Early American Colonies

1.Colonization and Forging a Nation a.Identify the reasons for colonization, evaluate its impacts, and analyze the success or failure of settlements in North America Source:

b. Analyze religious development and its significance in colonial America (e.g., religious settlements, the Great Awakening) Source:

The English Develop the New World -The Virginia Company felt bringing resources from North America would make Britain wealthy. - They formed Jamestown in 1607, named after their king. -Joint-stock companies were formed in this era. In this system, a group of people invested money in hopes to make more money. Stock holders had rights to the profits.

Jamestown -The Jamestown residents focused so much on finding gold that they neglected farming. -Disease from bad water, hunger, and a poor focus on farming led to the deaths of many. -This was a disastrous start in Virginia.

Location of Jamestown

Tobacco Saves Jamestown -More colonists arrived and the Virginia Company needed laborers to grow tobacco and sell it in Europe. -The company offered free land to those who would work for them. -Tobacco would eventually make Jamestown a very wealthy area.

Indentured Servants -Indentured servants were those who came and agreed to work four to seven years just to get to America. -After the time period agreed upon, the indentured servant was set free. -In 1619, enslaved Africans arrived; yet, many were set free. Slavery would increase after this era (mostly in the South). Most slaves were not set free.

Clashes with Natives and Other Conflicts -The desire for more land led to conflict with Native Americans. -Many of the Spanish intermarried with conquered peoples. However, many of the British forced Native Americans out of their areas. -The Europeans often fought with each other as well.

Bacon’s Rebellion -In 1676, Nathaniel Bacon confronted Virginia’s leadership at Jamestown in a conflict known as Bacon’s Rebellion. -He wanted help from the government because he was having hostilities with Native Americans. He was denied assistance and rebelled. -His rebellion failed, but it showed the colonists were restless and agitated.

The burning of Jamestown during Bacon’s Rebellion

Protestant groups began after In that year, Martin Luther, a German, claimed the Catholic Church needed reformed. This began the era of the Protestant Reformation. Eventually, England joined the movement and broke away from the Catholic Church and formed the Church of England (The Anglican Church). (Slides NOT on guided notes…just listen)

Some groups wanted to “purify” the Church of England and make it more reformed. They were called Puritans. Others wanted to leave the Anglican Church, called Separatists. A group of Separatists came to the an area called Plymouth for religious freedom, they were called Pilgrims. Likewise, a group of Puritans came and started the Massachusetts Bay Colony. Both groups are similar in that they were Protestant Christians whose theological beliefs were impacted by the Reformation. (Slides NOT on guided notes…just listen)

To the right is a depiction of Martin Luther posting his 95 Theses against the Catholic Church, an historical moment for the Protestant Reformation marking the split of the Christian church. (Slides NOT on guided notes…just listen)

The Printing Press help spread the ideas of the Protestant Reformation

Luther’s Bible in German, the vernacular (Language of the Common People)

The Protestant Reformation in England -King Henry the 8 th joined the Protestant Reformation and broke away from the Catholic Church in the 1530s. -The Puritans, felt the Church of England did not change enough to abandon Catholicism. -Many wanted to “purify” the Church of England. Some people were even Separatists, like the Pilgrims, who wanted to break away from the Anglican Church.

Depiction of Pilgrims interacting with Native Americans

The Pilgrims Form Plymouth -In 1620, a group of Pilgrims left on the ship called the Mayflower and came to America for their religious freedom. -They formed Plymouth Colony. -They formed a system of law known as the Mayflower Compact.

The Geneva Bible used by the Pilgrims

Puritans Form the Massachusetts Bay Colony -In 1630, Puritans formed the Massachusetts Bay Colony. -Boston became the thriving capital. -They believed their colony was for God and to advance Puritan Christianity.

“We shall be a City upon a hill; the eyes of all people are upon us.” - John Winthrop, a leader of the Massachusetts Bay Colony

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