Transcript Early Colonization

“Discovery” and Early
Colonization of America
Causes and Effects
Causes- Change and Growth in
Europe
• Growth of the nation-state in Europe
produces more wealth and power in
places like England, France, Spain
• The European Renaissance leads to new
accomplishments in the arts and sciences
• Renaissance also leads to exploration
through new technology in seafaring
(better ships and tools of navigation)
First voyages to Americas and their
effects
• Christopher Columbus first Western
European to reach Americas- he sailed for
Spain
• Once it is clear that the Americas are a
separate continent available for conquest,
many other explorers follow
• Why do they come? The 3 G’s (Gold,
Glory, God)
Early European Colonization
• Spanish colonies in Mexico and South
America based on military conquest and
mining of gold
• Latin American colonies also produce great
wealth through plantation farming
• French settlers in North America and
Canada come in search of valuable fur
trade
Important Effects of Colonies
• Columbian Exchange- trade of goods,
foods, and disease between Europe and
the Americans
• Plantation agriculture leads to growth of
slavery
• Native American populations devastated
by warfare and disease
The English Come to America
• They come to Virginia in search of land
and wealth- many small farmers in
England had lost their land to larger farms
• Many young Englishmen see American
voyage as an opportunity to improve their
lives
• Desire for religious freedom is stronger in
Massachusetts colony
Traditions of Freedom
• England, unlike other European countries,
limited the power of their monarch
• The Magna Carta (limits Kings’ power to
tax and gives people certain legal rights)
• During English colonization of Americas,
the English people fight a Civil War for
more rights and more limits on the King
Self Government in the Colonies
• In Virginia, the colonists take part in their
government in legislature (House of
Burgesses)
• Massachusetts colony founded on self
government through Mayflower Compact
• These colonies would become the two
most active when Independence struggle
begins
The Massachusetts Colony
• Notable for principles of self-government
stated in Mayflower Compact
• Looked upon themselves as creating a
model society to be an example to the
world- “Shining City Upon a Hill”
• Puritans- came to Massachusetts because
they thought the Church of England was
too close to Catholicism
Intolerance and Dissent
• Salem Witch Trials- 20 people put to death
in Massachusetts for suspected
“involvement with the devil”
• Banishment of Anne Hutchinson- woman
who spoke out against Puritan authority
• Roger Williams- founded Providence (RI)
based on ideas of religious tolerance and
fair treatment of Native Americans