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From Europe to America: a Brief History of colonization. Christopher Columbus’ impact on the New World. On Oct. 12, 1492, Columbus landed on an island 400 miles off the coast of Florida, ultimately intertwining Europe, Africa, and the Americas in what would be known as the Columbian Exchange .
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Christopher Columbus’ impact on the New World • On Oct. 12, 1492, Columbus landed on an island 400 miles off the coast of Florida, ultimately intertwining Europe, Africa, and the Americas in what would be known as the Columbian Exchange. • His brief encounter with the Taino Indians would lead to the eventual destruction of Native American culture in America, the enslavement of Africans in America, and the race for colonization of the Americas by the Spaniards, French, Dutch, and the English-who proved themselves to be the superior beings.
England Prior to New World Colonization • Queen Elizabeth’s (I)ascension to the throne established Protestantism as the dominant religion in England, touching off rivalry with Spain. • England harshly conquered Catholic Ireland, taking them as their first true colony. • Elizabeth encouraged English pirates to raid Spanish shipping lanes to promote Protestantism and seize Spanish treasures. • England suffered failure at the Roanoke colony. • After being challenged by Prince Phillip II of Spain and his Spanish Armada, the English navy crushed them. • The defeat of the Armada established England as the new masters of the Atlantic and ultimately the new empire builders of the world.
Factors leading to Colonization • England’s population was exploding. • Depression hit the woolen industry leaving many unemployed. • Many of the younger landed gentry had no land to inherit and went searching for something more. • England was at peace with Spain. • The establishment of joint-stock companies provided the means to establish colonies abroad. • Many were searching for religious freedom due to the installation of the Protestant Anglican Church in England.
Jamestown • Founded in 1607 by a group of 100 men who had invested in thejoint-stockVirginia company. • Many went in search of gold and also to find a NW passage to the Indies. • Meant to be temporary; no one suspected the implications the founding of this colony would have for England and the world long-term. • Men felt safe because they were guaranteed the same rights as if they still lived in England-of course this attitude would change 150 years later.
Jamestown’s Near Failure • The gold the men were searching for was not found. • Most of the men, landed gentry, did not know how to work the land and therefore could not sustain themselves (the starving time). • The James River was disease ridden and many succumbed to disease as a result. • Jamestown suffered from poor leadership; it was only after the emergence of John Smith as leader that the colony had some semblance of order-it did not last. • By 1625, 15% of those who chose to start anew in Jamestown remained.
Tobacco: Savior of Jamestown • John Rolfe brought tobacco from the West Indies and the cultivation of the “bewitching weed” aided in the prosperity of Jamestown. • Tobacco was also ruinous in that it leached the soil and ultimately brought about the plantation system in America and the need for more labor. • As tobacco production increased, other changes occurred: • 1. The first boat of Africans arrived. • 2. The House of Burgesses was assembled. (1st legislature) • 3. The Virginia Company’s charter was revoked-Jamestown now a royal colony.
Maryland: Catholic Sanctuary • 2nd plantation colony but 4th British colony in America. • Founded for religious and proprietary reasons. • Relied in the early years on indentured servants for labor. • Religious tolerance was promoted but Catholics were soon the minority. • 1649 Act of Toleration protected those only who believed in Jesus.
West Indies • In the 17th century as Spain weakened, England grew stronger. • England gained and colonized Jamaica in 1655. • Sugar was staple crop • 1. Crop of wealthy • 2. Labor intensive • Sugar lead to the importation of a quarter million African slaves. This has impacted the current human geography of the West Indies. • Barbados code of 1661 denied slaves any rights and gave masters control. • Testing ground for America’s slave system.
Carolinas • Named for Charles II after England’s Civil War. • Began as royal colony. • Rice emerged as staple crop in the region. • Close ties to the West Indies meant that the slave system and codes (slave, Barbados) thrived-(including Indians used as slaves.) • Charlestown (ton) became a haven for religious tolerance and diverse Europeans.
North Carolina • Royal colony separated from South Carolina in 1712. • Comprised of religious dissenters and poor outcastes. • Small farms run by squatters dotted the landscape. • Harbored pirates. • Most democratic, least aristocratic of the 13 original colonies. • Aided in ridding the region of all coastal Indian tribes.
Georgia • Last of 13 original colonies-founded in 1733. • Meant to protect more lucrative Carolinas from the Spaniards in Florida. • Only colony to receive money from the crown in it’s infancy. • Dubbed the “charity colony” because it harbored debtors. • Slowest colony to develop.
