Unit 4: Colonies Colonial America 1
Colonization of America As the European explorers claimed the vast lands of North America, they began to establish permanent colonies. Some colonies were established for economic reasons and some colonies were established for religious reasons. The first English colony to be established in the New World was on the island of Roanoke just off the coast of present day North Carolina. England established the Roanoke Island colony for economic venture. They wanted to expand trade and increase the nation s wealth. This colony, however, was plagued by shortages of supplies and unfriendly Indians. England s hopes for this new settlement ended in 1590 when ships carrying supplies from England arrived to find the colony abandoned and the settlers missing. Four hundred years later, historians still do not agree on what really happened to this Lost Colony. England s next attempt at establishing a colony in 1607 was successful. Jamestown Settlement became the first permanent English settlement in North America. Like the Roanoke colony, it too was established for economic venture. A group of businessmen called the Virginia Company was granted approval by King James I to settle the new lands across the Atlantic. Under the leadership of Captain John Smith, Jamestown grew and prospered. The next successful English colony was Plymouth Colony. It was founded by a group of people called the Pilgrims in 1620. They were also called separatists because they wanted to be separate from the Church of England. Being separate meant being disobedient to the king, so to avoid religious persecution, they decided to leave England in search of a safe place to practice their religion. They set sail for America on a ship called the Mayflower and landed on the shores of what is now the state of Massachusetts. Ten years later a religious group called the Puritans left England for America and settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony to avoid religious persecution. Unlike the Pilgrims, they did not want to be separate from the Church of England. Instead they tried for many years to change it. When they finally realized that change was not taking place, they too began to look across the ocean for a safe place to practice their religion. Like the Pilgrims before them, they settled in what is now the state of Massachusetts. About fifty years later in the 1680s, the colony of Pennsylvania was settled by a group of people called Quakers looking for religious freedom. The Quakers were not well liked in England, and like the Pilgrims and the Puritans, they set sail across the ocean looking for a safe place to practice their religion without interference. The last American colony called Georgia was founded almost forty years later in 1733. It was settled by people who had been imprisoned in England for not paying their debts. They came to the New World with hopes of economic freedom and a new life. Colonial America 2
Colonies & Reasons for Establishment SOL USI. 5a 1. Roanoke Island ( ) Established as an venture. 2. Jamestown was the first settlement in North America. It was an venture by the company. 3. Plymouth Colony was settled by from the Church of who wanted to avoid religious. 4. Massachusetts Bay Colony was settled by the for reasons. 5. Pennsylvania was settled by the, who wanted to have freedom to practice their without interference. 6. Georgia was settled by people who had been in prison in. They hoped to experience freedom and a new life in the New World. Colonial America 3
Roanoke Colony/ Year Founder Reason Country: 1584 Leader: Jamestown Country: Leader: Plymouth Country: Group: Massachusetts Bay Country: Group: Pennsylvania Country: Group: Georgia Country: Group: Colonial America 4
Thirteen Colonies Map Colonial America 5
NEW ENGLAND COLONIES Geography and Climate - The New England colonies were located on wooded hills between the Appalachian Mountains on the west and the rugged Atlantic coastline on the east. The climate of this region was harsh with short, moderate summers and long, cold winters. Farming was difficult due to the short growing season and the thin rocky soil. Resources and Specialization - In order to make a living, many colonists in New England turned to their natural resources. Numerous natural harbors and the dense forests of this region caused the New Englanders to specialize in shipbuilding, fishing, and naval supplies. Bustling port cities grew up around the harbors of the region. Boston Harbor became a prosperous center of commerce in New England. In these busy port cities many colonists also made a living as skilled craftsmen and shopkeepers resulting in another resource for this colony: a human resource. Social Life - In the areas surrounding these busy port cities, colonists lived in smaller villages and towns where the church was the center of their day to day life. Many of the settlers of this region had tried and failed to reform the Church of England before setting sail for the New World. Others, called separatists, had simply wanted to separate themselves from the Church of England and worship as they chose. Political Life - The political life of the New England colonies revolved around the town meeting. These meetings were first held in churches by church leaders. Colonists would attend to hear and discuss the daily issues of village life. Later the meetings moved outside the church building and became the village political body. Citizens would meet to elect officers, set taxes, and settle community problems. Interdependence As resourceful as the New England colonies were, they still depended on the other colonies for goods and services. From the Southern Colonies they received raw materials such as cotton. The Middle Colonies supplied the New England Colonies with items such as grain and livestock. Colonial America 6
