1 THE ENGLISH COLONIES

2 EUROPEAN NATIONS: *Before Columbus, the land that would be known as America was populated by groups of Native Americans or Indians. They had no way of knowing how contact with the Europeans would forever alter or change their way of life. 4. But it was the English who would make the biggest impact on America. England would send thousands of English men and women to a land called North America that was rich in natural resources and land. To the English people who came to live in the 13 colonies, America would become their home. England France Spain *With each new explorer came a new land claim. The Europeans viewed America as blank or empty land just waiting for them to claim and settle it. 1. The Spanish found their gold and conquered parts of Central and South America and the Caribbean Islands. 2. The French found a land that was rich in furs and soon sought the help of Indian tribes in creating a profitable fur trade. 3. The Dutch developed the land along the Hudson River and created a profitable trading relationship with local Indian tribes.

miles They came from the island nation of England and made the dangerous voyage across the Atlantic Ocean for the promise of a better life in the wilderness known as America. They would be at the mercy of the weather and the strange people who already lived there. Many of them would die during the first year of settlement, but the survivors would build homes and towns. More would come from England and America would grow and prosper. England Atlantic Ocean New World Spain France British Flag: Union Jack

4 Roanoke Island THE ENGLISH COLONIES: 1. The first English colony in the New World was Roanoke and was created by Sir Walter Raleigh in Sent 7 ships and 600 soldiers to establish settlement. -Created colony on Roanoke Island (N.C.) -Named territory Virginia. -Abandoned and returned to England due to food shortages and trouble with Indians.

5 2. The second English colony in the New World was created by John White in Called Roanoke and built on same site as original. -Took 120 men, women, and children. -White returned to England when supplies ran low. -When he returned, colony abandoned and colonists not found. COLONY: A settlement ruled by a distant parent country. *Both colonies at Roanoke failed! -Parliament, British government, lost money on both colonies.

6 Even though colonies failed, merchants were interested in creating colonies in America for economic reasons. -Continue to search for gold/silver-Fish, whale oil -Trade with Native Americans -Animal furs -Soil for crops- Lumber and sap from trees English Parliament did not want to give money to merchants to start colonies. PARLIAMENT: England’s law-making body.

7 Merchants joined together to form joint-stock companies to send colonists to New World to create colonies. JOINT-STOCK COMPANY: Company owned by several investors through stock. STOCK: Ownership in a company.

8 The English Crown (King/Queen) gave charters to the companies or nobles who started colonies in the New World. -The charter made the colony legal and gave it rights under the English government. CHARTER: A paper giving certain rights to a person or group. PROPRIETOR: Noble who used own money to start colony in New World.

9 JAMESTOWN COLONY: London Company (Virginia Company): Given charter by King James I to create colony in New World. -Company sent 144 men to create colony. -Company sent 3 ships to create colony. Colony created along James River in Virginia in Called Jamestown. -Men more interested in looking for gold/silver than working. Food supplies ran low, no houses, no defenses, problems with Native Americans. -Captain John Smith arrives in 1608 and forces men to work for food : John Rolfe develops new type of tobacco that can survive shipment. Tobacco becomes popular in Europe and Jamestown colonists sell entire crop. Begin growing more. Tobacco becomes CASH CROP and helps colony succeed. CASH CROP: Crop grown in order to be sold for money. Tobacco Plant Jamestown Colony King James I Captain John Smith

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