Chapter 4 The English Colonies (1605 – 1735)

1. Chapter 4The English Colonies(1605 – 1735) The Virginia Colony Section 1

2. Settlement in Jamestown • Investors formed joint-stock company – London Company – to settle Virginia • April 26, 1607 – 3 ships arrived off Virginia coast; 105 male colonists • Jamestown – named after English King • Men poorly prepared to start settlement; most adventurers interested in making their fortune by searching for gold. • Very few had farming experience • Poor site for settlement; surrounded by marshes; water too salty to drink • By the time winter arrived, 2/3 of colonists had died; the few survivors = hungry and sick • Captain John Smith took control in September 1608 – forced settlers to work and build better housing – biggest contribution was strong leadership

5. The Powhatan Confederacy • Powhatan Confederacy – alliance of Algonquian Indians; brought food to colonists; taught them to grow corn • Not always peaceful; sometimes colonists took food by force • 1609 – approx. 400 more settlers arrived in Jamestown; John Smith had to leave due to injury • Winter, disease and famine hit again. Call this period “starving time;” by spring of 1610 only 60 colonists still alive – John Rolfe helped Virginia grow stronger • Important changes: • John Rolfe introduced West Indian variety of tobacco – grew well in Virginia; made a lot of money – colony began to thrive • Land ownership shifted from London Company to individuals; possibility of owning land attracted new settlers

6. War in Virginia • John Rolfe married Pocahontas – Powhatan leader’s daughter; helped colony form more peaceful relations with Powhatan • Pocahontas died in 1617; father died the next year; colonists no longer relied on Powhatan for food • Colonists wanted to grow tobacco on Indian lands; as the colony grew, so did conflict • 1622 colonists killed a Powhatan leader; Powhatan attacked settlers killing hundreds; settlers then burned Indian villages – fighting continued approx. 20 years • War showed Virginia that London Company could not help its colonists • Short on supplies; company did not send military support • English Crown cancelled London Company’s charter – Virginia became a royal colony under governor chosen by king

7. Daily Life in Virginia • Lived on scattered farms rather than towns • Tobacco plantations formed – made possible in part by use of the headright system • colonists who paid their own way to Virginia received 50 acres of land – could earn 50 acres for each additional person brought from England • Raising a family difficult-disease • Men outnumbered women 7 to 1-promises of marriage • No schools and few churches

8. Labor in Virginia • Indentured servants – signed a contract to work for 4 – 7 years for those who paid their ship fare to America • approx. 75% of early colonists arrived as indentured servants • Living conditions were poor, sickness was common; many died before term ended • Those who survived gained freedom and could claim land

9. Labor in Virginia (continued) • Africans • First brought by Dutch in 1619 • Some were indentured servants – worked and lived with white indentured servants; some became successful farmers at end of contracts • Enslaved – became more common as demand for indentured servants greater than the supply and as prices fell • Planters – wealthy farmers with large plantations • By late 1600s most Africans in Virginia were being kept in lifelong slavery • Helped some tobacco plantation owners become rich

10. Bacon’s Rebellion • Mid-1600s many colonists grew increasingly unhappy with conditions • Higher taxes and lack of available farmland • Began farming land belonging to Natives – broke treaties between government and local American Indians • Bacon’s Rebellion – former indentured servants led by Nathaniel Bacon – wealthy frontier planter and relative of the governor • Attacked and burned Jamestown • At one point, he controlled much of the colony; he died, the rebellion ended, and 23 of the remaining rebels were hanged • Difficult to make peace with Native Americans; fear of future uprisings by former indentured servants made many planters rely more on slavery

