English Colonies in North America

Big Picture Spanish colonies came first: 1500s Spanish colonies were organized by Spanish government and church English colonies started in early 1600s –Created by individuals, not government –1607: In Virginia, people wanted wealth and opportunity –1620s: In Massachusetts, people wanted religious freedom (and wealth)

Early Virginia 1607: Jamestown, Virginia, colony was 1 st successful English colony Almost failed at first: –Colonists expected to find gold and return to England –The “Starving Time” Virginia was founded for economic profit and opportunity Discovery of tobacco changed Virginia into a wealthy colony

Society in Virginia Wealthy men bought large plantations and needed labor Poor men came as “indentured servants” –7 years of labor to pay for passage to America –“Headright System:” wealthy were given land if they paid for laborers to travel English could not use Native Americans as slaves –Malaria and small pox –Native Americans escaped to their tribes Later, Black African slaves were purchased for labor instead –First justified by economic profits –Later accepted due to racism Few women came in first years

Protestant Reformation Today, Christian churches groups: –Catholic Church (worldwide) –Orthodox Church (eastern Europe) –Protestant Church (worldwide) All believe in same central ideas: Bible, Jesus as son of God, sin, salvation Catholics’ believe salvation comes from Jesus’ crucifixion, faith, and good works Protestants broke from the Catholic church, starting with Luther in 1517 Protestants typically believe salvation comes entirely from Jesus’ crucifixion and faith alone Protestants split from each other –Lutherans –Calvinists (Puritans in Massachusetts) –Anabaptists (Quakers in Pennsylvania)

Northern English Colonies New England: Protestant colonists came to escape oppression in England “Pilgrims” sailed on Mayflower in 1620 and came to Cape Cod –“Mayflower Compact” on arrival: first agreement for self-government in America Thousands of “Puritans” followed after 1630 in “Great Migration” –Puritans demanded radical reforms in Church of England –Wanted Bible-focused faith without ceremony –Puritans founded Massachusetts Bay Colony around Boston Signing of the Mayflower Compact

A City on a Hill Gospel of Matthew: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.” Religious idealism to create new moral society Based on family unit for permanent settlement New England Way: religion and profit would jump together –Congregationalism –Elders to run church –Church attendance mandatory –Tithes to support church –Believed in the “elect” and the “damned” –Required soul-baring testimony to join the “saints” of the church John Winthrop, first governor of MBC