Protestant Reformation
• Queen Elizabeth I, takes throne, rivalry with Catholic Spain take off
• Ireland is the playing field for the rivalry.
• English see the Irish as “savage” natives
Roanoke Island
• 1585- Sir Walter Raleigh
• Colony is a HUGE failure, especially juxtaposed to Spain’s successes.
• Spain now overconfident wants to attack
1588
• The powerhouse Spanish Armada fails to invade England.
• Marks the beginning of the end of Spanish domination
The Foundations of an Empire
• England– Established itself as #1 sea
power in world
– Huge surges in nationalism
– A measure of religious unity
The Foundations of an Empire• Late 1500’s- Econ depression
hits wool industry- • Primogeniture laws- oldest son
inherits the land.• Forces ambitious people to
find fortunes else where. • Early solo attempts by singular
enterprises are futile
Economic Strength in Numbers
• Formation of Joint Stock Companies- allows investors to pool their money together
Virginia Company of London• Receives charter from King
James I. • Charter- guarantees the settlers
the same ENGLISH rights that they had at home.
• JSC- only interested in profits- companies are not meant to be long term- get rich quick
• No intention of settling• If there is no money, sell the
company, and forget about the settlers.
Virginia Company of London • 1st landing- Natives attack
them• Going north, the settlers
found the James River• 1607- Jamestown is
established is the first ENGLISH colony in North America
• The Pros and Cons
Jamestown
• Location- no Native settlements in area.
• This is because– 1.Poor water supplies
– 2. Malaria ridden
Jamestown • Large population of
gentlemen• Gents- don’t work• Gents- look for gold
that isn’t there.• Main concern is get
rich fast
John Smith
• Not a gentleman • Many among the voyage
disdain him • Had voted to execute them
upon landing in Jamestown• But- opened box, company
leaders had selected him as a leader of the colony
John Smith • 1607- captured by chief
Powhatan • Mock execution• Pocahontas “saves” him• Native perspective-
ceremony symbolizes that English acknowledge the Powhatan tribe’s power, and work with them.
He who shall not work, shall not eat• 1608- Smith takes over, brings
discipline and militaristic approach to colony.
• Methods of diplomacy with Natives- accept our trade conditions or we will attempt to take it.
• Starving time- Winter -1609-1610
• 90% mortality rate• Why- Powhatan tribe, surrounds
village, won’t allow the English to trade with others.
• 60 colonists remain
1610
• New governor arrives with new shipment of supplies and people
• Lord De La Warr• More militaristic
approach to colony and Natives.
1st Anglo Powhatan War 1610-1614
• LDLW- total war to Natives
• Burns food supplies and villages
• Marriage of John Rolfe and Pocahontas seals “peace”
2nd Anglo Powhatan War 1644-46• Native attacks force
Virginia into a war without peace.
• Ends any chances of the two groups assimilating
• Begin policy of removing Natives from ceremonial lands
• 1685- English consider the Powhatans extinct.
Native and Settler Relationships• Horses- allow plains Indians to thrive• Coastal tribes pushed inland, these tribes grow in strength • Interior tribes strength forces colonists traveling into the
frontier to go “Native”• New economy- barter and trade
Native and Settler Relationships
• Part of the economy, but English have all the control
• Dependency on new technologies destroys culture
• Disease kills most tribal elders, who maintain tribal histories and cultures
• Guns pit tribes against one another over best hunting grounds