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12. The House of Burgesses was the name given to the first elected legislative assembly in the New World. The House of Burgesses, over time, came to represent the official legislative body of the colony of Virginia, and later, the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Virginia House of Burgesses was formed initially as part of a series of government reforms at Jamestown colony. Owned by the Virginia Company of London, the Jamestown colony only had around 1,000 colonists by 1619, so the Virginia Company made changes that the company hoped would make the colony more profitable. The Virginia Company established English Common Law, encouraged private investment from Jamestown settlers which allowed them to own their own land rather than simply being sharecroppers, and the creation of a legislative body similar to the British Parliament that would meet once annually. Prompted by the Virginia Company, colonial governor Sir George Yeardley helped facilitate elections of representatives, or burgesses, to this new legislative body that would come from eleven Virginia boroughs adjacent to the James River, along with eleven additional burgesses. The first meeting of the House of Burgesses occurred on July 30, 1619 at Jamestown, Virginia. The House of Burgesses became the first legislative body in the New World and ultimately became the foundation for self-government in the American Colonies and, eventually, the United States of America.

13. Chapter 4The English Colonies(1605 – 1735) The Pilgrims’ Experience Section 2

14. The Story Continues… • England’s King James I held a conference in 1604 to meet with Protestant leaders. • They wanted to reform the Church of England. • The leaders criticized the power held by Anglican bishops. As they talked, the king grew restless. • Finally, he interrupted one of the reformers and began shouting furiously. “While I am in England I will have bishops to govern the church.” • The king had plans for those who asked for reform too. • James stated, “I will make them conform themselves [become Anglicans] or I will drive them out of this land!

15. Puritans and Pilgrims • Puritans – wanted to reform, or purify, the Church of England • Bishops and priests had too much power over church members • The Bible was the most reliable source of authority • Most extreme sect wanted to separate from the Church of England • Separatists founded their own churches and cut all ties with the Church of England; punished by English leaders • Pilgrims – separatists who left England in 1608 and moved to the Netherlands because of persecution by English authorities • Pilgrims happy to be able to practice faith but not happy that children were learning Dutch language and culture; feared they would forget English traditions • Formed joint-stock company and returned to England to apply for permission to settle in Virginia

16. The Founding of Plymouth • Mayflower left England Sept. 16, 1620 with more than 100 men, women and children • not all were Pilgrims, but Pilgrim leaders were in charge – William Bradford-Leader Plymouth • Landed far north of present-day Virginia; Plymouth Rock – present-day Massachusetts • Realized they were outside of boundaries of English charter • decided to establish basic laws and social rules to govern their colony • Mayflower Compact – • social covenant or contract between members of society; set out rules by which Pilgrims agreed to govern themselves • one of first attempts at self-government in the English colonies

17. Actual Transcription:  William Bradford's "Of Plimoth Plantation." In ye name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwriten, the loyall subjects of our dread soveraigne Lord King James by ye grace of God, of Great Britaine, Franc, & Ireland king, defender of ye faith, &c. Haveing undertaken, for ye glorie of God, and advancemente of ye Christian faith, and honour of our king & countrie, a voyage to plant ye first colonie in ye Northerne parts of Virginia, doe by these presents solemnly & mutualy in ye presence of God, and one of another, covenant & combine our selves togeather into a civill body politick; for our better ordering & preservation & furtherance of ye ends aforesaid; and by vertue hearof, to enacte, constitute, and frame shuch just & equall lawes, ordinances, acts, constitutions, & offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meete & convenient for ye generall good of ye Colonie:  unto which we promise all due submission and obedience.  In witnes wherof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cap-Codd ye .11. of November, in ye year of the raigne of our soveraigne lord King James of England, France, & Ireland ye eighteenth, and of Scotland ye fiftie fourth. Ano: Dom .1620.

18. Contemporary Transcription:IN THE name of God, Amen. We whose names are underwritten, the loyal subjects of our dread sovereign Lord, King James, by the grace of God, of Great Britain, France and Ireland king, defender of the faith, etc., having undertaken, for the glory of God, and advancement of the Christian faith, and honor of our king and country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the Northern parts of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the presence of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic, for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony, unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunder subscribed our names at Cape-Cod the 11 of November, in the year of the reign of our sovereign lord, King James, of England, France, and Ireland the eighteenth, and of Scotland the fifty-fourth. Anno Domine 1620.

