English Colonies

English Colonization

• 1st Looking for gold- Jamestown-

• 2nd Great Migration

• 3rd Headright system

• 4th Mercantilism

• 5th Colonialism

• 6th Indentured Servitude

Indentured Servitude

• About 75% of English came as Indentured Servants

• Signed a contract to work for a ride to America.– 4-7 year contract– Still pay for food, drink and clothing– Many died before term was finished– Both White and African held these contracts

Indentured Servitude to Slavery

• The demand for servants greater than the supply

• People began to resist working in such harsh conditions

• The Price of slaves decreased

• Wealthy planters turned to slavery by end of 1600s

New England Region

– Massachusetts, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, Connecticut

– Economy: based on trade, manufacturing, fishing and small farms

Middle Region

– New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware

– Very diverse populations

• Economy:– Large farms, staple crops, trade– Rich, fertile land inland – Focused on trade on the coasts

Southern Region

• Georgia founded for those with debt or criminal records.

• Economy- Farming, exporting and trade– Many small farms– Plantations for cash crops– Export materials for ships– Traded with Native Americans– Slavery

Religion in the Colonies

– Pilgrims to Plymouth- 1620– Puritans gained a Charter and wanted to build

an ideal Christian community (covenant).– Life was based around the family and

community• Family run farms

– No need for indentured servants

• Education important

Religion in Colonies

• Puritans were Calvinists– All humans were going to hell– Few chosen people will get salvation– Proper behavior would keep bad things from

happening to you.– The whole community had to be “good” so an

interest in what your neighbor does is part of everyday life.

Religion in the Colonies

• Catholics: Maryland in 1634– Toleration Acts protected all Christians

• Quaker: “Society of Friends”– Started in New Jersey 1681– William Penn got charter to move to P.A.– Believed in equality and were non violent

Religion in the Colonies

• The Great Awakening 1730-1740– People losing faith– Sermons that were more inspirational &

emotional would bring people back to God.– Revivals traveled around colonies– Increased communication b/w colonies

Gov’t in the Colonies

• Three Types of Colonies

• Charter Colonies- RI & CT

• Proprietor Colonies- MD, PA & DE

• Royal Colonies- MA, NH, VA, NC,SC,GA, NY, NJ

Gov’t in the Colonies

• 1) Monarch: Owns Colonies

• 2) Privvy Council: Sets policy (In England)

• 3) Governor: Carries out policies of England & final say on laws– Proprietor-elects– Charter- Legislature chooses– Royal-King chooses

Gov’t in the Colonies

• 4) Advisory Council: assists Governor

• 5) Colonial Assemblies: make laws, set policy, raise taxes– Elected– Bicameral– One house (upper) appointed by Governor– One house (lower) elected by colonists

Gov’t in the Colonies

• 1st Colonial Legislature– Jamestown-1619– Bicameral

• Upper house: Council of State• Lower House: House of Burgesses

Gov’t in the Colonies

• 6) Local AssembliesPeople meet in different size groups & at

different times based on region

A- New England Region

-Town Meetings

- meet many times a year

- talk about local issues: school, land

Gov’t in the Colonies

B- Southern Region

- County Meetings

- Meet once a year

C- Middle Colonies

- town & county meetings

Gov’t in the Colonies

• Colonial Courts– Control local affairs– Could be influenced