Let America Begin!!!

1. Let America Begin!!! Get your Colonies On…..WORD!

2. Why did the English settle Here? • The first permanent English settlement in North America was Jamestown. • founded in 1607 by the Virginia Company of London • purpose: economic opportunity (to make money) • Settlers (all men) were looking for gold and riches • Settlers weren’t planning to stay in the New World

3. Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems • no one wanted to work -- too busy looking for gold • location made people sick -- mosquitoes, malaria • John Smith took charge in winter of 1607 – forced men to work (“He who does not work, shall not eat”) • “starving time” (winter 1609) -- all but 60 settlers died before spring

4. “Starving Time” “And one amongst the rest did kill his wife, powdered [salted] her, and had eaten part of her before it was knowne, for which hee was executed, as hee well deserved; now whether shee was better roasted, boyled or carbonado'd[grilled], I know not, but of such a dish as powdered wife I never heard of.” – John Smith

5. Problems Solved • 1610 -- Lord De La Warr became new governor, set up strict martial law • 1612 -- John Rolfe developed new strain of tobacco – colony now has a way to make money • women and children arrived • 1640s – Virginia House of Burgessesestablished • first elected assembly in the New World

6. Relationships • Powhatan Indians were indigenous to the region • Colonists would take food and land, Natives would raid colonist establishments • Marriage between Rolfe and Pocahontas helps for a while • Opecancaunoh’s war – Surprise attack of many colonial outposts. • Killed 300+ settlers (possibly including John Rolfe)

7. Location, Location, Location • The settlers moved into three different areas for various reasons • Southern Colonies - seeking economic opportunity • New England Colonies - seeking freedom from religious persecution • Middle Colonies - seeking both religious freedom and economic opportunity

8. Southern Colonies • settled by people seeking economic opportunity • Cavaliers – English nobility who received large land grants in eastern Virginia from the King of England • Headright System – Anyone who paid for passage of another would receive 50 acres. • indentured servants – poor immigrants who agreed to work for 7 to 10 years in exchange for their passage to the New World • other poor immigrants became small farmers or artisans • settled in the Shenandoah Valley or western Virginia • Bacon's Rebellion - Frontier settlers sought support against native Americans from Governor. He refused and rebellion became violent. Showed differences between wealthy landowners and poorer frontier settlers.

9. New England Colonies • Colonies were settled by Puritans seeking freedom from religious persecution in Europe • Puritans were very religious – often intolerant of those who didn’t follow their religion • Very Ironic…..

10. We’re not done with NE yet. • 1620 – Pilgrims (one group of Puritans) arrived at Plymouth • wrote the Mayflower Compact • no government in the area, so must create their own • formed a “covenant community” • brought their families, planned to stay forever • 1630 – more Puritans came to Mass. Bay • John Winthrop (leader) wanted to create a “City on a Hill” – set an example for the rest of the world • town meeting – a form of direct democracy (all men of the town discuss and vote on issues)

11. Yup, more NE, I know seriously • one problem – religious dissent • Puritans wanted the freedom to practice their religion but did not want others to practice a different religion -- people who went against Puritan teachings were punished • Roger Williams – banished from Massachusetts, started new colony of Rhode Island • Anne Hutchinson – banished

12. No love for the Middle Colonies • settled chiefly by English, Dutch, and German-speaking immigrants • seeking religious freedom and economic opportunity • No bells and whistles, they’re just not worth it.

13. Do your homework! • And be nice to your teacher….