Factors that shaped colonial America SOL USI. 5b NEW ENGLAND Resources: Natural resources included,,. Human Resources included,,. Geography and Climate: Appalachian Mountains,, terrain, soil, coastline. Moderate and cold. Specialization: Fishing,,, naval supplies and. Examples of Interdependence: Depended on colonies for materials such as and on the Middle Colonies for and. Social/Political and as center of life. reformers and separatists. Civic Life- Colonial America 7
MID-ATLANTIC COLONIES Geography and Climate To the south of the New England colonies were the Mid-Atlantic colonies. This region was also located between the Appalachian Mountains on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. The Mid-Atlantic climate was moderate with warm summers and mild winters. Wide, deep rivers flowed through the rich soil of coastal lowlands and emptied into many natural harbors and bays. Resources and Specialization The rich soil of this area produced good farmlands where colonists grew grain and raised livestock. In addition, the rivers, harbors, and bays allowed many colonists to make a living as fishermen. Others became skilled workers such as carpenters or cobblers or unskilled workers such as farm laborers. Social Life The people of the Mid-Atlantic colonies lived in small villages and bustling cities. The lifestyles of the people were very diverse -- they practiced many religions, spoke many languages, and came from many countries other than England such as Germany, Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands. Political Life - The political life of the Mid-Atlantic colonies revolved around market towns. These towns provided a center for trade and services on which the people of the surrounding countryside depended. People came together in market towns to buy, sell, and discuss the daily issues of the community. Interdependence Being located between the New England Colonies and the Southern Colonies made it possible for the Mid-Atlantic Colonies to interact with both. In this way the Mid-Atlantic Colonies were able to trade for the products they needed but did not produce or make themselves. Colonial America 8
Factors that shaped colonial America SOL USI. 5b Mid-Atlantic Resources: Natural resources included farmlands,. Human Resources included and skilled workers,, and. Geography and Climate: Appalachian Mountains,, and bays, and wide and deep rivers. Mild and climate. Specialization:,, and fish. Examples of Interdependence: Depended on the Southern colonies for, rice,,, and forest products. Traded with New England for and equipment. Social/Political and, with varied and lifestyles. Many. Civic Life- Colonial America 9
SOUTHERN COLONIES Geography and Climate To the south of the Mid-Atlantic colonies were the Southern colonies. This region was also located between the Appalachian Mountains on the west and the Atlantic Ocean on the east. Its humid climate included mild winters and hot summers. The land of this region included the rolling hills of the Piedmont and the flat land of the Atlantic Coastal Plain. Numerous rivers flowed across the area and emptied into good harbors along the Atlantic coast. Resources and Specialization Due to the abundance of rich soil, small farms and large farms called plantations prospered in the South. Wealthy plantation owners grew huge amounts of cash crops such as tobacco, rice, cotton and indigo. Cash crops were grown to be sold. Other crops were grown to feed a farmer s livestock and family. Because of their size, plantations needed a large, cheap workforce. To solve this problem, southern plantation owners began to use indentured servants and enslaved African Americans to do the backbreaking work in the fields. Indentured servants were usually young European men who agreed to work for a planter for a number of years in exchange for passage to the New World. Unlike enslaved African Americans who were owned for life, indentured servants were usually free within four to seven years. This region also benefited from natural resources such as rivers, harbors and dense southern forests. These forests provided wood products like lumber, which were used to build homes, businesses, and ships. Social Life Social life in the southern colonies was very different from the New England and Mid-Atlantic regions. There were very few villages, towns or cities. Instead, the plantation was often the center of social and economic activities. In the center of the plantation stood the elaborate mansion, or Big House, which was surrounded by stables, barns, kitchens, and slave quarters. There were also very few schools in the southern colonies. Children were often educated at home by their parents or private tutors. In the area of religion, the Church of England became the established church throughout much of the southern colonial region. Political Life The political life of the Southern colonies revolved around the local seat of government called the county. Each county set up an area court four times a year to settle community problems. The sheriff was the main officer of the county and was appointed by the Governor of the colony. Interdependence The Southern Colonies specialized in agriculture and did not produce everything they needed. These colonies depended on the New England colonies for manufactured goods, including tools and equipment. Colonial America 10
Factors that shaped colonial America SOL USI. 5b Southern Resources: Natural resources included land,, harbors. Human Resources included and, African Americans, and. Geography and Climate: Appalachian Mountains, Atlantic Coastal Plain, good and. climate with mild winters, and summers. Long growing season. Specialization:,, and products. Examples of Interdependence: The Southern colonies depended on the colonies for goods, including tools and equipment. Social/Political (slavery), mansions, indentured servants, cities, few schools. Church of. Civic Life- Colonial America 11
