Introduction to Transatlantic Voyages (1491-1607)

• The period following 1491 marked significant developments in European exploration and colonization.

• Key Event: The splitting of the Christian church in 1517 led to increased competition among European nations for colonies in the Americas.

• In the 1500s, notable nations such as Spain established large empires in the Americas, amassing wealth through the exploitation of gold, silver, and gems.

Spanish Empire and Its Impact

• Wealth Utilization:

  • The wealth gained from the Americas was utilized by Spain to build powerful armies.

  • Spain engaged in military confrontations with rivals in Europe stemming from this newfound wealth.

• The search for wealth prompted England to begin its own exploration of North America.

English Motivations and Exploration

• Increasing Tensions:

  • Tensions escalated between England and Spain during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I, a Protestant monarch.

• Strategic Positioning:

  • Spanish treasure ships, following the Gulf Stream currents, traversed the southern coast of North America en route to Europe.

  • English explorers identified Chesapeake Bay and the eastern coast of North Carolina as strategic locations to launch attacks against Spanish ships.

• Privateering:

  • English privateers, alongside French and Dutch ships, aimed to capture cargoes rich with gold, silver, and gems heading to Spain.

Sir Walter Raleigh's Role

• Background:

  • Sir Walter Raleigh served as a favorite of Queen Elizabeth I and played a significant role in English exploration.

• Charter and Initial Expedition:

  • In 1584, Raleigh received a royal charter from Elizabeth I to seek riches in the New World and establish a base for attacking Spanish ships.

  • The first expedition led to the establishment of a fort on Roanoke Island, located off the present North Carolina coast, roughly 100 miles south of Chesapeake Bay.

  • The area was claimed for England and named Virginia in honor of Queen Elizabeth, known as the Virgin Queen.

Joint-Stock Companies

• Definition:

  • A joint-stock company is a business entity where ownership is divided into shares owned by shareholders.

  • This model allows for the buying and selling of shares, providing a means of investment for exploratory voyages.

• Shift in Funding:

  • This structure marked a shift from royal funding to joint public investments in colonial ventures.

• Virginia Company:

  • In 1606, King James I authorized the Virginia Company of London to establish a colony in North America, covering land from Cape Fear in North Carolina to Long Island Sound.

  • This territory was already inhabited by the Powhatan people, indicating a disregard for indigenous populations by the English.

  • The company's aims included the discovery of wealth (gold, silver, gems) and natural resources, as well as the quest for the Northwest Passage, which was believed to offer trade opportunities to Asia.

Settlement and Colonization

• Jamestown:

  • Despite the initial failure of the Roanoke colony, English and French colonization efforts continued, leading to the establishment of Jamestown in 1607.

  • This marked the beginning of the series of settlements that would evolve into the thirteen original colonies of the future United States.

• Roanoke Colony:

  • Known as the "lost colony," Roanoke was mysteriously abandoned in 1590, with its settlers disappearing without a trace.

  • The fate of the Roanoke colonists remains an enduring mystery in American history, contrasting with better-documented settlements like Jamestown and Plymouth.

Mystery of Roanoke's Disappearance

• Historical Context:

  • The narrative of American founding often oversimplifies the colonization process, glossing over failed attempts such as the Roanoke colony.

• Colonial Background:

  • In the 1580s, England’s desire to colonize stemmed from a perception of dwindling status and resources; they sought opportunities as evidenced by Spanish wealth.

• Expedition of John White:

  • In 1587, English cartographer John White led an expedition intending to establish a new colony on Roanoke Island, comprising 117 colonists primarily from the middle class seeking land ownership.

  • White departed for England in August 1587 to gather additional supplies, intending to return within six months.

  • Delays caused by conflicts with the Spanish Navy resulted in a three-year absence before White's return in August 1590.

• Abandonment of Settlers:

  • Upon landing, White discovered that the colony had been completely abandoned.

  • The settlers had constructed a defensible fort that was not present during White’s last visit, adding to the mystery.

• Clue Discovery:

  • A cryptic message, “Croatoan,” was found carved into a wooden post, a name signifying a nearby island and Native American tribe.

  • White had previously instructed the colonists to leave a secret token if they chose to abandon the settlement.

  • Weather conditions thwarted White’s attempt to investigate Croatoan Island for the missing colonists, and he never returned to the New World.

Archaeological Investigations

• Recent Discoveries:

  • Archaeological efforts have been undertaken to uncover the mystery behind Roanoke's disappearance.

  • Significant findings include an Elizabethan-era gold ring and a sword hilt in Native American contexts, suggesting possible survival and assimilation of some colonists.

  • However, no human remains have been discovered.

• Ongoing Mysteries:

  • The absence of evidence for an attack or siege leaves open the possibilities of voluntary relocation or a more sinister fate for the colonists.

  • The mysterious nature of Roanoke’s fate continues to captivate historians and archaeologists alike, posing questions about the early challenges of settlement in the New World.