BEGINNINGS OF
ENGLISH AMERICA
1607-1660
Chapter 2
England and the New World:
Unifying the English Nation
◦ England got a rather late start in Colonial
game◦ 1400-1500s occupied by War of the Roses
(Cousins War) and religious/dynastic
struggles of Tudors (are we catholic or
protestant today?)…won’t be until reign
of Elizabeth (and defeat of Spanish
Armada 1588) that they get in the game.
England and Ireland
◦ England learned to be a colonial power in
Ireland.
◦ Ireland is not giving up Catholicism, and that
makes protestant rulers unhappy. Gov’t will
use (at various times) military conquest
(including killing civilians) and land seizure to
bring population in line
◦ Tried moving protestants there- and giving
them land. “Plantation” is a group of people
“planted” in an alien population- term is 1st
used in Ireland. (whose native population was
often compared to Native Americans in the
1600s)
England and North America/Spreading
Protestantism
◦ Sir Humphrey Gilbert and Sir Walter Raleigh were both given
charters to est British colonies in the new world – which failedperhaps b/c of lack of government support. Most famous is
Roanoke (Raleigh) in Virginia which disappeared between
1587-1590
◦ Reformation and attack of Spanish Armada in 1588 made Spain England’s
“enemy”. So it was easy for gov’t to say they needed to “liberate” New World
from them. (black legend, las Casas etc)
◦ It is interesting the British begin their colonization with rhetoric of “freedom”, as
well as of course a path to wealth and power (anxious to be taken seriously by
larger more important countries)
The Social Crisis
◦ Impact of crops from Columbian Exchange HUGE for population of
Europe as a whole, and England’s population grew from 3 million in
1550 to 4 million in 1600. This (plus influx of gold/silver from Spanish
treasure) leads to massive inflation.
◦ In order to make more $$, landowners begin to use scientific farming
methods and Enclosure (remember this from last year?) which limits
the amount of land peasants have available. Many will become
industrial workers eventually, but at the moment nearly ½ the
population of England lived below the poverty line. Laws against poor
were harsh, and as one way getting rid of problem, Gov’t supports
them moving to colonies. This is different from Spanish or French
empires- and will have a important impact on why WE turn out the
way we do- we have a much larger European/native American ratio.
Masterless Men
◦ Working for wages was not considered a good
occupation in the 1600s- the unemployed
sometimes had to be “forced” to accept jobs.
◦ Landownership was the key to political rights, and
to control your own destiny was considered “true
freedom”. But land is really hard to get in Europe
without significant $$. Going to the new world
offered a unique opportunity for those born without
privilege (American dream is there before we are
even America) Land is the real treasure of the
British colonies.
The Coming of the English: English Emigrants
◦ If you left England for the new world you were taking a huge physical risk (death rates were
REALLY alarming in the 1st decades of English colonies). The fact that more than 500,000
people left England between 1600 -1700 tells us 2 things
◦ 1. How rough the econ/social conditions of England were (to drive to extreme change)
◦ 2. How much better opportunities were (or were perceived to be) in the New World
◦ North America NOT the most popular destination – Ireland and the West
Indies were. (there is BIG $$ in sugar) 360,000 went there.
◦ BUT: by the middle of the 1600s there are
◦ 120,000 in Chesapeake (Tobacco)
◦ 21,000 in New England (Puritans)
◦ 23,000 in Middle Colonies
◦ Majority (other than Puritans/Quakers- who came as families) are young,
single men from the bottom rungs of English society.
Indentured Servants
◦ If you had $$ to pay for your passage you
could buy/claim land as soon as you got here.
But 2/3 of the people who came during the
1600s didn’t have the capital to GET here.
◦ So they became Indentured Servants, promising 5-7 years of labor in exchange
for passage. Their labor could be bought/sold, could not marry w/o permission,
and could be physically punished “within reason”. (remember, this is an age
where you could beat your wife as long as you didn’t use a stick thicker than your
thumb)
◦ When term finished were supposed to get “freedom dues” payment of
tools/wages/land. BUT that was if you survived…
◦ Indentured servitude will limit slavery during the early years of colonization. But
employers constantly complained of servants being lazy, running away, or the
need to get new ones every few years….
