Early English Colonies

In North America

Roanoke• I. Roanoke- The Lost Colony• A. This was located in present-day North Carolina• B. England’s first attempt at establishing a colony,

led by Sir Walter Raleigh.• C. First attempt failed, so John White makes a

second attempt• D. Second attempt is a failure because when White

returned 3 years later, the colony had completely disappeared

Roanoke Founded in 1585

Modern-Day Roanoke Rapids, NC

“Croatan”Upon returning to Roanoke the only evidence of life was the word “Croatan” found carved into a tree. Scholars believe that it was a Native tribe that absorbed to remaining Colonist

II. Jamestown

A. General Information:i. This colony was located in

Virginiaii. This colony was set up by a

charter by the Virginia Company.1. a charter is: a legal document

giving a person or companyrights

B. Positives & Negatives of Colony

i. Colonist died of disease.s

ii. Many colonists died of starvation.

iii. Colonists made money by growing tobacco.

iv. Colonist had difficulty setting up in time (for winter)

v. Mosquitoes caused a nuisance.

vi. The Council set up didn’t do very well, so John Smith stepped up to save the colony (no work, no food).

C. How/Why people got to the colony:

i. The Head Right system in which colonists would pay their own way to Virginia and receive 50 acres of land.

ii. As indentured servant who would sign a contract to work 4-7 years in return for a trip to America.

D. Relationship with the Natives

• i. Established a relationship with the Powhatan Confederacy it was a love/hate relationship, meaning sometimes they worked together, sometimes they fought.

Pocahontas

Pocahontas was a real person.

She married John Rolfe (not John Smith as portrayed by Hollywood), traveled to England where this portrait was made, and later died, probably of tuberculosis.

E. Women in the Colony:

i. Women were encouraged to travel to the colony of Virginia, because it was thought they would bring more stability.

ii. Women were denied the right to vote.

Women raised families and took care of homes

F. The first Africans Arrive:

i. Dutch brought over the first Africans over in 1619.

ii.Some of the first Africans to arrive weren’t fully considered slaves, they were allowed to own land too.

G. Beginning of government in the colony

i. Male settlers were allowed to elect burgesses or representatives.

ii. These men met in an assembly known as the *House of Burgesses.

iii. This marked the beginning of *Representative Government.1. This means voters elect

people to make laws for them.

Magna Carta accepted by King John of England in 1215

iv. This idea was first seen in England with the writing of the Magna Carta

1. This document said the king could not raise taxes without consulting the Great Council.

Plymouth ColonyPlymouth

Colony 1620Mayflower Ship

Pilgrims arriving at Plymouth

III. PlymouthA. General Information

i. This was located in present day Massachussetts

ii. The colony was set up by a charter from England

iii. The people who came to this region were known as Pilgrims

i. Many died of diseases and starvation

ii. They believed strongly in their religion.

iii. They landed further north than intended, this meant weather was much colder than expected.

B. Positive and negative aspects of the colony:

C. How/Why People Got to the Colony• i. In England, these

people were known as separatists. These people wanted to separate from the Church of England. In England, they were persecuted for their views so they went to America.

Pilgrims leaving the Church of England

D. Relationship with the Natives:i. The Pemaquids and

the Wompanoags helped the colonists

ii. A Wompanoag named Squanto helped the Pilgrims a great deal

iii. To celebrate the first great harvest the Pilgrims were able to have, they set aside a day to give thanks. Today we call this Thanksgiving

Beginning of Government in Plymouth

i. Prior to arriving on land, The Pilgrims wrote the Mayflower Compact.

ii. The 41 men on the ship agreed to have fair laws, work together to make the colony successful

IV. Massachusetts Bay Colony

Puritans saw America as a land of new “opportunity”

Religion was very important to the Puritans of Massachusetts Bay

IV. Massachusetts Bay Colony

A. General Informationi. This colony was

located in Massachusetts, north of Plymouth.

ii. The colony was set up with a charter from the Massachusetts Bay Company

i. Very long journeyIi. One of the first groups to begin allowing

voting on important issues

iii. The colony established a general court.iv. Led to the large migration of Englishmen.

B. Positive and negative aspects

C. How/Why people got to the Colonyi. In England, these people were known as

Puritans. These people wanted to reform the Church of England.

ii. Eventually, these people became tired of the poor treatment by the King so they decided to leave.

iii. Some people joined the puritansto make a profit in America.

D. Beginning of Government in MA Bay

• i. John Winthrop was chosen as the first Governor and stockholders were allowed to vote.

• ii. Winthrop quickly decided more people should have a choice, so they allowed all male church members to vote.

• iii. The men later elected representatives to a General Court.