Social Groups in Colonial America Life was different in the three colonial regions. People s lives were different, too. In fact, the colonies were made up of different people whose lives varied depending on their social position. How were the lives of large landowners, farmers, artisans, women, free African Americans, indentured servants, and enslaved African Americans different in colonial America? One of the wealthiest social positions in colonial America was held by large landowners called planters. These powerful men lived mainly in the southern colonies and were usually well educated. They owned huge farms called plantations. These impressive plantations were filled with barns, stables, gardens, wells, workshops, kitchens, mills, and slave quarters. A planter s home was just as impressive as the property around it. To keep these farms running smoothly, planters needed huge numbers of low cost laborers to work in fields that stretched as far as the eye could see. Indentured servants and enslaved African Americans provided the cheapest labor. Farmers held another social position in colonial America. These men, although they were not wealthy like the planters, were often respected members of the community. They farmed the land of their region and often depended on family members for labor. Artisans were another social class in colonial America. These craftsmen, which included silversmiths, carpenters, masons, shipwrights, coopers, bakers, butchers, blacksmiths, tailors, and shoemakers, often lived above their shops. These shops were located in villages, towns, cities, and even plantations. Although not as wealthy as the large landowners, these men held respectable positions in colonial society. Colonial America 12
A fourth social class included women. In colonial America a woman s main roles were homemaker and caretaker. Her days were filled with difficult and exhausting work such as cooking, cleaning, laundering, making clothing and household goods like soap, caring for children, doctoring the sick, and tending livestock and kitchen gardens. Colonial women, whether rich or poor, had few privileges. They were often not given the opportunity to go to school and were not allowed to vote. Free African Americans made up a smaller social group in Colonial America. They had more economic freedom than both the indentured servants and the enslaved African Americans. They could work for pay and decide how to spend the money they earned. They were also allowed to own land. Free African Americans, however, were not allowed to vote. A less respected social class in colonial America consisted of indentured servants. Indentured servants were usually young men and women who wanted to go to the colonies but did not have enough money. They would agree to work without pay for the person who paid for their passage. They often worked as laborers, field hands, craftsmen, and housekeepers and were given their freedom at the end of their contract. The least respected social class was the enslaved African American. These men and women were captured in their native country and sold to slave traders. They were then shipped from Africa to the colonies. Once in America, they were sold into slavery. Unlike indentured servants, enslaved African Americans were owned for life. They were considered the property of their owner and were given no rights or opportunities for an education. Children of enslaved African Americans were also born into slavery. Colonial America 13
Large Landowners Lived predominately in the Relied on and/or for labor. Were in some cases Farmers Worked the land according to the Relied on members for labor Artisans Worked as in towns and on plantations Lived in small and Women Worked as caretakers, house-workers, Could not Had few chances for an Free African Americans Were able to land Had more freedom and could work for pay and decide how to their money Not allowed to Indentured Servants Consisted of and who did not have money for passage to the colonies and who agreed to work without for the person who paid their passage Were at the end of their Enslaved African Americans Were in their native and sold to slave traders, then were shipped to the where they were sold into Were owned as for life with rights Were often into slavery (Children of enslaved African Americans were born into slavery) Colonial America 14
Colonial Social Groups Characteristics Colonial America 15
Study Guide for New England, Mid-Atlantic, and Southern Colonies Performance Task Colonies New England Mid- Atlantic Southern Resources Natural resources: e.g., timber, fish, deep harbors Human resources: e.g., skilled craftsmen, shopkeepers, shipbuilders Capital resources: e.g., tools, buildings Natural Resources: e.g., rich farmlands, rivers Human resources: e.g., unskilled and skilled workers, fishermen Capital resources: e.g., tools, buildings Natural resources: e.g., fertile farmlands, rivers, harbors Human resources: e.g., farmers, enslaved African Americans Capital resources: e.g., tools, buildings Geography and Climate Appalachian Mountains, Boston harbor, hilly terrain, rocky soil, jagged coastline Moderate summers, cold winters Appalachian Mountains, coastal lowlands, harbors and bays Mild winters and moderate climate, wide and deep rivers Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont, Atlantic Coastal Plain, good harbors and rivers Humid climate with mild winters and hot summers Specialization Examples of Interdependence Social/Political Fishing, shipbuilding, naval supplies, metal tools and equipment Livestock, grains, fish Tobacco, rice, cotton, indigo, forest products (lumber, tar, pitch) The New England colonies depended on the Southern colonies for crops such as tobacco, rice, cotton, and indigo, and for forest products such as lumber, tar, and pitch. They depended on the Mid- Atlantic colonies for livestock and grains. The Mid-Atlantic colonies traded with the Southern and New England colonies to get the products they did not produce. The Mid-Atlantic colonies depended on the Southern colonies for tobacco, rice, cotton, indigo, and forest products. They traded with the New England colonies for metal tools and equipment. The Southern colonies depended on the New England colonies for manufactured goods, including metal tools and equipment. They depended on the Mid-Atlantic colonies for grains and other agricultural products not plentiful in the South. Villages and churches were centers of life. Religious reformers and separatists Civic life: town meetings Villages and cities, varied and diverse lifestyles, diverse religions Civic life: market towns Plantations (slavery), mansions, indentured servants, fewer cities, fewer schools, Church of England Civic life: counties Terms to know for each quiz: Resources: natural, capital, or human Specialization: Focusing on one or a few products. Specialization caused the colonies to be interdependent. Interdependence: Two or more people depending on each other for goods and services Colonial America 16