Englishmen and Indians
◦ British don’t want to “conquer” (that’s SO Spanish), they just want
Native Americans to go away. (helped by the same population
decimation from European diseases) Many of the Native
Americans who lived in areas colonized by the British were at least
semi-nomadic….made it easier to get them to move. Displaced
native population more thoroughly than any other European
empire
◦ Marriage between Pocahontas and John Rolfe was famous- and
fairly unique. No mestizo population.
◦ Said Indians had no claim to land since they didn’t “improve it”.
But they built towns on sites cleared by Indians, planted Indian
crops, and adopted Indian technology (canoes and snowshoes)
Summary of Relations between
Europeans and Amerindians
Spain
Encomienda
(slavery)
Mission system
Pope’s Rebellion
Mestizos
France
Trade
Jesuits
Alliances
Enemy of Iroquois
England
Removal
Pequot & King
Philip’s Wars
Anglo-Powhatan
Wars
Transformation of Indian Life/Changes in the
Land
◦ Indians benefitted from new tech too- and therefore initially many groups
welcomed Europeans. Loved woven cloth, metal tools and cooking utensils, and
guns… also introduced to alcohol.
◦ Trade with Europeans became a path to “cool” goods, so Indian life patterns
began to shift. Men spent more time hunting for the furs Euros wanted. Overhunting
of deer/beaver. Lots written about how Indians trade land etc for trinkets- but both
sides were trading things they had in abundance for things they wanted.
◦ As Europeans arrive Indians are forced west- which actually created greater
conflict between tribal groups than with Europeans
◦ Changes to Environment come from Intro of European animals (esp big ones like
pigs, horses and cattle), as well as deforestation as Euros clear land for farming,
homes and business.
THE SOUTHERN COLONIES
TH
IN THE 17 CENTURY
Jamestown Founded
1607
First Africans Arrive in
Jamestown
1612
John Rolfe Plants Tobacco
in Virginia
1619
Carolina Founded
1634
Maryland Founded
1670
1676
Bacon’s Rebellion
Settling the Chesapeake
The Jamestown Colony
◦ 1607 Jamestown Virginia the 1st permanent British colony in
the New World. Poor choice of location- next to a swamp
(malaria) and the settlers dumped their trash in slow
moving river, then drank out of it (dysentery/typhoid)
◦ Colony nearly failed 1607-08. Worst segment was “starving
time” in winter of 1610. Where 340 of 400 settlers die. Only
1200 of 8000 settlers who arrive before 1625 will survive.
◦ Many of the earliest settlers who came to Virginia were
from upper classes (comparatively) and had more interest
in treasure than “work”. Forced John Smith’s famous “He
who does not work shall not eat” pronouncement – and
essentially a military dictatorship.
REPRODUCTION OF THE EARLY
JAMESTOWN SETTLEMENT
From Company to Society
◦ Rocky circumstances forced a fairly military regime during the early years, but this
is a business, and they need people to come (and work) in order to make $$. In
an effort to attract settlers, in 1618 the company issued a “Charter of Grants and
Liberties” which created an elected legislature: the House of Burgesses
(landowners) Not full democracy. Only landowners vote, company appoints
governor. But still a step.
◦ Also created the “head right system” : any colonist who brought over a settler got
50 acres of land. 1620 the 1st black slaves arrived in Virginia- but Indenture was
considered better b/c you got land
Powhatan Confederacy/Uprising of 1622
◦ Powhatans were the local tribe. Began fairly cooperatively with colonists. “Capture”
of John Smith was and “rescue” by Pocahontas was symbolic- a demonstration of
native power
◦ But relations became more hostile as it became clear that English had no intention
of sharing land. And once tobacco (which depletes soil and therefore needs TONS
of land) is in the picture things get even worse.
◦ 1622 Powhatans (under Pocahontas’s brother Opechancanough) attack- killing
nearly 1/4 of the English population. But English come back with reinforcements and
pretty much wipe out the tribe. Treaty signed in 1644 required coastal Indians to
move to “reservations” (a fun word that will come back lots of times)and forbade
them from entering European settlements without permission.
