Unit 3 Part II The American Colonies

What is a colony? A group of people in one place who are ruled by a parent country elsewhere

What is mercantilism and how did it motivate colonialism? Theory that a countries power depended on its wealth Encouraged countries to export more than import Colonies where a source of raw materials for the mother countries industries and markets for finished products Hurt colonial economies.

Joint Stock Company Colony in which investors could have part ownership and share in any profits Virginia, North and South Carolina

Proprietary Colony Colony owned and controlled by an owner New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, Connecticut, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Massachusetts

Royal Colony Colony owned and ruled by the King Eventually all the colonies were reclaimed by the King

Charter Written document granting land and the authority to establish a colonial government

Where was the first permanent English settlement in North America? Jamestown, Virginia in 1607

For what reasons did people come to the colonies? For what reasons did people come to the colonies?

Economic Opportunities Potential to acquire land and wealth Cash Crops – agricultural products that could be sold (i.e. tobacco) Indentured Servants – people who promised to be servants for a time in exchange for passage to the colonies

Forced Africans were enslaved to be cheap labor Plantation System – agricultural system in southern colonies for mass producing cash crops Middle Passage – the journey from African to the Americas

Triangular Trade Route Triangular Trade Route The Pattern of trade between Africa, Europe and the Americas

The Triangular Trade Route From Europe to Africa – alcohol and iron products (weapons) From Africa to the Americas – African men, women and children From the Americas to Europe – tobacco, rice, indigo, rum, and other raw materials

Religion Religious Dissenters – people whose faith did not follow the official religion of England

Puritans Those who wanted to purify the church of England of all Catholic practices Where not tolerant of other faiths Salem Mass., and other small New England towns

Pilgrims People who believed they were on a religious journey Settled Plymouth Mass. and other small towns

Quakers Believed in Religious toleration and freedom William Penn founded Pennsylvania as safe haven for Quakers

Catholics Look to the Pope as their religious leader Heavily persecuted in England George Calvert founded Maryland as a safe haven for Catholics

Toleration Acceptance of other beliefs and ways Roger Williams founded Rhode Island – the first place to welcome people of all faiths

New England Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island Long winters, rocky infertile soil, plentiful forests, good ports Small farms and businesses. Ship building, rum, fishing and whaling important industries

Middle Colonies New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware Soil more suitable for farming, abundant natural resources (iron, timber), good ports Industries = ironworks, sawmills. Large farms grew wheat “The breadbasket of the colonies”.

Southern Colonies Maryland, Virginia, North and South Carolina, Georgia Warm climate, long growing season, good rich soil and rivers for transportation. Plantation System - Large scale agriculture Cash Crops: tobacco, rice, indigo. Slavery: introduced for labor on plantations

How did the Geography of the colonies influence different development?

How did self-government develop in the colonies? The Virginia House of Burgesses (1619): First representative legislature in colonies. Marked the beginning of self-government

Mayflower Compact (1620) Mayflower Compact (1620) Written plan of government by the Pilgrims aboard the Mayflower. Established practice of direct democracy all the men of the colony were to participate in governing

Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639) First written Constitution in the colonies

By 1733 all 13 colonies had: A state Constitution and A Representative Legislature elected by all free men

Salutary Neglect “Beneficial Ignoring” Early policy of the British to allow the colonies to develop with little interference Colonies developed practice of self-government

Foundations of the American Identity

Religious Freedom Religious Freedom Toleration of different religious beliefs The Great Awakening – in 1700’s period of new devotion developed new religious groups (Baptists, Methodists etc.)

Education Schools started for religious purposes to educate ministers and so people could read the bible.

Ideas about Government Egalitarianism – belief that the law should apply to people equally (Rule of Law)Egalitarianism Representative Democracy – that the people are the source of government power (Popular Sovereignty)