Unit 1
Colonialization to
Constitution
Day 1: The Origins of Colonialization
September 10, 2013 Agenda
Today we will answer the following
questions….
1. Why did the early colonies fail?
2. What lessons did the colonists learn
from the early colonists to make
Plymouth a success?
3. What makes a successful colony?
Early Colonial Experiments
Roanoke - 1585
1.
•
•
•
British king granted a charter to establish a colony
in the Americas.
Reasons to settle:
•
Needed an American base to attack Spanish
ships and cities
•
Needed supply stations for trading ships
•
New markets
•
Homeland becoming too crowded
Disaster: the settlers abandoned the colony and
returned home
Early Colonial Experiments
Jamestown - 1607
2.
•
•
About 100 colonists were sent to Virginia to start a new
colony.
Reasons for near-failure
•
•
•
•
Settlers not used to doing hard work and had come to
get rich quick
The site for the colony was a swamp with disease
infested mosquitoes
Poor leadership – argued about even minor issues
In 1609, the colony reorganized.
•
•
A governor was appointed by the king
Created the House of Burgesses: a legislature made
up of representatives from the colony to make laws
Early Colonial Experiments
Plymouth Colony – 1620
3.
•
•
Established by a group of Separatists – those
who left the Church of England – looking for a
place to be free to worship
Learning from Jamestown – they wrote the
Mayflower Compact before leaving the boat
•
The Compact was an agreement to obey all of
their government’s laws.
•
Succeeded in keeping them together
•
Most successful example of self-government
GROUP TIME…
ACTIVITY: IN YOUR GROUPS,
DISCUSS WHAT MAKES A
SUCCESSFUL COLONY?
WRITE YOUR ANSWERS ON THE BACK
OF YOUR NOTESHEET.
Mercantilism
 The Purpose of Mercantilism is for a
mother nation to collect as much gold as
possible.


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By creating colonies, nations expand their
ability to make money.
Colonies exist for the benefit of the mother
country.
The American colonies served as a source
of raw materials and trading markets for
Great Britain.
Triangular Trade
Once the colonies were established, Great
Britain began to develop trade routes.
Triangular Trade: trade between American,
Europe and Africa
America: raw materials
Europe: finished goods
Africa: African slaves
French and Indian War
 First land war in America lasted until 1763


Fought between colonists/British and
French/Indian allies
Colonists led by George Washington
 Ended with the Treaty of Paris


France gave up Canada and all land east of
Mississippi River
France kept New Orleans
Paying for the War
 The French and Indian War was costly to
Great Britain


Great financial burden on Great Britain
Britain lost the respect of the American
Colonists
 British
did not defeat the French easily.
 Colonists saw the weaknesses of the British
military.
Changing British Policies
 In 1760, Britain got a new King – George
III.
 With the new king came the end to
salutary neglect


Designed a plan to repay the debt caused
by the French and Indian War
Included new taxes and fees to raise
money
End of Colonialization
 By 1774, the colonists has had enough
of British rule
 They began to question whether Britain
should be able to rule them without their
representation in Parliament


“No Taxation without Representation”
The colonists adopted measures such as
British boycotts and a call to form militias
and arm themselves.
Exit Questions
1. What lessons did the colonists learn
from their early colonists to make
Plymouth a success?
2. What is the purpose of Mercantilism?
3. Why did the British end their policy of
salutary neglect?