◦ Virginia colony never made $$, and will lose it’s charter in 1624. (VA becomes a royal
colony) BUT – a new product is being grown (introduced by Pocahontas vi her
husband)
A Tobacco Colony
◦ King James was not a fan of tobacco (one reason VA became
a royal colony was b/c he wanted to limit production) but the
rest of Europe was- and it soon became their primary product. In 1624 200,000
lbs
were grown, by 1665 it was 15 million lbs
◦ Created a “get rich quick” attitude- they grew it EVERYWHERE (even the
streets). Tobacco depletes nutrients from soil, you constantly need new land.
Early settlers and those with good finances back in England used purchase and
headright system to gain “the best” land (along coast/rivers for easy transport
◦ Growth in agriculture needs workers- of the 120,000 who came in the 1600s, ¾
came as indentured servants. Southern land ownership was smallest number of
hands compared to other colonies- the south will have “landed aristocrats” –
most like English hierarchy.
THE
SOUTHERN
COLONIAL
ECONOMY
Women and the Family
◦ Men outnumbered women 5/1 in the Chesapeake for most of the
17th century (single men in their 20s were the largest immigrant
group). The majority of women who came were also indentured
servants- and while there were plenty of options for marriage, they
had to wait until their term was up. (therefore married later and
had fewer kids)
◦ Life expectancy in the Chesapeake was 10 years shorter than it
was in England (where it was only in the 40s anyway) so a
traditional patriarchy was harder to develop.
◦ Women were permitted “dower rights” they could inherit up to 1/3
of a husband’s property if he died 1st- then when she died it went
to his male heirs. And given the less formal society of the colonies,
women tended to have greater independence as well. Even if it
was the “independence” of a life of hard agricultural work and
an early death….
The Maryland Experiment
◦ Founded 1632 as a proprietary colony by George Calvert
(Lord Baltimore)
◦ By this point tobacco is a viable economy, and Calvert was
looking to increase his fortune. But he had another
motivation, he was from one of the last noble families in
England to still practice Catholicism. Catholics in England
faced discrimination and persecution. Hoped Maryland
would be a haven for them.
Religion in
Maryland
◦ From the outset, protestants outnumbered Catholics in
the colony (as they did in England) and they brought
their prejudices with them. Protestants resented
privileges and land grants given to Catholics.
◦ 1649 Act of Toleration passed: Guaranteeing equal
protection of the law to all Christians. (but not anyone
else) Calvert saw Maryland as a feudal territory- no
discussion of representation in government.
MARYLAND ACT OF TOLERATION, EXCERPT
… Be it Therefore also by the Lord Proprietary with the
advise and consent of this Assembly Ordeyned and enacted
…that no person or persons whatsoever within this
Province…thereunto belonging professing to believe in Jesus
Christ, shall from henceforth be any ways troubled, Molested or
discountenanced for or in respect of his or her religion nor in the
free exercise thereof within this Province or the Islands thereunto
belonging nor any way compelled to the belief or exercise of any
other Religion against his or her consent…
THE NEW ENGLAND COLONIES
TH
IN THE 17 CENTURY
Harvard College founded
Pilgrims arrive in
Plymouth
1620
King Philip’s War
1629
Puritans found
Massachusetts Bay
1636
1644
Rhode Island
founded
1675
1692
Salem Witch Trials
The New England Way
The Rise of Puritanism
◦ Henry VIII had split with Church b/c of power, not doctrine. Therefore, the doctrine of
the Anglican Church was very similar to Catholicism. Many did not feel that was
ENOUGH of a change, that Anglicanism was not TRULY protestant. Many will choose to
leave England altogether and come to the colonies for religious reasons. Two major
groups came
◦ Separatists (Pilgrims): wanted a full break with the Anglican church, to create
something entirely new based on Calvinist theory. Believed only “Saints” (those who
had received “covenant”, the blessing of God) should be church members. Very small
group
◦ Non Separatists (Puritans): Wanted to reform the Anglican church from within. Much
larger #s, will be the dominant force in New England character.
◦ All Calvinists believed in “predestination”, reading the bible, and the importance of the
sermon - therefore an educated minister- in religion. (Book says average heard 7000
sermon in lifetime…wow!) Protestant work ethic, idleness/immorality signs of the devil
Moral Liberty
◦ Charles I had strong ties to France (and had been raised
Catholic) and seemed – to Calvinists- to be “restoring Popery”.
