8th Grade Social Studies
8.1 Extended Essay
8.1 Explain the primary motivations for English colonization of the New World, including the rise of the middle
class (joint stock companies), the need to move surplus population, and the search for religious freedom. (E, G,
H)
Question: Based on your content knowledge and the text and illustrations, explain the economic, religious,
and political motives for English colonization.
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What were joint stock companies and what role did they play in English colonization?
Who were considered “surplus” population and how did the New World provide opportunities for
these people?
What groups came to the New World seeking religious freedom? Where did they settle and how did
they extend (or not) freedom to others?
Excerpt from the Charter for the Virginia Company:
And to that End…their said intended Plantation and Habitation there, the one consisting of certain Knights,
Gentlemen, Merchants, and other Adventurers, of our City of London and elsewhere, shall be called the first
Colony; And they shall and may begin their said first Plantation and Habitation, at any Place upon the saidCoast of Virginia or America, where they shall think fit and convenient…And that they shall have all the Lands,
Woods, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and
Hereditaments, whatsoever, from the said first Seat of their Plantation and Habitation…And also all the Lands,
Woods, Soil, Grounds, Havens, Ports, Rivers, Mines, Minerals, Marshes, Waters, Fishings, Commodities, and
Hereditaments, whatsoever…And shall and may inhabit and remain there; and shall and may also build and
fortify within any the same, for their better Safeguard and Defense, according to their best Discretion, and the
Discretion of the Council of that Colony…
And we do also ordain, establish, and agree, that each of the said Colonies shall have a Council, which shall
govern and order all Matters-and Causes…And that also there shall be a Council, established here in England,
which shall, in like manner, consist of thirteen Persons, to be for that Purpose, appointed by Us, our Heirs and
Successors, which shall be called our Council of Virginia; And shall, from time to time, have the superior
Managing and Direction, only of and for all Matters that shall or may concern the Government, as well of the
said several Colonies.
…for the said several Colonies, shall and lawfully may…dig, mine, and search for all Manner of Mines of Gold,
Silver, and Copper, as well within any Part of their said several Colonies, as of the said main Lands on the
Backside of the same Colonies; And to HAVE and enjoy the Gold, Silver, and Copper, to be gotten thereof, to
the Use of the same Colonies, and the Plantations thereof; YIELDING therefore to Us, our Heirs and Successors,
the fifth Part only of all the same Gold and Silver, and the fifteenth Part of all the same Copper, so to be gotten
or had, as is aforesaid, without any other Manner of Profit or Account, to be given or yielded to Us, our Heirs,
or Successors…
CMCSS Social Studies
8th Grade Social Studies
8.1 Extended Essay
From James Oglethorpe, Founding Vision for Georgia (1733).
In America there are fertile lands sufficient to subsist all the useless Poor in England, and distressed
Protestants in Europe; yet Thousands starve for want of mere sustenance. The distance makes it difficult to
get thither. The same want that renders men useless here, prevents their paying their passage; and if others
pay it for 'em, they become servants, or rather slaves for years to those who have defrayed the expense.
Therefore, money for passage is necessary, but is not the only want; for if people were set down in America,
and the land before them, they must cut down trees, build houses, fortify towns, dig and sow the land before
they can get in a harvest; and till then, they must be provided with food, and kept together, that they may be
assistant to each other for their natural support and protection…
His Majesty having a Princely regard to the great danger the southern frontiers of South Carolina are exposed
to, by reason of the small number of white inhabitants there, hath, out of his Fatherly compassion towards his
subjects, been graciously pleased to grant a charter for incorporating a number of gentlemen by the name of
The Trustees for establishing the Colony of Georgia in America. They are empowered to collect benefactions;
and lay them out in clothing, arming, sending over, and supporting colonies of the poor, whether subjects on
foreigners, in Georgia.
Pilgrims Going to Church
Penn’s Treaty with the Indians
CMCSS Social Studies
8th Grade Social Studies
8.1 Extended Essay
CMCSS Social Studies