2.1 European Colonization

Contextualization

• Europeans came to the New World for various reasons. Some thought the land, resources, and native peoples were prim for conquest

• As different groups settled, regional differences regarding environment, economic, culture and demographics became more apparent

Settling In…

• Most people saw Native Americans as backwards or primitive.

• During the 17th century the British became the most dominant

  • A large part of this was due to the transatlantic slave trade

  • The British used Africans to do the bulk of the labor in America.

France in the New World

• They were more friendly to the Indigenous people.

  • This is because they wanted to get into the slave trade.

Dutch in the New World

• Created a settlement called “New Amsterdam”

  • Later taken over by the British and called “New York”

• Traded beaver pellets.

British in the New World

• England’s population growth at the time caused many to seek new places to live

• Religious minorities sought refuge in the new world

• Strained relations with the indigenous people

  • Powhatans

• John Smith (head of the colony) married “Pocahontas”, the daughter of the Powhatan Chief.

  • She helped them sustain the colony by harvesting tobacco.

• Profits for tobacco led to the need of labor

  • Labor first provided by Natives, then indentured servants, but by 1662 slaves provided most of the labor.