Puritans spoke of being persecuted, but they really weren’t
(certainly not like other religious minorities in Europe).
◦ Thought society was corrupt (evidence was the poverty etc in
England) and wanted to create “A City Upon a Hill” away from
religious and worldly decay.
◦ “Freedom” to a Puritan, meant the freedom to obey God’s will
through self government, self denial, and self punishment (super
cheerful) NOT the ability to do what you want (idle hands are the
devil’s playground etc…)
◦ “Christian Liberty” had no issue with censoring speech, actions
etc – otherwise, anarchy was sure to follow.
Pilgrims at Plymouth
◦ Pilgrims had already left England in 1608 to live in Netherlands (Calvinist) But
they didn’t like it. (“too Dutch” – literally) Got permission from Virginia company
to settle on their lands- and 102 people (both Separatist and plain Puritan)
arrived in the new world in 1620. Missed Virginia- landed on Cape Cod, and
knew they were in the wrong place- that’s why they created the Mayflower
Compact: to create order. (got rights to land 1626- but never had an actual
charter) Agreement to abide by the will of the majority (only male
churchmembers will get to vote)
◦ Like Jamestown, Plymouth had tough first years. ½ died 1st winter (they land in
October, no time for crops)- 1621 Squanto (a Wampanoag indian) teaches
them to grow corn, and use plants in area so by harvest they are ready for
“Thanksgiving”
◦ All land held in common until 1627, when it was divided among settlers.
Plymouth was an independent colony until 1691, but it was never as $$
important as Mass. Bay to the north.
The Rev. John Robinson and others aboard the Mayflower
“Having undertaken, for the Glory of God, … and honor of our
King and Country, a voyage to plant the first colony in the
Northern parts of Virginia, …covenant and combine ourselves
together into a civil body politic; for our better ordering, and
preservation… and by virtue hereof to enact, constitute, and
frame, such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions,
and offices, from time to time, as shall be thought most meet
and convenient for the general good of the colony; unto which
we promise all due submission and obedience.”
Mayflower Compact, 1620
-- Rule of the majority (meaning adult male church members)
PLYMOUTH
PLANTATION
The Great Migration
◦ Massachusetts Bay Est 1630- by Puritans. Far more organized and
planned than Pilgrims at Plymouth- 700 people came in 1st group,
2000 in 1631, 12,000 will be there by 1640, 20,000 by 1642. (Actually over 60,000 people
will leave England, other go to West Indies etc) Had a Royal Charter- not corporate
(King Charles was not a fan of Puritans, gave them good terms to leave) though within
their own group they will create a joint-stock situation. Great Migration end with the
start of the English Civil War (1642-49) and Puritan rule of England under Cromwell
eliminated the need to leave.
◦ Unlike Chesapeake- where single men came to make a fortune- New England
colonists came as families, so greater balance of women, children etc… (and puritans
racked up big families, with wonderfully bizarre names like Charity, Humiliation,
Silence, Repentance, and Abstinence)
◦ Climate much healthier- it’s cold, but that kills bacteria/germs, people who came to
New England had a life expectancy 10 years greater than if they had stayed at
home, 70 years
The Puritan Family
◦ These are strict people, obedience (of
wife, children, servants) is a primary virtue.
Women were considered the “spiritual
equal” of men, and could become
“covenanted” – but men were in charge,
and “correction” of wives/children not
considered a problem.
◦ John Winthrop (perpetual governor of
Mass Bay) said women achieved “true
freedom” from being wives/mothers, and
“embracing their husband’s authority” (I
would have been a horrible Puritan- just
sayin’). Had an average of 7 children
Government and Society
◦ Believed that God would favor them as long as they maintained a “moral”
society. Each town was self governing, each had their own Congregational
church. The “Elect” (or Saints) were responsible for those in the community who
had not received God’s blessing, any male churchmember can be a part of gov’t
(about 2/5 of population). Land distributed based on original investment, and all
towns planned. Townhall meeting often help up as model of pure democracy,
because even those w/o a vote could speak (men)
◦ Shareholders of Mass Bay Company emigrated to America- and took charter with
them Created a gov’t based on English model- a 2 house legislature, a governor,
and an independent judiciary.
