Download
1 / 33
330 likes | 428 Views
Settlement of the Southern Colonies. Modified from: www.pptpalooza.net. Overview. Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia First settlement = Jamestown 1607 Tobacco and rice became the cash crop. These crops grown on large plantations with slave labor.
E N D
Settlement of the Southern Colonies Modified from: www.pptpalooza.net
Overview • Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia • First settlement = Jamestown 1607 • Tobacco and rice became the cash crop. • These crops grown on large plantations with slave labor. • Religion = not a large concern • House of Burgesses was first representative government in the New World.
1607 -England Settles Jamestown • Late 1606 Virginia Company sends out 3 ships • May 24, 1607 about 100 colonists [all men] land at Jamestown, along banks of James River • Easily defended, but swarming with disease-causing mosquitoes.
The Jamestown Nightmare • Settlers died by the dozens! • Mosquitoes in the swampy area carried many diseases. • “Gentlemen” colonists would not work themselves. • Game in forests & fish in river uncaught. • Settlers wasted time looking for gold instead of hunting or farming.
High Mortality Rates • The “Starving Time”: • 1607: 104 colonists • By spring, 1608: 38 survived • 1609: 300 more immigrants • By spring, 1610: 60 survived • 1610 – 1624: 10,000 immigrants • 1624 population: 1,200 • Adult life expectancy: 40 years • Death of children before age 5: 80%
Culture Clash in the Chesapeake • Relations between Indians & settlers grew poor. • General mistrust because of different cultures & languages. • English raided Indian food supplies during the starving times.
John Rolfe What finally made the colony prosperous??
Tobacco Plant Virginia’s gold and silver. -- John Rolfe, 1612
Virginia: “Child of Tobacco” • Tobacco’s effect on Virginia’s economy: • Vital role in putting Virginia on a firm economic footing. • Ruinous to soil when continuously planted. • Chained Virginia’s economy to a single crop. • Tobacco promoted the use of the plantation system. • Need for cheap, abundant labor.
Growing Political Power • The House of Burgesses established in 1619 & began to assume the role of the House of Commons in England • By the end of the 17c, House of Burgesses was able to initiate legislation. • House of Burgesses was the first representative government in the New World.
Virginia Becomes a Royal Colony • James I grew hostile to Virginia • He hated tobacco. • He distrusted the House of Burgesses. • 1624 he revoked the charter of the bankrupt Virginia Company. • Thus, Virginia became a royal colony, under the king’s direct control! • Think they liked that after making their own decisions?
The Atlantic Slave Trade “Triangular Trade” Rum Sugar Slaves
Colonial Slavery • Beginning in 1662 “Slave Codes” • Made blacks [and their children] property, or chattel for life of white masters. • In some colonies, it was a crime to teach a slave to read or write.
The Settlement of Maryland • A royal charter wasgranted to GeorgeCalvert, Lord Baltimore,in 1632. • A proprietary colony created in 1634. • A healthier locationthan Jamestown. • His plan was to govern as an absentee proprietor in a feudal relationship. • Huge tracts of land granted to his Catholic relatives.
A Haven for Catholics • Baltimore permitted high degree of freedom of worship in order to prevent repeat of persecution of Catholics by Protestants. • High number of Protestants threatened because of overwhelming rights given to Catholics. • Toleration Act of 1649 • Supported by the Catholics in MD. • Guaranteed toleration to all CHRISTIANS. • Decreed death to those who denied the divinity of Jesus [like Jews, atheists, etc.]. • In one way, it was less tolerant than before the law was passed!!
The West Indies Way Station to Mainland America • 1670 a group of small English farmers from the West Indies arrived in Carolina. • Had been squeezed out by sugar barons. • Brought a few black slaves and a model of the Barbados slave code with them. • Named for King Charles II. • The King granted Carolina to 8 supporters [Lord Proprietors].
Port of Charles Town, SC Also named for King Charles II of England. Became the busiest port in the South. City with aristocratic feel. Religious toleration attracted diverse inhabitants.
Crops of the Carolinas: Rice • The primary export. • Rice was still an exotic food in England. • Was grown in Africa, so planters imported West African slaves. • These slaves had a genetic trait that made them immune to malaria. • By 1710 black slaves were a majority in Carolina. American Long Grain Rice
Crops of theCarolinas: Indigo In colonial times, the main use for indigo was as a dye for spun cotton threads that were woven into cloth for clothes. Today in the US, the main use for indigo is a dye for cotton work clothes & blue jeans.
The Emergence of North Carolina • Distinctive traits of North Carolinians • Small farms rather than large plantations. • Irreligious & hospitable to pirates. • Strong spirit of resistance to authority. • 1712 NC officially separated from SC.
Georgia--The “Buffer” Colony • Chief Purpose of Creating Georgia: • As a “buffer” between the valuable Carolinas & Spanish Florida & French Louisiana. • Received subsidies from British govt. to offset costs of defense.