19. Pilgrims and American Indians • Most of the local American Indians killed by diseases brought by previous European visitors (fishermen) • Occasionally came across deserted villages and empty cornfields • Used empty fields to plant their crops • According to Bradford in March 1621, an American Indian walked into the settlement and spoke English • Samoset of a Pemaquid tribe; introduced them to Squanto – had lived in Europe and spoke English • Taught them to fertilize the soil with fish remains • First Thanksgiving – Pilgrims and Wampanoag

20. The Pilgrim Community • At first tried farming but land around settlement was poor; fishing and hunting conditions not good • Not wealthy enough to form strong community • Different from Virginia in that families were common • Most hoped to have many children (needed to help work) • Taught children to read and offered some education to indentured servants • Family served as center of religious life, health care and community well-being • Women cooked, spun and wove wool, sewed clothing; made butter and soap, carried water, dried fruit, cared for livestock • Men repaired tools, worked in fields, chopped wood and built shelters

21. The Pilgrim Community (continued) • In Plymouth, women had more legal rights than they did in England • had the right to sign contracts and bring certain cases before local courts • Widows could own property • Married and widowed women could get licenses to run inns and to sell liquor

22. Chapter 4The English Colonies(1605 – 1735) The New England Colonies Section 3

23. The Massachusetts Bay Colony • Charles I became king in 1625 • Raised taxes during period of economic downturn • Church of England began punishing Puritans because they were dissenters • Charles I refused to allow Puritans to criticize church actions • Great Migration – 10 year period in which tens of thousands of men, women and children left England; because of economic, political and religious problems • More than 40,000 to Caribbean and New England

24. The Massachusetts Bay Colony (continued) • King Charles I had granted a charter to Puritans to establish a colony in New England – they formed the Massachusetts Bay Company • Hoped to have freedom to practice their religion freely • John Winthrop wrote speech about their goals – reflected belief that they had made a covenant with God – agreed to build and ideal Christian community • Well prepared to start colony – people were neither wealthy or poor, but brought tools, livestock; trade with Plymouth helped • Established towns of Salem, Mystic, Newton, Watertown, and Dorchester; Puritans built Boston – chief city and capital of Massachusetts Bay • New Hampshire became a royal colony in 1679

25. Church and State in New England • Massachusetts subject to English laws • Company charter • provided more independence than the royal charter of Virginia • Created a General Court to help run the colony – type of self-government • John Winthrop was the first governor of Massachusetts • General Court became a two-house (bi-cameral) legislature in 1644 – main political body of New England (Massachusetts) • Politics and religion were closely linked • Government leaders were church members • Male church members were the only colonists who could vote • Could only become full members in the church by become what Puritans called God’s “elect” or chosen

26. Church and State in New England (continued) • Thomas Hooker (minister) and his followers left Massachusetts to help found Connecticut • Helped draft the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut – set of principles that made Connecticut’s government more democratic • Some have called Hooker “the father of American democracy”

27. Daily Life and Customs • Lives centered around religion, family duties, and public work • Sundays – 2 sermons; brought all members of community together • Community life more stable than in Virginia • Colonists in Virginia were either wealthy or poor • People who came to New England were more middle income; skilled workers or experienced farmers; some had success with fishing or fur trading • Grew food mainly for own use; little need for indentured servants or slaves

28. Daily Life and Customs (continued) • Most came in family groups • Parents helped choose children’s marriage partners • Women had three main duties to fulfill in marriage – obey husband, have children and run the household • Education was important; wanted children to be able to read the Bible • Massachusetts Bay Colony passed some of the first law requiring parents to provide education • Literacy much lower in Virginia

29. Dissent in Massachusetts • Roger Williams did not agree with the leadership of Massachusetts • Called for his church to separate completely • Criticize General Court for taking land from American Indians without paying • Took his supporters to southern New England and formed Providence – later became the colony of Rhode Island • In Providence, Williams supported separation of the church from politics and promoted religious tolerance; wanted to deal with American Indians fairly