◦ Consent of the governed was very important to Puritans, equality was not. Anyone
can worship/speak, but members/investors were in charge of decision making. But
as time went on it was harder to prove that you were one of the “elect”.
Church and State in Puritan MA
◦ Again, equality was not their thing. “Goodman/Goodwife”
were not as important as “Gentlemen/Ladies” or
“Master/Mistress”. Social order was part of God’s will, if you
weren’t high up, he doesn’t like you- work harder.
◦ Also had no problem with slavery- there are slaves in MA
from 1640 (though never many, wrong sort of climate for
large agriculture etc)
◦ ZERO religious tolerance – you could be put to DEATH for
doing it wrong (including witchcraft of course) Ministers
influenced admission to church membership by
conducting public interrogations of people claiming to
have experienced conversion.
◦ YET- clergy were NOT allowed to hold elected office, which
was important in idea of separation of church and state.
New Englanders Divided/Roger
Williams
◦ If you get in trouble in a Puritan community, or
were considers a “threat to social harmony” (for
things like complaining, criticizing etc) they may
kick you out- literally. You could be stuck with
nowhere to go.
◦ Roger Williams: Challenged Mass Bay policiesparticularly regarding Native Americans (said it
wasn’t fair Puritans just “took” land) Also said
gov’t had no right to regulate religious behavior
(in MA church was compulsory), said that was
between a person and God, what he called
“soul liberty”. Believed in religious tolerance….
Rhode Island and Connecticut
◦ Roger Williams banished – he founds a rival colony at Providence in 1636 (By BUYING
land from Natives). Hallmark of Rhode Island was COMPLETE religious tolerance- even
for non Christians (Indian Religions and Jews) Got an official charter in 1644
◦ Also known for entire separation between church and state- no taxes to support
church. (which was done in Chesapeake and rest of New England) Assembly elected
2x a year, new Governor every year.
◦ RI Developed most individualistic and independent population in Northern ½ of
colonies (N Carolina will be the other)
◦ Connecticut: Founded 1636, by a group of Boston Puritans (under Rev. Thomas
Hooker) who felt rule of law in Mass was rather arbitrary and oppressive- wanted more
individual freedom. New Haven- founded 1638 by separatists who wanted MORE
rules. Two colonies united in 1660.
◦ Fundamental Orders of Connecticut: the 1st official “constitution” in American History
(in that it was a completely defined organization of govt). Provided for representative
democracy of landowning men (not only churchmembers)
MAP OF
COLONIAL
NEW
ENGLAND
The Trials of Anne
Hutchinson
Anne Hutchinson: Also questioned church
rules- said people could read bible at
home for themselves- had no need of a
church to find salvation (Luther).Said
ministers were basing “salvation on church
attendance
Antinomianism: if a person is “elect” then
they don’t need to follow any rules/lawsit’s done.
Really she offended most by being a well
read, intelligent woman. Tried for Heresy
twice (once while pregnant) and way out
talked those who questioned her. BUT she
also claimed God spoke directly to herand Puritans think that’s witchcraft.
Banished. She and her family killed by
Indians- Puritans saw it as God’s judgement
Relations with Indians
◦ Calvinists aren’t into conversion- if God
wants you he’ll let you know. And since
Natives clearly NOT elect, they have no
role in model society- Puritans tended to
avoid them.
◦ But, as time went by….Puritans needed
more and more land (and tended to just
“take it”, and that got annoying for the
Indians
Pequot War
◦ Pequot War: Pequot were a tribe
in the Connecticut Valley. In 1637
two Puritans were killed in an
Indian raid (though not by
Pequots) English raid a Pequot
village in retaliation, and conflict
ensued. Ended with Puritans killing
most of the tribe, esp at attack at
Mystic river- where 400 natives
died
New England Economy/Merchant Elite
◦ New England was a place “Where religion and profit jump together”.
Immigrants who came to New England tended to have been better off at
home, middle class, with marketable skills. Protestant work ethic: God
admires/rewards hard work, success is a sign of grace.
