Colonial Beginnings

John Winthrop, Puritan leader of Massachusetts Bay Colony

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I. Causes for English Colonizing in America (See Colony Chart for quick-reference guide to colonies)

A. Fall of Spanish Armada in 1588 opened North Atlantic to English expansion
1. England infused with a spirit of self-confidence and enthusiasm for adventure.

2. England could plant, supply, and protect colonies easily.

B. Changes in English economy.

1. Rise of merchant class to provide business leadership and wealth for colonial investment.

2. Joint-stock company allowed for pooling of capital with limited risk.

3. Surplus population in cities as farmers were pushed off lands converted to sheep herding

C. Protestant Reformation

1. Priesthood of all believers inspired religious dissidents

2. Anti-"Popish" believers (Puritans) felt that the Church of England was not Protestant enough in its beliefs and practices.

3. Persecution of Puritans, Catholics, and Quakers led to conflict with religious and political authorities

4. America was seen as a desirable haven for these groups.

II. Jamestown and Virginia

A. Virginia Company received charter (guaranteeing settlers the same rights as Englishmen at home) from King James I for settlement in America (1607). Goals:
1. Gold and wealth

2. Convert Indians to Christianity

3. Find a passage to the Indies

B. Early group suffered from laziness, starvation, and malaria. Saved by leadership of John Smith and enterprise of tobacco planter John Rolfe.

1. Perfected methods of raising and curing tobacco

2. Brought capital and workers to Virginia

3. Problems with tobacco farming

a) Chained prosperity of Virginia to one crop

b) Exhausted the soil

c) Promoted large-acreage plantations which needed large amounts of cheap labor

C. Contributions of early Virginia

1. Provided model for further economic investment in America

2. First representative self-government (House of Burgesses--1619)

3. Demand for slaves (1st slaves sold by Dutch to settlers in 1619)

III. New England Colonies

A. Separatists (Pilgrims) arrived at Plymouth in 1620 on Mayflower after initial settlement in Holland.
1. Mayflower Compact--first document of self-government in America.

2. After difficult first winter (44 out of 102 survived), Pilgrims survived under the leadership of Governor William Bradford.

B. Puritans settled Massachusetts Bay in 1630 for economic and religious reasons.

1. Large numbers of middle class settlers, many of whom were educated.

2. Successful as fur traders, fishermen, and shipbuilders.

3. Great Puritan Migration of 1629-1640 brought many new settlers.

4. Ruled as 'Bible Commonwealth" with franchise restricted to male members of Puritan (later Congregational) church--probably 1/5 of adult white male population.

Feldmeth, Greg D. "U.S. History Resources"
http://home.earthlink.net/~gfeldmeth/USHistory.html (31 March 1998).

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