European Colonization of America: Spanish, French, English Empires and Colonial Characteristics

Period 2 1607-1754 10% of the test

Characteristics of European America • Spanish • Encomienda system • French • Settled by traders and trappers • Cooperative relations with Native-Americans • English • Initial tolerance for Native-Americans • Wars over land and culture will soon break out

Test Tip • The Spanish, French and English established very different colonial empires. Be prepared to compare and contrast the characteristics features of these empires.

French had best relations with Native Americans • did not come to colonize • developed lucrative fur trade • make their fortune and return to France

Chesapeake Colonies • Considered part of Southern Colonies • Tobacco was the mainstay of the economy • Plantations were established by riverbanks for the good soil and to ensure ease of transportation. • characterized by large plantations and little urban development. • The emphasis on indentured labor.

Southern Colonies • Predominately rural • Well suited for large scale farming • Planters and plantation owners top of social structure • cash crops, fishing, slave labor • Reliant on indentured servants, eventually on slave labor

1607- Jamestown, Virginiafirst successful English colony Tobacco saving grace

Bacon’s Rebellion, 1676 • Tensions grew between the freed indentured servants and the gentry • Class of planters • Governor of Virginia levied high taxes and failed to protect them from Indians • Bacon attacked and burned Jamestown • Planters turned toward slavery as more reliable

The first slaves arrive in North America • Jamestown, Virginia, 1619.

Test Tip • The causes of slavery have generated a significant number of essay and DBQ questions. Be sure that you have a solid knowledge of how geographic, economic and social factors combined to support the growth of slavery in the South. • Be aware that 3/4s of white southern families owned no slaves

Middle Colonies • Often referred to as the “Bread Colonies” • Grain production • Cottage industries • Weaving, shoe-making, cabinet making • Busy shipping ports • More farming than New England • Fishing

Pennsylvania • Founded by William Penn • Liberal colony • Representative assembly elected by landowners • Freedom of religion • No state-supported church • Haven for Quakers • Pacifists, refused to bear arms • Opposed slavery, abolitionists • Advocated freedom of religion • Greater role for women in church services

Northern (New England) Colonies • Not suited for large scale farming • Long, cold winters • Short growing season • Small villages, usually around harbors • Encouraged development of schools, churches, town halls • trade, lumber, ship building, fishing • Life regulated by strict religious beliefs

New England Colonies • The Puritans • Came to New England in family groups • Leader – John Winthrop • Lived in small villages surrounded by farmland • Close relationship between church and state

“a city upon a hill…” • John Winthrop wanted to build a model society • The ideal Christian society • Strict code of moral conduct

Banishment • Roger Williams • Challenged authority • Demanded separation of church and state • Tolerance for Native American rights • Founded Rhode Island • Religious toleration, Freedom of thought, attracted independent thinkers • Anne Hutchinson • Challenged authority over gender roles • Claimed to have had revelations from God • Banished to Rhode Island • Moves to New York • Killed by Indians

Test Tips • APUSH test writers admire dissidents who challenged the early Puritans and think you should know about them.

Religious Zeal Begins To Diminish • Half-Way Covenant • Eased requirements for church membership • Allowed baptism of children of baptized but unconverted Puritans • First Great Awakening • Wave of religious revivals in 1730s • Advocated an emotional approach to experiences of faith • Led to an increase of women in church congregations • Resulted in growing religious diversity • Led to the greater appreciation for the emotional experiences of faith

Test Tip • The Great Awakening has appeared on 5 of the last 6 tests be sure you pay attention to the consequences.

Mercantilism • Economic system created by European powers to increase wealth • colonies existed for the benefit of the Mother country • colonies supplied natural resources and markets for goods • Favorable balance of trade • Navigation Act, 1651 • Restricted trade to England or it’s colonies

The Enlightenment • 18th century philosophy stressing that reason can be used to improve human conditions • Stressed the idea of natural rights • John Locke • Famous Enlightenment figure of 17th century • Major influence on Declaration of Independence and the Constitution

Triangular Trade • Pattern of shipping trade across the Atlantic

Stono Rebellion • 1739, South Carolina • Largest slave rebellion • 20 slaves broke into a store and armed themselves • Eventually grew to over 60 slaves • Militia eventually surrounded the slaves killing or capturing them. • Those that were captured most were executed • Resulted in stricter laws against slaves

European Colonization of America: Spanish, French, English Empires and Colonial Characteristics