The Planting of English North America 1500-1733

Colonial Update! The Spanish were at Santa Fe in 1610 The French were at Quebec in 1608 The English were in Jamestown, Virginia in 1607

England’s Imperial Stirrings King Henry VIII broke with the Roman Catholic Church in the 1530’s, launching the English Protestant Reformation and intensifying the rivalry with Catholic Spain

Elizabeth Energizes England Elizabeth ascends the throne in 1558 and presides over a period of general domestic tranquility. She prefers (with the exception of the Irish Rebellion) to stay out of military conflict. However she does not discourage individuals from embarking on voyages of discovery or plunder. Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the world in 1580, captured a Spanish treasure ship and brought home profits of 4600% to investors (including the queen) In 1588, the English managed to hold off the Spanish Armada’s efforts to invade England. This victory began England’s bid for naval dominance in the Atlantic Ocean.

England on the Eve of Empire Economic Depression hit England in the late 1500’s causing much suffering and dislocation. Many, looking for a new home, sought refuge in the New World.

England Plants the Jamestown Seedling 1607 In 1606, the Virginia Company of London, a joint stock company received a charter from James I for a settlement in the New World. Three ships left England and arrived in America; the Susan Constant, Godspeed and the Discovery. The company landed on May 24, 1607. The site was in Chesapeake Bay on a piece of land connected to the mainland by a narrow causeway or isthmus. Early settlement efforts were difficult due to lack of experience and discipline. Many settlers starved in the winter of 1607-1608. In 1608, Captain John Smith took over the settlement: “You work, you eat”. By 1610 after the ”starving Winter 1609-1610”, only 60 settlers survived out of 400 original settlers

Cultural Clash in the Chesapeake Lord De La Warr reached Jamestown in 1610 with supplies and reinforcements. He started the First Anglo-Powhatan War much of which was about English expansion of the colony due to the proliferation of tobacco plantations. Powhatan Indians defeated again in 1644. By 1685 the English considered the Powhatan to be extinct.

Virginia: Child of Tobacco John Rolfe married Pocahontas in 1614 ending the First Powhatan War. In 1619, self-government was created when the London Company authorized the colonists to summon an assembly, known as the House of Burgesses. James I didn’t trust the House of Burgesses so in 1624 he made it a royal colony.

Virginia Child of Tobacco Midatlantic climate was unsuitable for sugar. Native Americans taught the settlers about agriculture: Three Sister (Maize, Squash, Beans) and also about tobacco. Tobacco became main export of Virginia. It was tough on soil so it needed to be planted in relatively fresh virgin fields (w/o fertilizers) Main cause of inland expansion by settlers and major cause for conflict with Native Americans Why? Settlers demanded exclusive access to land.

Maryland: Catholic Haven Maryland was formed in 1634 by Lord Baltimore as a refuge for the Catholics who had to escape the wrath of English Protestants. As time wore on, many chose to leave England during the English Civil War (1637-1649) including many protestants. Therefore in 1649 Act of Toleration was passed which extended religious toleration to all Christians.

The West Indies: Way Station to Mainland North America By mid 1600’s, England had secured several West Indian islands (ie. Jamaica) Sugar was by far the most important crop. Millions of African slaves were imported to work the sugar plantations ultimately outnumbering their European masters, the Barbados Slave Code was instituted in 1661 denying even the most basic human rights to slaves..

Colonizing the Carolinas Civil War plagued England in the 1640’s Supporters of Charles II settle the region (esp. South Carolina) along with many former indentured servants from Virginia. Carolina splits into North and South in 1712. Different character in each. North is less formal but more equality minded, South is much more aristocratic. Savannah and Yamasee Indians are exterminated in raids and wars. Cattle, Indigo, Rice and tobacco are major exports.