The distance of the colonies from Europe caused them to develop means of self- government.

What chain of events led to the founding of the early colonies?

Social Studies Standard : Examine the origins of modern capitalism…and the influence of explorers and map makers. Social Studies Standard 8.2.1: Discuss the significance of the Magna Carta, the English Bill of Rights, and the Mayflower Compact.

capitalism: an economic system in which people put money, or capital, into a business in order to make a profit. interest: percentage added to the original amount. mercantilism: an economic policy which held that a nation’s wealth was measured by its supply of gold and silver.

northwest passage: a water route/shortcut through or around North America. charter: an official document that gives certain rights to an individual or group. representative government: a political system in which voters elect others to make laws. religious freedom: the right of all individuals to follow their own religious beliefs.

Economic Changes in Europe Rise of Capitalism: As trade grew, money became increasingly important. Europeans developed modern capitalism, which is now the economic system of most of the world. Banking became important as investors began to borrow money from wealthy bankers. Spanish Doubloons

Economic Changes in Europe Mercantilism: European monarchs supported mercantilism as their nations began to benefit from a rise in wealth and trade. The best way to increase a nation’s wealth was to increase exports and decrease imports. Colonies were vital to mercantilism as they were a cheap source of raw materials and provided a place to sell goods.

Colonizing North America European Powers Seek Colonies in the Americas: As Spain and Portugal grew rich on American gold and silver, France, England, and the Netherlands desired colonies in the Americas. European powers sought a water passage through or around North America to Asia, called the northwest passage. France set up its first American colony in 1605 at Nova Scotia, Canada. By 1700, New France stretched from Quebec to Louisiana.

Colonizing North America European Powers Seek Colonies in the Americas: The Dutch established a colony on Manhattan Island called New Netherland in This later became New York City. The English settled a colony on Roanoke Island, North Carolina in 1585, but it vanished after a few years.

The Jamestown Colony Early Struggles & Self-Government King James I granted the Virginia Company a charter to establish a colony in The Jamestown Colony struggled to survive as settlers sought gold instead of growing crops. John Smith took command and required colonists to grow crops. The colony began making a profit by growing and exporting tobacco. Jamestown had the first representative government in the colonies. In 1619, the House of Burgesses was established. The representatives were voted on by the male settlers.

The Plymouth Colony The Mayflower Compact The Pilgrims, a group of Protestants who wanted to separate from the Church of England, sailed for Virginia in They were known as “separatists.” The ship went off course and the landed in Massachusetts in November, The 41 male passengers established a set of rules for the colony called the Mayflower Compact. This was a document that provided for the government of Plymouth Colony.

The Plymouth Colony Struggle and Survival The Pilgrims struggled to survive their first winter and about half of them died. The colony survived with the help of Native Americans who introduced the settlers to maize (corn). Religious Freedom The right of all individuals to follow their own religious beliefs. The Pilgrims were the first of many English settlers who came to North America in order to worship as they pleased; religious freedom. Over the next 150 years, people gradually came to believe government should not interfere with people’s religious or moral beliefs.

How were members of the House of Burgesses chosen? Settlers voted for the representatives Why was the Mayflower compact important? Strengthened the English tradition of representative government in the colonies.

HOMEWORK EXTENSION  Write a detailed SUMMARY of the section and complete the UNANSWERED QUESTIONS section of your notes.  Choose two of the remaining Depth & Complexity ICONS in your notes and explain how they relate to this section.