Religion & Virtue: It's Impact on Colonization

1. Religion & Virtue: It's Impact on Colonization

2. London Company • Company in London. • Encouraged settlers to move to the colonies by telling them of all the gold they could find there. • They paid for the passage over with the agreement that they would find gold and send it back to London Company.

3. The Great Awakening • Religious movement in the colonies during the 1700’s. • Traveling ministers preached that inner religious emotion was more important than outward religious behavior. • Colonial culture changed because colonists began to argue over religious practices & leave their church for the Protestant one. They also welcomed all people, regardless of race or gender. • This movement also impacted the ideas of representative government.

4. The Enlightenment • A movement that emphasized reason and science as the paths to knowledge. • Benjamin Franklin was a famous American Enlightenment figure. • John Locke, a philosopher and Enlightenment figure applied the idea of natural law – people have unalienable rights (which the government should protect).

5. Pontiac’s Rebellion • Native American’s were upset with Britain because they believed Britain did not treat them with respect during the French & Indian War. • Native Americans attacked British forts. • Britain reacted by offering a ‘peace offering’ – they gave the Indians blankets infected with the small pox virus, killing hundreds of Native Americans. • This event leads to the Proclamation of 1763 (King stated colonists could not settle West of Appalachian Mountains).

6. Historical Documents • Historical Documents had a great impact on the colonists. • Documents that impacted them were: • Magna Carta • English Bill of Rights • Mayflower Compact • Fundamental Orders of Connecticut 5. Albany Plan of Union • They all expanded the idea of Representative Government!

7. Historical Documents • The Magna Carta – written in 1215 – also limited the power of the king. • Colonists used this document to set up advisory councils appointed by their governors. • The Albany Plan of Union was the first time the colonists had a proposal to unite them all together. This would eventually set us on the path to the Revolution!