Colonization of the Americas

Europeans in the New World

European Territories in the early 1700’s

The Age of Exploration was followed by a time with many European Nations claiming large colonial empiresMotivated by Christopher Columbus and

Spain and Portugal’s early exploration success, many European countries followed Columbus to the Americas and claimed these lands for their home countries.

Settlers followed the explorers and began to set up colonies (a settlement begun by a group of people in a distant region that is governed by their home country).

Colonial Empires Spain empire was the oldest and most

extensive from CA down through Mexico and Central and South AmericaPortugal claimed nearly half of South America in a colony they called Brazil in the Early 1500’s.

A century later, France began building its colonial empire far to the north claiming most of Canada and America’s heartland. (Mississippi River Valley).

The Netherlands and England came a little late to the colonization party, but eventually did establish colonies along the Atlantic coast.

Russia settled the shores of present day Alaska for their fur trade.

Motivations for Colonization1. By far the most important motivation was that

colonies would add wealth and power to the home country.

a. Colonies seen as a source for raw materials - Spain got gold and silver from its American empire - France made a fortune selling hats made out of beaver

pelts from Americab. Colonies were also seen as a market for European goods

- shops in the American colonies had items like cloth, lace and books all made in European factories

2. Colonies helped ease overcrowding – as people shifted away from farming and moved to cities in Europe, there was an increase in the amount of poor. The colonies were seen as a place to send the poor and the religious misfits.

What motivated colonists? What would make anyone choose to leave their family, home, and country to face unknown dangers and hardships in a new country?Push Factors –factors that “push” someone away

Pull Factors – factors that draw people to a new place

1. Economic Push Factors A. Hunger, homelessness and poverty

pushed people to a new start B. Lack of opportunity in the home

country pushed people away2. Religious Push Factors A. There was religious intolerance

for anyone who did not conform to the state church teaching – whether it was Catholic or Protestant.

B. Puritans, Catholics, Quakers, Jews, Baptists and many others were treated poorly and pushed away for their differing religious beliefs.

1. Economic Pull Factors A. People believed that there was

amazing abundance in the Americas B. The soil was rich and it was said that

even the poorest people in America lived like kings

2. Religious Pull Factors A. People were pulled to the Americas

by the hope of religious tolerance

B. Puritans, Catholics, Quakers, Jews and Baptists all wanted to move somewhere they could practice their religion in peace.

More settlers came for other reasons.1. Criminals or prisoners of war from

England and Scotland could earn their release if they worked for a period of time.

2. Indentured servants who worked without pay for a certain period of time in order to “pay” for their move.

Explain the push and pull factors for the settlers above.

Still others were neither pushed nor pulled– they were kidnapped from their homeland in Africa

and brought in chains as slaves.- The Portuguese were the country who started the African slave trade – long before Columbus sailed for the Americas.- During the 1500’s, Spanish colonists started importing large numbers of Africans to work on sugar plantations.- In the 1600’s a few Africans were brought to Virginia, but after working for a time, most were set free. - As the colony grew, however, the demand for labor increased and slavery became a way of life. By the late 1600’s thousands of slaves were brought each year to the colonies and were not set free for their whole lives.

England in AmericaEngland had some early attempts to settle in the continent 1.Humphrey Gilbert claimed Newfoundland, but then he

died at sea before establishing a colony.2. Sir Walter Raleigh tried twice to set up colonies in Roanoke Island (off the coast of NC), but both failed. The second colony at Roanoke Island disappeared and were never heard from again. The Lost Colony of Roanoke Island is one of Histories Mysteries.

Back in England during this time, England and Spain were fighting over trading rivalries and over religious differences. King Philip wanted a Catholic ruler back in England and did not consider Queen Elizabeth the rightful heir to the crown. King Philip sent the Spanish Armada (fleet of ships) to overthrow England, but England defeated the Spanish Armada. With Spain no longer controlling the seas, the English were free to start colonies in the New World

The defeat of the Spanish Armada by England ended Spain’s control of the sea

The 13 ColoniesBy 1733 there were 13 English colonies

strung out along the Atlantic seaboard.We can group the colonies into different

regions based on their similarities1. New England region – Massachusetts,

New Hampshire, Connecticut, Rhode Island

2. Middle Colonies – New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Delaware

3. Southern Colonies – Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia

New England Colonies The New England Colonies lay to the north (MA, RI, NH, CT)

Hilly region, harsh climate “Rocky, barren bushy, wild woody wilderness” not good

for growing crops Pilgrims led the way with Plymouth settlement in 1620

The pilgrims did not believe in the COE and went to thee Netherlands. They left from the Netherlands and though only 35 of the original 102 passengers on the Mayflower were separatists (religious pilgrims) they were all called Pilgrims because religion shaped the way of life in this area.

The first winter more than half of all the Plymouth settlers died.

Between 1630 and 1643 more than 20,000 religious pilgrims migrated to the New England area so they could practice their Puritan beliefs.

Middle ColoniesThe Middle Colonies were located south of New

England (NY, NJ, PA, DE)This land had very fertile soilsMost people made their living by farming, but

there were a number of merchants, shippers and trades people.

Region of contrasts NY and PA were large, while NJ and DE were

small NJ and DE mostly made their livings by farming

and were flatter NY and PA backed up to the Appalachian Mtns

and were rich in timber and beavers Many different Europeans settled this land and

many languages were spoken

Southern ColoniesThe five colonies to the south (MD, VA, NC,

SC, GA) Did not have a solid coastline

Bays, swamps, tidal rivers – hard to tell where sea ends and land begins

Once inland the soils was very fertileIdeal for warm season crops like rice sugar

cane, tobaccoMany planters used slave laborMild climate