Colonial America, Along came the British

Protestant Reformation

• Queen Elizabeth I, takes throne, rivalry with Catholic Spain take off

• Ireland is the playing field for the rivalry.

• English see the Irish as “savage” natives

Roanoke Island

• 1585- Sir Walter Raleigh

• Colony is a HUGE failure, especially juxtaposed to Spain’s successes.

• Spain now overconfident wants to attack

1588

• The powerhouse Spanish Armada fails to invade England.

• Marks the beginning of the end of Spanish domination

The Foundations of an Empire

• England– Established itself as #1 sea

power in world

– Huge surges in nationalism

– A measure of religious unity

The Foundations of an Empire• Late 1500’s- Econ depression

hits wool industry- • Primogeniture laws- oldest son

inherits the land.• Forces ambitious people to

find fortunes else where. • Early solo attempts by singular

enterprises are futile

Economic Strength in Numbers

• Formation of Joint Stock Companies- allows investors to pool their money together

Virginia Company of London• Receives charter from King

James I. • Charter- guarantees the settlers

the same ENGLISH rights that they had at home.

• JSC- only interested in profits- companies are not meant to be long term- get rich quick

• No intention of settling• If there is no money, sell the

company, and forget about the settlers.

Virginia Company of London • 1st landing- Natives attack

them• Going north, the settlers

found the James River• 1607- Jamestown is

established is the first ENGLISH colony in North America

• The Pros and Cons

Jamestown

• Location- no Native settlements in area.

• This is because– 1.Poor water supplies

– 2. Malaria ridden

Jamestown • Large population of

gentlemen• Gents- don’t work• Gents- look for gold

that isn’t there.• Main concern is get

rich fast

John Smith

• Not a gentleman • Many among the voyage

disdain him • Had voted to execute them

upon landing in Jamestown• But- opened box, company

leaders had selected him as a leader of the colony

John Smith • 1607- captured by chief

Powhatan • Mock execution• Pocahontas “saves” him• Native perspective-

ceremony symbolizes that English acknowledge the Powhatan tribe’s power, and work with them.

He who shall not work, shall not eat• 1608- Smith takes over, brings

discipline and militaristic approach to colony.

• Methods of diplomacy with Natives- accept our trade conditions or we will attempt to take it.

• Starving time- Winter -1609-1610

• 90% mortality rate• Why- Powhatan tribe, surrounds

village, won’t allow the English to trade with others.

• 60 colonists remain

1610

• New governor arrives with new shipment of supplies and people

• Lord De La Warr• More militaristic

approach to colony and Natives.

1st Anglo Powhatan War 1610-1614

• LDLW- total war to Natives

• Burns food supplies and villages

• Marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas seals “peace”

2nd Anglo Powhatan War 1644-46• Native attacks force

Virginia into a war without peace.

• Ends any chances of the two groups assimilating

• Begin policy of removing Natives from ceremonial lands

• 1685- English consider the Powhatans extinct.

Native and Settler Relationships• Horses- allow plains Indians to thrive• Coastal tribes pushed inland, these tribes grow in strength • Interior tribes strength forces colonists traveling into the

frontier to go “Native”• New economy- barter and trade

Native and Settler Relationships

• Part of the economy, but English have all the control

• Dependency on new technologies destroys culture

• Disease kills most tribal elders, who maintain tribal histories and cultures

• Guns pit tribes against one another over best hunting grounds

Tobacco

• John Rolfe steals seeds from West Indies

• Perfects cultivation, tobacco BOOMS– 1.Extremely rough on soil

– 2.Forces colonists to want even more land

– 3.Profits, encourage even more planting.

– 4. More planting requires laborers.

– 5. Foundation of American Plantation system is set.