before Jamestown, the English had no successful permanent colonies in North America, despite attempts by Sir Walter Raleigh in the late 16th century.

Reasons for English Colonization

Factors such as overcrowding in England, competition with other European powers, and religious motivations drove the English to establish colonies like Jamestown.

Jamestown's Founding

The Virginia Company, a joint-stock venture, founded Jamestown in 1607 after failed attempts in Maine, aiming to profit from colonization.

Jamestown's Struggle

Jamestown faced challenges like drought, diseases, and unprepared colonists, resulting in a high mortality rate among the first wave of settlers.

Jamestown and Powhatan Confederacy

Initially aided by the Powhatan Confederacy, Jamestown's relationship with Native Americans soured due to cultural misunderstandings and conflicts over land ownership.

Tobacco and Chesapeake Colonies

Tobacco cultivation saved Jamestown, leading to the growth of Virginia and conflicts with Native Americans, ultimately resulting in the subjugation of indigenous peoples.

Headright System and Indentured Servitude

The headright system and indentured servitude addressed labor shortages in the colonies, providing opportunities for wealthier individuals and lower-class servants.

Founding of New England

New England was founded by Separatists (Pilgrims) and Congregationalists (Puritans), with ideals of religious purity and economic opportunities shaping the region.

The Pilgrims

The Pilgrims, seeking religious freedom, established Plymouth in 1620, emphasizing communalism and egalitarianism in their society.

The Puritans

The Puritans, led by John Winthrop, established the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, aiming to create a model Christian community based on community and equality.

Native American-European Relations

Native Americans allowed European expansion but didn't assimilate; colonists mostly didn't try to convert them except for John Eliot who demanded rejection of Native American roots.

Contrasting Lifestyles in Chesapeake and New England

Differences in religion, land distribution, settlement types, and family life between the Chesapeake (uneven land, plantations) and New England (egalitarian land, small towns, strong family units).

Restoration Colonies

Formed after the Restoration of the English monarchy in 1660, including New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Carolina, as proprietorships with diverse characteristics and origins.

Problems Faced by Colonies in 1670s-1680s

French conflicts with Iroquois, Spanish issues in New Mexico, and English land disputes in New England and the Chesapeake.

King Philip's War

Conflict in New England in 1675-1676 between colonists and Native Americans led by King Philip, resulting in Native American defeat and significant losses on both sides.

Bacon's Rebellion

1676 conflict in Virginia led by Nathaniel Bacon against Governor Berkeley due to Native American attacks and land issues, leading to increased use of African slaves.

Introduction of African Slavery

Shift to slavery in the Chesapeake after Bacon's Rebellion, influenced by European views on slavery and racism, leading to rapid importation of slaves and increased stratification in Southern society.

Mercantilism and Navigation Acts

Mercantilist beliefs in controlling production and colonies for wealth, leading to English Navigation Acts from 1651-1673 regulating trade, crew composition, and shipping routes.

Triangular Trade

The complex Atlantic trading system during the colonial period, involving the exchange of slaves, goods, and food among Africa, the American colonies, and Europe.

Admiralty Courts

Established to enforce laws related to enumerated goods and combat smuggling in the colonies.

Board of Trade and Plantations

Formed in 1696 to supervise colonial governors and oversee colonial trade, lacking direct enforcement powers.

Atlantic Slave Trade

The trade of enslaved individuals from Africa to the Americas, leading to economic and political consequences for Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Royal African Company

Established in 1672 by the English to control the slave trade, later losing its monopoly to independent traders.

Dominion of New England

Created in 1686 to consolidate control over the colonies, dissolved after the Glorious Revolution in 1688.

Population Growth

Significant increase in the population of the English colonies in North America due to immigration and natural increase during the 18th century.

Self-government

Colonial governments with representative assemblies elected by eligible voters, allowing for some political autonomy.

The Enlightenment

European intellectual movement emphasizing rationality and understanding the universe through natural laws, influencing American political thought.

The Great Awakening

Religious revivalism in America from the mid-1730s to the 1760s, emphasizing emotional experiences and leading to increased religious toleration.

Native American

Experienced dramatic changes due to disease, resulting in reduced band numbers and the formation of new family units, with extended families becoming more crucial due to high mortality rates.

Bi-racial

Emerged in areas with few European women, leading to mixed-race families residing in Indian villages, with acceptance varying across regions.

European Family

In the 18th century, households were larger and included all residents, working together for goods, with the head representing the household. Agriculture was the main source of sustenance, with specific tasks assigned to men and women.

African-American Family

Often part of European households, especially as slaves, with family ties varying by region, scarce in the North and dispersed in the Chesapeake, sometimes uniting against harsh treatment.

Urban vs

City dwellers engaged in marketplaces and had more external contact, contrasting with rural inhabitants who were more self-sufficient.

Colonial Politics Stability

Early 18th century saw a new elite stabilizing politics, with some areas cooperating while others had competitive office races, exemplified by the Zenger trial in New York in 1733.

Colonial Assemblies

Gained power relative to governors, acting defensively to protect people's rights, although they rarely passed new laws and were not attentive to the poor or population changes.

Colonial Politics Shift

By mid-century, colonists aligned their system with the British one, viewing assemblies as protectors, despite not addressing concerns of the poor or adapting to population changes.

Colonial Politics Crisis

Mid-18th century witnessed internal crises revealing societal tensions, such as the Stono Rebellion in South Carolina in 1739, leading to harsher laws against blacks and a reign of terror in New York in 1741 due to fears of slave uprisings.

Regulator Movements

Backcountry farmers in the Carolinas rebelled against provincial governments in the 1760s, feeling marginalized and treated unfairly.