European Colonization
of the Americas
1492 - 1752
Spanish Explorers & Colonies
Building a Spanish Empire (see map p. 30)
Conquistadors come to the New World for “God, gold
and glory.”
Juan Ponce de Leon – Sought the Fountain of Youth.
Claimed Florida for Spain
Vasco Nunez de Balboa – explores the isthmus of
Panama. First European to see the Pacific from America
Ferdinand Magellan – died along the way but…his ship
made it around the world (first known to do so)
Hernan Cortes – Conquers the Aztecs
Francisco Pizarro – fights to conquer the Incas
Spanish Colonies
Unlike other Europeans,
the Spanish incorporate
native peoples into their
colonies.
mostly forced labor
Some intermarriage
Spanish push north in
search of gold, defensive
positions and trade
routes.
Missionaries – do most of
the actual work of
colonization, but are
resisted by native peoples
Pueblo Revolt 1680
National Geographic:
Guns, Germs & Steel
The Jamestown Colony
Early English Explorers
Henry Hudson: Thought the Hudson River was the
“Northwest Passage.” But it wasn’t. Still a nice river
though.
Sir Francis Drake: “Sea Dog.” First English captain to
sail around the world.
England wants American colonies
Base for privateers
Looking for a Northwest Passage to the Indies
Want new markets
England’s too crowded!
Jamestown, Virginia
Jamestown
1607: After the Roanoke mystery / disaster, English
investors get a charter to form a joint-stock company
(Virginia Company) that will finance a stronger colony at
Jamestown, Virginia.
Hard Times
Settlers not used to colonial labor
Swamps = mosquitoes = disease = death
Weak leadership until John Smith takes charge, but he gets
hurt and goes home.
The Starving Time (see p. 39)
Breaking News: Things got REALLY BAD at Jamestown
Jamestown
Governing the Colony
Virginia Company fails so King James I takes over and
makes Jamestown / Virginia a royal colony – governor
appointed by the king.
Virginia has its own legislature made up of colonists
(House of Burgesses).
First instance of limited self-government in the English
colonies.
Native Americans fight back as the colonists push out
into their territory.
Jamestown
Tobacco to the rescue!
Colonists send some of this native plant back to
England and $$$ begins to flow.
Tobacco plantations begin to grow
Brits are promised 50 acres if they go to Virginia
Great deal because England is overcrowded and
unemployment is high
Indentured servants – poor folks who couldn’t afford
to sail for the New World would agree to work off the
passage fare (7 years!) if a rich plantation owner paid.
Bacon’s Rebellion
Nathaniel Bacon:
Tougher than he looks.
Bacon’s Rebellion: poor colonists got
tired of a government that doesn’t
care about them. Bacon went to fight
the natives for more land, but turned
around and burned Jamestown
instead. He controlled Virginia until
he got sick and died a few months
later.
New England Colonies
The French in North America
Verrazano (an Italian) came through NY Harbor
French settle along rivers and focus on fur trade with
Native Americans, which leads to Iroquois League
Plymouth Colony
Puritans flee England for religious freedom
Mayflower Compact – early self-government
In search of a “Purer Society for God” religious
intolerance leads to abuse: Salem Witch Trials. (p. 45)
Puritan ethic
New England Colonies
MA, RI, CT, NH
Geography: Good harbors, cold winters, rocky soil,
short growing season
Society: Generally established to escape religious
persecution (English Puritans). Highly literate society,
Protestant work ethic
Economy: diverse - trade, shipbuilding, lumber, fishing
Town Meetings – early self-government
Middle Colonies
NY, NJ, PA, DE
1644 - New Amsterdam becomes New York (NYC!)
Geography: Less severe winters, fertile soil, good
harbors
Society: very diverse in terms of nationalities and
religions
Economy: some cash crops (wheat, corn), some trade
Southern Colonies
VA, MD, NC, SC, GA
Geography: Long growing season, fertile soil
Society: English & African slaves
Economy: Large scale farming plantations (tobacco,
rice, indigo)
Plantations were largely self-sufficient; least populated
region
Slavery in the Colonies
Slaves were held throughout the colonies, but they
became essential in the Southern Colonies
Slavery becomes permanent (not indentured servitude)
By 1700, slavery becomes law and race-based.
Slave resistance
On slave ships – revolts or suicide
In the colonies – escape, resistance, rebellion
Primary Source – Aboard a Slave Ship, Olaudah Equiano
Growth of the American
Colonies
1689 - 1754
Mercantilism: $ = Power
Balance of Trade: Economics Concept (p. 60)
Colonies send raw goods to England / buy English made
goods
Salutary Neglect: England essentially left the colonies to
their own devises, as long as the trade balance was in
Her favor.