2.1-2.3 Notes: History Spanish in North America

Spanish in North America

  • Ponce de Leon-Florida: Initial Spanish presence focused on Florida.
  • Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California: Spanish influence extended to these regions.
  • Missionary work: Primarily focused on spreading Christianity among native populations.
  • Limited Interest: Spanish were generally less interested in North America compared to other powers.

French in North America

  • Mostly Men, Few Colonists: Dominated by male fur traders with limited colonial settlements.
  • Mississippi River Valley: Focused on controlling the Mississippi River and its surrounding areas.
  • Fur Traders: Primary economic activity was the fur trade.
  • Quebec “New France”: Established Quebec as a major center of French influence.

Jamestown (Virginia)

  • Virginia Company: A private, joint-stock company that founded Jamestown.
  • John Smith-Leadership: Provided leadership in the early years of the colony.
  • John Rolfe-Tobacco: Introduced tobacco cultivation, which became a major cash crop.
  • Married Pocahontas: His marriage guaranteed power over the Powhatan Confederacy.
  • Royal Colony in 1624: Became a royal colony with a population of 5000.

Plymouth (Massachusetts Bay)

  • Called “New England”: Region known as New England.
  • Puritans = Reformers: Sought to reform the Church of England.
  • Pilgrims = Separatists: Wanted to separate entirely from the Church of England.
  • The “Mayflower Compact”: An agreement establishing self-government in the colony.
  • Initial Cooperation with Natives (Thanksgiving): Early positive relations marked by cooperation and a shared harvest celebration.

1630 Maryland

  • Catholic-Lord Calvert and Lord Baltimore: Founded as a haven for Catholics by Lord Calvert and Lord Baltimore.
  • Haven for Catholics: Provided religious refuge for Catholics.
  • Act of Toleration: Guaranteed freedom of religion to all Christians.
  • Protestants Took Over in 1700s: Protestants eventually gained control in the 18th century.

Rhode Island

  • Roger Williams: Banished from Massachusetts for questioning Puritan beliefs.
  • Anne Hutchinson: Banished for advocating women's right to preach.
  • Accepted Any Christian: Welcomed various Christian denominations.
  • Also tolerated Jewish settlements Demonstrated broad religious tolerance.

Connecticut and New Hampshire

  • Connecticut: Founded by Puritan minister Thomas Hooker.
  • New Hampshire Established as a separate colony.

North and South Carolina

  • Settled by Unsuccessful Planters from Barbados: Settled by planters from Barbados.
  • Heavy Focus on Rice: Primary crop in South Carolina.
  • Most Similar to the Caribbean: Shared similar agricultural and social systems with the Caribbean colonies.
  • North Carolina: Focused on tobacco production.

New York and New Jersey

  • New York: Taken from the Dutch.
  • Very Profitable Port: Became a major trading hub.
  • NYC: New York City grew as a significant urban center.
  • Large Diversity: Characterized by a diverse population, including Dutch settlers.
  • New Jersey: Also diverse, with a significant Dutch influence.

Pennsylvania and Delaware

  • William Penn: Founded by William Penn.
  • Quakers: Penn was a Quaker.
  • Anti-Slavery: Quakers opposed slavery.
  • Kind to Natives: Penn advocated for fair treatment of Native Americans.
  • Religious- Tolerance: Practiced religious tolerance.
  • Soon Taken Over by Non-Quakers: Control later shifted to non-Quakers.
  • Walking Treaty of 1737: A controversial land acquisition agreement.
  • Delaware: Separated from Pennsylvania.

Georgia

  • Last Settled: The last of the original 13 colonies to be settled.
  • Two Purposes:
    • Defensive buffer with Florida.
    • Send debt prisoners to the colony (Jails overcrowded).

Signs of Democracy?

  • Multiple Elected Assemblies: Colonies had elected assemblies.
  • Limited Monarchy Power: Monarchy's power was limited by colonial governance.
  • House of Burgesses (Virginia): An early example of representative government.
  • Town Councils, Town Meetings (Massachusetts): Local governance through town meetings.
  • Still Limited:
    • Women, natives, slaves had no say.