Unit 2 CSA | European Exploration and Life in the 13 English Colonies

Economic Factors
- Europeans sought wealth through exploration and colonization.
- In particular, the Spanish and Portuguese were interested in obtaining precious metals such as gold and silver.
- The French focused on fur trading, capitalizing on the demand for beaver furs in Europe.
Political Factors
- European empires were motivated to expand their territories and exert power over indigenous populations.
- The desire to build expansive empires led to competition among nations, influencing explorers like the Portuguese, Spanish, French, and English.
Religious Factors
- The spread of Christianity was a significant motivation for explorers, particularly those from Spain and Portugal, who aimed to convert indigenous peoples.
- Some British settlers brought their families and religions to the Americas, establishing communities where they could practice their beliefs freely.

Colony: A new settlement or territory established and governed by a country in another land.
Conquistadors: Spanish conquerors who explored and claimed territories in the Americas.
Missionaries: Individuals who travel to territories or communities to convert people to their religion.
Slavery: The treatment of people as property; individuals denied freedom in this way are said to be enslaved.
Columbian Exchange: The widespread exchange of animals, plants, culture, human populations, and ideas between the Americas and the Old World (Europe, Asia, and Africa).

Spanish Conquistadors: The primary goal was to conquer large territories for Spain.
European Explorers: Goals included establishing trading posts, exploring lands for potential wealth, and seeking new routes to Asia.
Challenges Faced by Early Colonists: The first Jamestown colonists faced significant environmental challenges and often did not find a welcoming atmosphere with indigenous peoples.

Gold (Economic): Desire for wealth through resources, trade, and exploitation of land.
Glory (Political): The ambition of nations to compete and gain prestige through conquest and colonization.
God (Religious): The aim of spreading Christianity and religious beliefs among indigenous peoples.

Established primarily for religious reasons with a focus on community and strict moral codes.
The climate was harsh, making farming difficult due to rocky soil and long winters.

Known for their diverse population, including various religions and cultures.
The agricultural focus included crops that required less labor than tobacco but were able to benefit from fertile soil.

Developed large plantations utilizing enslaved labor for crops such as tobacco, sugar, and cotton (known as cash crops).
The economy was highly dependent on agriculture, leading to a reliance on enslaved peoples for labor.

Civic Virtue: The concept that involved loyalty to the English crown, but evolved into the idea of local governance and rights.
Rights of Colonists: Expectations included having representation in local governance, which echoed English traditions, such as those established in the Magna Carta.

Magna Carta (1215): Established limitations on the power of the monarch, suggesting that not even the king is above the law.
Parliament (1265): Developed as a legislative body representing different parts of England.
Glorious Revolution: A bloodless coup that established parliamentary power over the monarchy, resulting in new rights for colonists.
English Bill of Rights (1689): Included rights like petitioning the king and trial by jury, often leading to a desire for representative governance in the colonies.

Laws varied between colonies while reflecting both colonial and religious standards, often resulting in severe penalties for crimes.
Puritan laws in New England, influenced by interpretations of the Bible, enforced strict adherence to religious norms and community standards.

A series of legal cases in 1692 where fear of witchcraft led to the execution of 19 individuals, mainly driven by societal tensions and false accusations.

The exploration and colonization of the Americas were driven by a combination of economic, political, and religious factors. Each colonial region developed its distinct characteristics influenced by their foundational motives and challenges faced during settlement. The evolution of governance and rights in the colonies reflected English traditions, often leading to clashes with their established norms. These elements laid the foundation for the complex social, political, and economic dynamics observed in colonial America.