Colonization of the

Americas

Colonization of the

Americas

England, France, & the Netherlands became involved in overseas exploration & colonization as well

Spanish empire by the 1600’s

consisted of New Spain Southern

part of North America, Caribbean

Islands New GranadaMost of Northern South America

PeruWestern South

AmericaLa Plata

Southern South America

The Spanish Colonial Class System

Peninsulares

Spanish ancestry

CreolesSpanish and

Black mixture.

MestizosSpanish

and Indian mixture

MulattosWhite

American and Black mixture

Native Indians

Black Slaves

Spain built a series of Missions across Texas, New Mexico, Arizona

& California

Gold from America made Spain the richest and most powerful country in Europe during 1500s and 1600s

Father Bartolomé de Las Casas• Believed Native

Americans had been treated harshly by the Spanish.

• Indians could be educated and converted to Christianity.

• Believed Indian culture was as advanced as European but in different ways.

1. Spaniards received a grant of land, including all people living on that land• Required Indians to pay tribute from their lands• Indians often provided personal services as well.

2. In return the conquistador was obligated to• protect his wards• instruct them in the Christian faith• defend their right to live off the land

4. Encomienda system eventually decimated Indian population. 5. The King proclaimed the New Laws (1542) supported by de Las Casas, the system gradually died out.

Samuel de Champlain founded the French colony of QuebecFrench carved out a large colony along the Mississippi River from Canada to New Orleans

New France• Settled along the St. Lawrence River• Hunters and trappers (coureurs de bois –

“runners of the woods”)• Voyageurs were people transported furs

by canoe • Established friendly relations with the

Indians• Expanded down the Mississippi River• Most largely free of government control

The Netherlands (the Dutch) allowed private companies to fund explorationThe Dutch had colonies in America & Africa, but the Dutch East India Company dominated trade in Asia

• The Dutch focused on the fur trade

• Dutch and French became rivals in the fur trade.

• Dutch & French form alliances with Native Americans—increase warfare & Iroquois (Dutch ally) defeat Hurons

New Netherland

New NetherlandSettled along the Hudson River

around what is now New YorkEstablished a busy port - New Amsterdam.Sent only a few men to settlements

–Founded Albany (New York, 1614) on the Hudson River

–New Netherland was an extension of the Dutch global trade system

The SwedishIn 1637, Sweden formed the

New Sweden Company, to set up a colony in Delaware Bay.

Their first fort was called Fort Christina, named after their queen.

The Swedish colonies were set up along the Delaware River, on land purchased from the local Native American tribes.

The Swedish were originally looking for copper, but most of their trade was for fur and tobacco.

The Swedish bought furs and tobacco from local Native American tribes, & then sent it by ship back to Sweden.

The Swedish were the first colonists in North America to build log cabins.

The Swedish

Swedish colonies in America only lasted from 1638-1655!

They realized that colonies in the New World simply weren’t worth fighting for.

Their colonies were first handed over the Dutch.

Eventually they became part of the English colonies.

The SwedishThe Swedish

English Colonies

English colonies were paid for by citizens who formed joint-stock companies

English colonies formed along the Atlantic Coast of North America by colonists motivated either by religion or wealth

The first English attempt was by Sir Walter Raleigh on the Outer Banksof North Carolina. This ended infailure and the “Lost Colony.”Colonies led by individuals failed miserably.

Jamestown1st permanent English settlement founded at

Jamestown in 1607 Had a disastrous startThanks to the Indians, they survived

Jamestown1st permanent English

settlement founded at Jamestown in 1607

Problems:

Land chosen was swampy, unfit for farming, and full of disease.

Colonists were "gentlemen", rather than farmers and workers.

Colonists spent too much time searching for gold

and silver.

JamestownWhen colonists started growing tobacco, the

colony got better. By 1620, England was importing more than 30,000 lbs of tobacco a year.

Events:1618-headright system gave colonists 50 acres

and increased immigration. Most immigrants were indentured servants. 1619-First Africans arrived, most likely as

indentured servants.

PlymouthPlymouth Colony

established in 1620Separatists(Pilgrims) -wanted to separate from the Anglican Church.

Signing the Mayflower Compact

Mayflower Compact*-since they were out of the Virginia Company's territory, 41 men drew up this agreement to outline "just and equal laws...for the general good of the colony."

Massachusetts Bay ColonyPuritans-wanted to purify & reform the Anglican Church.Beliefs: -Humans were naturally sinful-original sin

-Your fate was predetermined-predestination-Harsh punishment for drunkenness,

theft, swearing, and idleness-Ministers led congregations, not bishops

Established Massachusetts Bay Colony (Boston) in 1630

Very successful and well supplied, the colony eventually absorbed the Plymouth Colony.

13 ColoniesEngland eventually

established 13 colonies

Along the Atlantic

Coast of North America.

English explorer James Cook was the first European to make contact with Australia, New Zealand, & Hawaii

Country Reason Method

Spain God, Gold, Glory

Encomienda system to enslave native people

to provide gold and silver to the Spanish

King

France TradeFur

Trade with native people to provide

resources for French merchants

England“Mercantilism”

Land, Resources, Markets

Attract colonists to create new markets for

English merchants

Three Approaches to Colonization

Slave Trade1. First slaves were Indian captives or prisoners of war.

2. By 1700, the African slave trade flourished. Slaves came mostly from West Africa and Central Africa

3. The voyage across the Atlantic, called the Middle Passage, killed many before they arrived in America.

4. 12 million Africans taken to the Americas

5. Slavery became widespread in the Southern colonies

a. Labor intensive crops required a large workforce

b. Slaves worked on tobacco, cotton, sugar, & rice plantations with white overseers.

c. Many became artisans skilled in a trade such as blacksmithing or carpentry.

IV. Diverse Colonial Life North=CommerceA.. Port Cities-these cities grew quickly as

a result of trade. Largest colonial cities were Boston,

Philadelphia, New York, Charles Town. Most people were still small farmers who relied on barter.

B. Triangle of Trade-Trade Routes between the colonies, Europe, and the West Indies.

MercantilismA. Mercantilism-theory that a nation

becomes powerful through trade

1. England used colonies to provide products/resources they needed

2. Naval power developed to protect trade interests

3. Shipbuilding and fishing became important industries

4. Colonies created to serve as new markets for English goods

MercantilismA. English Colonists were required to purchase

mostly English products

B. Goods purchased from other countries had to be transported to England – Then shipped to the colonies on English ships

C. Goods purchased from colonies in the Caribbean had to be shipped on English ships

D. Trade was so profitable that England seldom enforced the rules – Salutary Neglect

Self-Government and the Colonies

• John Locke (1632-1704)

– Two Treatises on Government (1690)• Natural rights: life, liberty, property• Can’t morally be taken away by government• Social contract theory

– Implied contract between government and citizens– People submit themselves to follow the law for the

common good and to cultivate civic virtue– Government fails= replace government

Self-Government and the Colonies

– Montesquieu (1689-1755)• Separation of powers• Three branches of government• Checks and balances

– Voltaire (1694- 1778)• Free speech, freedom of expression and

freedom of religion

– Jean Jacque Rousseau (1712- 1778)• equality