Colonial North

America

Virginia Virginia is settled by those seeking

economic opportunity (Tobacco). Early Virginia “Cavaliers” were English

nobility who received large land grants in eastern Virginia.

Many indentured servants come to this area to work and escape poor economic conditions in England.

Virginia “First Families” and

focus on cash crops. Agricultural base and

landed aristocracy. Light religious

influence. Church of England.

Bacon’s Rebellion.

Early Colonization, New England

New England was primarily settled by Puritans seeking religious freedom.

They formed a covenant community based on the principles of the Mayflower Compact and Puritan Religious beliefs.

Direct democracy was practiced through town meetings.

Religious Communities

John Winthrop – “A city upon a hill.”

Roger Williams – Rhode Island.

Thomas Hooker – Connecticut.

Anne Hutchinson.

Puritan Expansion and Collapse After the successes of

Williams and other dissenters, religious communities fade.

Economic opportunity takes priority over religion.

The Restoration Half Way Covenant.

Middle Colonies Attracts settlers from

many different religions/areas.

First centers of major commerce. Philadelphia, NYC, Boston

Baltimore; Catholics. William Penn; Quakers.