◦ New England not good for large scale farming, (they do subsistence ag) but
has LOTS of good timber (scare in Eng, esp tall straight pines) and oodles of
fish. (cod). Most businesses were family affairs, not many indentured servants or
slaves. More equitable distribution of land
◦ Trade became base of New England econ. Supplied West
Indies with food (they wanted all land for sugar down there)
Merchants became econ (and eventually political) leaders
in society.
Halfway Covenant
◦ Puritanism is a religion that takes a lot of zeal and commitmentand that declined as time went on. Ministers go in for plenty of
hellfire and brimstone preaching.
◦ “Jeremiad ministers” (like Cotton Mather who wrote “Sinners in the Hands of an
Angry God”) warned that God would punish the wicked, but not as effective
as it used to be. 2nd generation just not as into it. In 1650 ½ of the men of Boston
couldn’t vote b/c they weren’t “saved”.
◦ Halfway Covenant 1662: sought to attract people to the church by giving
“partial” membership (including vote) to “unsaved” descendants of the great
migration who would agree to be baptized. Ancestry, not conversion became
key.
◦ Shows they are getting needy, by 1680s anyone could just “join” church.
Religion, Politics and Freedom
The Rights of Englishmen
◦ For England- much of the 1at half of the 1600s was full of religious and political
conflict in which the idea of “liberty” played a central role. The results of that struggle
will impact England, and her North American Colonies
◦ Magna Carta (1215) foundation of the idea of “Rights of Englishmen” – specific
liberties given to “all free men of the realm”. Now in 1215- that was a smaller # (serfs)
but by 1600s included most people. (ok, most men)
◦ Fairly limited “Rights” – Things like Habeas Corpus, Trial by Jury, Face your Accuser,
and protection of property (cannot be seized w/o due process). Become foundation
of Common Law.
◦ Really important idea (though it’s not officially written down, English don’t have an
official constitution, then or now) is that laws apply to EVERYONE….even the king.
The English Civil War
◦ Elsewhere in Europe the age of absolutism was getting started- and king Charles I
thought that sounded like a lot of fun. Parliament (which had a lot of Puritans in it)
was no fun- always trying to limit is powers
◦ Parliament accused the King of endangering liberty by imposing taxes without
consent (remember that idea, we’ll use it ourselves soon) imprisoning political foes,
and leading the nation back to Catholicism….all of which he WAS actually doing
BTW.
◦ Full out Civil War between the Cavaliers (king) and Roundheads (Parliament) broke
out in 1642. Parliament wins (Cromwell, new model army) and Charles I executed
1649.
◦ England is run by Puritans for almost a decade (gee, bet that was fun) but when
he died the monarchy was “restored” under Charles II.
◦ All of this was very stressful and intense. It led to a lot of conversations about liberty,
the power of government and what our “inalienable rights” are. (Hobbes and
Locke!!)
Debate over Freedom/English Liberty
◦ So what does it mean to be “free”? Lots of groups calling for
change to suit their definition.
◦ Levellers: the 1st modern democratic movement, in the real
sense of the word- meaning a society with equal rights for all
(end to aristocratic and Anglican privilege) Diggers: wanted
common ownership of land. Neither successful.
◦ But was DOES stick is a general definition of freedom based
on common (natural) rights shared by all citizens, and the
idea that there are limits to the power of both the king, and
government as a whole cannot take power without the
consent of the governed (the social contract!!)
Civil War in English America/Crisis in
Maryland/Cromwell and the Empire
◦ People took sides. New Englanders supported Parliament, Chesapeake (esp
Maryland) supported king. In Maryland things got a bit out of hand with a
quasi war in the colony later called “the Plundering time”. Act of Toleration
passed during the war (1649) hoping to settle people down.
◦ Massachusetts became even LESS religiously tolerant. Particularly towards
Quakers, a new group founded during the period who say the spirit of God
dwells within everyone and we should focus on this “inner light”. When
Quakers moved to MA, they were beaten, fined, and banished.(some
executed)
◦ Cromwell supported expansion of empire, b/c he knows colonies are a great
way to make $$. Seized Jamaica from Spain, and passed the 1st Navigations
Acts (1651) to block Dutch shipping