30. Dissent in Massachusetts (continued) • Anne Hutchinson (Boston) angered Puritan church leaders by discussing religious ideas believed to be radical • Believed God speaks directly to people apart from the Bible • Important community members met at her home for religious discussions • John Winthrop (Puritan leader) alarmed by her ideas • She was put on trial and forced out of the colony • She and followers settled the new colony of Portsmouth (Rhode Island)

31. The Salem Witch Trials • Worst community conflicts in New England were the witchcraft trials (early 1690s) • Largest number held in Salem, Massachusetts • Girls accused people of casting spells on them – mostly women • Court often pressured the suspected witches to confess • 19 people put to death

32. Chapter 4The English Colonies(1605 – 1735) The Southern and Middle Colonies Section 4

33. Tolerant Maryland • English Catholics faced persecution in England because of their sympathies with foreign powers and their opposition to England’s separation from the Roman Catholic Church – not allowed to worship freely • Lord Baltimore (Cecilius Calvert) given charter to start Maryland as refuge for English Catholics; named in honor of England’s queen Henrietta Maria • Proprietary colony – owners controlled the government • Spent time raising corn, cattle and hogs • Like Virginia in that most settlers were men who raised tobacco for profit • Protestants began moving to Maryland causing religious conflicts • Toleration Act of 1649 – made restricting the religious rights of Christians a crime; one of the first laws supporting religious tolerance in the English colonies

34. The Carolinas • Started 1663 by 8 proprietors who supported Charles II during the English Civil War; originally one colony • Carolina – latin form of the name Charles • North and South Carolina became separate colonies because settlements widely divided, making it hard to govern them all • North Carolina – poor farmers who moved south from Virginia • Few plantations • No towns and few churches until early 1700s

35. The Carolinas (continued) • South Carolina • Port of Charles Town – Charleston • Attracted many settlers from other English colonies (particularly from British West Indies) – brought enslaved Africans with them (led them to rely on) • Rice production – required many workers • Only mainland colony with a higher population of enslaved Africans than free whites • Colonists unhappy with proprietors’ management of Carolinas – both became royal colonies

36. Diversity in New York and New Jersey • New Amsterdam – center of fur trade in New Netherland • Generous land grants and religious tolerance attracted Jews, French Huguenots, Puritans and others • Peter Stuyvesant took control in 1647 – experienced soldier ruled colony as dictator • English took control of New Netherland and renamed it New York (first of the middle colonies) • Dutch settlers remained in colony; contributed words such as boss, cookie and stoop to the English language • Duke of York made Carteret and John Lord Berkeley proprietors of New Jersey – diverse population (Dutch, Swedes, Finns and Scots) • New York and New Jersey produced large amounts of wheat

37. The Pennsylvania Experiment • Quakers (Society of Friends) – one of the largest religious groups in New Jersey – Protestant sect founded by George Fox in England • Believed all people had an “inner light” that could help them experience God • Rejected formal religious practices and dressed plainly • Supported nonviolence and religious tolerance • William Penn founded Pennsylvania (west of New Jersey) – provide safe home for Quakers • Tried to create a government that was fair to all people • Sold land to colonists at low prices, promised religious freedom to all Christians • Government would care for the poor • Penn named the capital of his colony Philadelphia or the City of Brotherly Love; became a model for city planners in other colonies • Delaware sold to Penn; remained part of Pennsylvania until 1776

38. The Ideal of Georgia • James Oglethorpe received permission to start a colony (Georgia) for poor English citizens; among the group were people who had been jailed for unpaid debts • King hoped Georgia would serve as a shield between South Carolina and Spanish Florida • City of Savannah founded in 1733 • Oglethorpe wanted Georgia to be different; hoped it would draw attract small farmers and avoid the rise of a class of wealthy planters • He outlawed slavery and limited the size of land grants • Gave poor colonists free passage to Georgia • Received cattle, land and food until they could provide their own • Settlers grew tired of strict rules (wanted slavery and larger farms) • Became royal colony with new laws