Study Guide for Colonial America Test Colonies and the reasons they were established Roanoke Island (Lost Colony) was established as an economic venture. Jamestown Settlement, the first permanent English settlement in North America (1607), was an economic venture by the Virginia Company. Plymouth Colony was settled by separatists from the Church of England who wanted to avoid religious persecution. Massachusetts Bay Colony was settled by the Puritans to avoid religious persecution. Pennsylvania was settled by the Quakers, who wanted freedom to practice their faith without interference. (religious freedom) Georgia was settled by people who had been in debtors prisons in England. They hoped to experience economic freedom and start a new life in the New World. Study Strategy: Create a three-column chart. In one column place the colony name. In the second column place the name of the person/people who established the colony. In the third column place the reason for establishment. Colonial America Social Groups Large landowners Lived predominately in the South Relied on indentured servants and/or enslaved African Americans for labor Were educated in some cases Had rich social culture Farmers Worked the land according to the region Relied on family members for labor Artisans Worked as craftsmen in towns and on plantations Lived in small villages and cities Women Worked as caretakers, house-workers, and homemakers Were not allowed to vote Had few opportunities for getting an education Free African Americans Were able to own land Had economic freedom and could work for pay and decide how to spend their money They were not allowed to vote Indentured servants Were men and women who did not have money for passage to the colonies and who agreed to work without pay for the person who paid for their passage Were free at the end of their contract Enslaved African Americans Were captured in their native Africa and sold to slave traders; then were shipped to the colonies where they were sold into slavery Were owned as property for life without any rights. Were often born into slavery (Children of enslaved African Americans were born into slavery.) Study Strategy: Create flash cards (paper or electronic). Place the social group name on one side. On the other side, place all the characteristics of the social group. Practice one card at a time until you can do them all without looking. Colonial America 17
Terms to know Resources: natural provided by nature, capital made by people, or human things people did Specialization: Focusing on one or a few products Interdependence: Two or more people depending on each other for goods and services Essential Knowledge Colonies New England Mid- Atlantic Southern Resources Natural resources: timber, fish, deep harbors Human resources: skilled craftsmen, shopkeepers, shipbuilders Capital resources: tools, buildings Natural Resources: rich farmlands, rivers Human resources: unskilled and skilled workers, fishermen Capital resources: tools, buildings Natural resources: fertile farmlands, rivers, harbors Human resources: farmers, enslaved African Americans Capital resources: tools, buildings Geography and Climate Appalachian Mountains, Boston harbor, hilly terrain, rocky soil, jagged coastline Moderate summers, cold winters Appalachian Mountains, coastal lowlands, harbors and bays Mild winters and moderate climate, wide and deep rivers Appalachian Mountains, Piedmont, Atlantic Coastal Plain, good harbors and rivers Humid climate with mild winters and hot summers Specialization Fishing, shipbuilding, naval supplies, metal tools and equipment Livestock, grains, fish Tobacco, rice, cotton, indigo, forest products (lumber, tar, pitch) Examples of Interdependence Depended on Southern colonies for crops such as tobacco, rice, cotton, and indigo, and for forest products such as lumber, tar, and pitch. Depended on Mid-Atlantic colonies for livestock and grains. Depended on Southern colonies for tobacco, rice, cotton, indigo, and forest products. Depended on New England colonies for metal tools and equipment. Depended on New England colonies for manufactured goods, including metal tools and equipment. Depended on Mid-Atlantic colonies for grains and other agricultural products Social/Civic or Political Social: Villages and churches were centers of life. Religious reformers and separatists Civic life: town meetings Social: Villages and cities, varied and diverse lifestyles, diverse religions Civic life: market towns Social: Plantations (slavery), mansions, indentured servants, fewer cities, fewer schools, Church of England Civic life: counties Study Strategy: Make a T Chart for the social/civic and political life. Make a matching activity for resources. Write out the connection between each colony s specialization and the other colonies interdependence. Make one flash card for geography and one for the climate of each colonial region. Colonial America 18
Whole Unit Review: Go to http://www.solpass.org/us1.php Find our school (Tabb MS). Password: tabbtigers Colonial America 19
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