Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia
Identity: Society, Religion
• Agricultural society becaused of warm climate. The land was fertile. South
Carolina’s land was suitable for rice and indigo. Virginia and Maryland
specialized in tobacco.
• Had close ties with English planter colony of Barbados that relied heaily on
slave labour, so also a slavery colony.
• The official religion of Virginia and the Carolinas was the Church of England
/Anglican.
• As Baptist, Quaker, and Presbyterian immigrants arrived, they freely
established their own churches.
• Although Roman Catholics founded Maryland, they welcomed Protestants as
well. (the land prices were so cheap that Protestants flocked to Maryland).
• English crown made Anglicanism Maryland’s official religion in 1692, but the
colony remained tolerant of other religions.
• In Georgia, everyone but Roman Catholics had religious freedom from the start
Population
• South Carolina was more populous than its
northern counterpart and its residents wanted
to be independent of the eight Lords
Proprietor.
• A large percentage of the white settlers in Nor
th America were indentured servants
•
As the plantations expanded, the demand for
slaves increased. The import of enslaved Africa
ns vastly increased the population of the South
ern colonies.
• Although most people of the Southern colonie
s were English, small groups of Scots, Scotch
Irish, Germans, and others
existed.(Immigrant groups in 1775)
Patterns and reasons for settlement
• The population wasn't centralized as it was much less a urban area.
• While most Southerners lived on small farms, some of the wealthier
people established plantations for large-scale farming. Indentured
servants and salves centralized there.
• Since the northern colonies attracted religious dissenters, they tended
to migrate in families. Such family connections were less prevalent in
the South.
• Settlers in the Southern colonies came to America to seek wealth they
could not find in Old England. America provided more space to realize a
lifestyle the new arrivals could never dream to achieve in their native
land.
• The English countryside provided a grand existence of stately manors
and high living. But rural England was full, and by law those great
estates could only be passed on to the eldest son.
Relationship with others:
Government
Proprietary
Royal
Maryland
Virginia
Proprietary government: governed by one person
or a group of people who reported back to the king.
The king would give a land grant to these people so
they can own the colony. Other colonists had no
control in the government.
Royal government: owned by the crown and ruled
directly by the English monarchy. The Governor
appointed by the monarch, who reported directly to
the crown and was also in charge of appointing
legislature. “Democratic”-upon the hierarchal class
system.
North Carolina
South Carolina
Georgia
Example of government decision:
•
•
Virginia and Maryland operated under the “Headright system” which provided incentives (50
acres) for planters to import workers.
Virginia legalized slavery in 1661 and began relying on Africans for permanent labor at
plantation.
Relationship with others: Trade
Effect of Trade:
Wealth through plantation become political powers for
the owners. Soon the wealthiest owners began to
dominate the local government. Smaller landowners
generally supported them.
Relationship with others: settlers and
Native Americans
Early interactions remained “cooperative”
Later interactions as land and resources
became scarce, violence erupted between
settlers and Native Americans.
 Bacon’s Rebellion 1676
White settlers wanted the government to
eradicate Native Americans yet failed and
burned James Town (along the coast of
Virginia)
 Had several disputes with Powhatan tribe
(contrasting to early friendly interactions
through marriage)