THE COLONIES: AN OVERVIEW

The who, what, where, when, why and the how of it all

What is a colony?• A settlement by a group of people in a

distant region/land.• Governed by their home country• The colony has some decision making

power. Usually, the home country makes important decisions……government & economy.

Colonial Empire• A group of colonies controlled by

the same home country.• Ex. Spain - much of Central and

South America (looking for gold)

• France - Canada and North America (animal pelts etc.)

• England - Atlantic coast of N.A.

Types of Colonies• Charter Colony - private

company under royal control• Proprietary - owner

controlled & owned land• Joint Stock - share the wealth

Push Factors• Economic problems• Hunger & Poverty• Homelessness• Freedoms• Overcrowded cities• Loss of farm lands• Lack of opportunity

Pull Factors• Reports of thick forests w/

game, streams w/fish, rich soil and plenty of land.

• Economic opportunity..pay off debts etc….

• Slavery

When???• Virginia - 1587 Roanoke

Island…Croatoan…

The Lost colony

• Jamestown, Virginia - 1607

• Plymouth, Massachusetts -

The Pilgrims - 1620

WHY?• King wants land & $

• Joint stock companies create charter colonies (Jamestown)

Why cont’d.• Religious

freedom/Pilgrims/Puritans• Protestant Reformation• Anglican Church/Church of

England

Economic Responsibilities to England

Colonies are meant to serve England

Or better yet….Triangular Trade

The Columbian Exchange

Economic Responsibilities to Economic Responsibilities to SpainSpain

Farms & Cities• Most were farmers• Colonial cities were small

but important as trade centers

• Cities brought in goods the colony needed and sold what the colony produced

• Mills, factories & Iron making in cities to produce for goods/trade

• Artisans - make shoes, furniture, silverware, tools etc.

• Cities near water for transportation

• Taverns - hotel/restaurant/bar & source of news etc.

Colonial Life

• Family..most important…14 people? Source of labor

• Death rate high• Marry 2 or 3 times• Women had little rights and rarely owned

property

Indentured ServantGET• Trip paid to

America • Food/lodging• Possibly learn a

trade• Free at end of

contract

Give• Signed 7-10 year

contract•Work to pay off trip

etc.

Indentured Servant

• Couldn’t pay their way to the New World• Some Africans & many poor Europeans• Look for a way to improve their life• Could be taken advantage of• Many did not survive

Colonial Government

King

Parliament – The law making group for England and it’s colonies.

Government continued

• Governor - picked by King to run colony on behalf of King

• Colonial Assemblies …became powerful and made up of colonists

• City/Local• Who could vote? • White men over 21 that owned property!!!

Salutary Neglect• In the early 1700’s England was involved

in wars & conflicts• Until 1763 England didn’t enforce trade

regulations….ignored as long as money was being made

• Colonies start to feel secure and on their own…independent?

• Each colony starts to act on it’s own

Slavery

•

Slavery• Property - treated that way too!• For life• Bought/sold at anytime/reason• Punishment & Survival