Exploring the Americas : A competition ensues

DO NOW: You are starting a new colony. Create 5-10 rules/laws that all colonists will follow:

Early Colonies in the Americas: Colony - new settlement or territory established and governed by a country in another land. Spain France Netherlands (Dutch) England

Motivations for Exploration - Spain - “Gold, Glory and God” (Riches) (Spread Christianity) - France - Economic motive of trading and trapping animal fur; Spread Christianity - Dutch - Economic Rivals with French over fur trade; Set up busy port of New Amsterdam (New York) - England - Both economic opportunity and Religious Freedom

Why do you think Henry Hudson sailed for two different countries?

England’s first three settlements: Roanoke Jamestown Plymouth

Roanoke (1585) Located in present day North Carolina First English Colony Settlers arrived seeking gold Early problems included: o Lack of supplies o Quarrels with Native Americans o Possible Drought John White, governor of the colony, went back to England for food and supplies. When he returned 3 years later, all of the colonists were gone. Upon arrival, John White saw the word “CROTOAN” carved into a tree. Mystery still remains today what happened to the colonists.

Jamestown (1607) First permanent English settlement; located in Virginia Virginia Company was given a charter (legal document giving rights to a person or company) to start colony. Representative Government set up where voters elect representatives to make laws. English having Political rights dated back to the Magna Carta of At that time, the King could not raise taxes unless consulting the Council of Nobles. The King had to follow the law. In England, representatives assembled in the Parliament which was made up of the House of Lords and House of Commons

Jamestown (1607) In Virginia free, male property owners could vote. Who could not vote- women, slaves, non-property owners, Natives Americans. House of Burgesses - Male settlers were allowed to elect burgesses, or representatives to the assembly Jamestown had very tough times in the beginning of the colony, and the early years were very challenging. o There was an outbreak of malaria. o There was starvation- the colonists did not plant enough crops. Settlers were too focused on trying to find gold. o The winter of was known as The Starving Time in which only 60 colonists of 214 survived.

Jamestown (1607) Better days ahead… John Smith - a strong leader emerged who was a soldier and explorer. He set up strict rules and forced the colonists to work. He also set up trade relations with Powhatan, an Indian Chief. Pocahontas, Powhatan’s daughter helped Jamestown survive by bringing peace between the colonists and her people. Finally, Jamestown’s economy improves due to the growing of tobacco.

Plymouth (1620) The English settlers who arrived in Plymouth were the “Pilgrims” and they came for Religious Freedom o In England, you had to be a part of Church of England, also known as the Anglican Church. o If you did not follow the Church, you could be fined, jailed and even executed. The Pilgrims board the Mayflower and land in present day Cape Cod, MA On Board, the Pilgrims drew up the Mayflower Compact - which was an agreement for ruling the Plymouth Colony, signed by 41 men. The Pilgrims faced early hardships, cold winters, starvation and diseases. Half of the settlers died during the first winter

Plymouth (1620) The Pilgrims received help from neighboring Native Americans. Squanto, part of the Wampanoag Indians, brought seeds to the Pilgrims for pumpkins, corn and beans, and showed them how to plant them. The Pilgrims had a great harvest in the fall, and celebrated the first Thanksgiving.