Ch 2 HIST 109

Beginnings of English America

Introduction to the Course

• Professor Cado introduces the course, focusing on Chapter Two: "Beginnings of English America," covering 1607 to 1660.

• Emphasizes understanding broader concepts rather than memorizing dates or names.

Terminology and Key Concepts

• Discusses interchangeable terms for Native Americans, including "indigenous peoples" and "natives," highlighting the importance of inclusivity in language.

• Encourages students to focus on key terms during lectures, stressing the significance of understanding their context (who, what, where, when, why).

Focus Questions for Understanding

• Introduces four thematic questions for consideration throughout the lecture:

• Challenges faced by early settlers.

• Impact of tobacco on Maryland and Virginia colonies.

• Significance of the Anglo-Powhatan Wars.

• Distinctiveness of New England settlements.

Establishment of Jamestown

• On April 26, 1607, three ships carrying English colonists arrived at Chesapeake Bay; they chose a site along the James River for settlement.

• Jamestown was named after King James I and established as a venture by the Virginia Company aimed at finding gold and resources.

Early Struggles in Jamestown

• The colony faced high mortality rates due to disease and starvation; initial hopes for wealth were dashed as few settlers had agricultural skills. John Smith's military discipline helped maintain order.

• The Virginia Company shifted focus from mining to agriculture with tobacco becoming a key cash crop that attracted more settlers through land incentives known as headrights.

Relations with Native Americans

• Initial relations between settlers and Native Americans were mostly peaceful due to mutual benefits from trade; Pocahontas played a significant role in these interactions.

• Tensions escalated leading to conflicts such as the Anglo-Powhatan Wars which resulted in violence against native towns as colonists sought food supplies amidst their struggles.

The Role of Tobacco in Colonization

• Tobacco became an essential export crop by 1612; its cultivation required extensive labor leading to increased reliance on indentured servants and later enslaved Africans.

• By 1670, Virginia was exporting millions of pounds annually; this created a plantation economy dominated by wealthy landowners who relied heavily on slave labor for profitability.

Social Hierarchy Development

• A social hierarchy emerged resembling that of England: elite planters at the top followed by small farmers and laborers including indentured servants and slaves at the bottom.

Impact on Indigenous Populations

• The arrival of large numbers of English settlers led to displacement and conflict with indigenous populations who were often fragmented politically making unified resistance difficult against European encroachment.

Cultural Exchange and Conflict in Early Colonial Virginia

European Influence on Indigenous Culture

• The incorporation of European goods, such as loin cloth fabric and wampum beads, into Native American dress illustrates the cultural exchange between Europeans and indigenous populations.

• The use of iron drills by Native Americans signifies the impact of European manufacturing on indigenous practices.

Tensions Between Settlers and Indigenous Peoples

• Conflict became inevitable after English settlers established their presence in Virginia, culminating in a significant attack led by Opichkaawa in 1622.

• This attack resulted in the death of a quarter of the colony's population, marking a critical confrontation point between colonists and Native Americans.

Consequences of the 1622 Uprising

• Following retaliation against indigenous peoples, colonists declared that Native Americans forfeited their land claims due to aggression, shifting power dynamics favorably for settlers.

• The second Anglo-Powhatan War (1622) weakened indigenous resistance and led to the dissolution of the Virginia Company’s control over the colony.

Puritan Influence on New England Colonies

Characteristics of Puritan Society

• Puritans were English Protestants who sought to reform the Anglican Church; they emphasized individual congregational governance rather than hierarchical structures.

• Beliefs in predestination shaped Puritan identity, with followers believing they were chosen by God to spread their faith.

Migration and Settlement Patterns

• John Winthrop's sermon about "a city upon a hill" set expectations for Massachusetts Bay Colony as an example for other nations.

• The Mayflower Compact established self-governance among Pilgrims at Plymouth Colony, marking an early form of democratic governance.

Interactions with Native Americans

Survival Strategies and First Thanksgiving

• Local Native Americans assisted Pilgrims during their first winter by sharing food resources, leading to what is celebrated as Thanksgiving.

Economic Motivations Behind Settlement

• Many Puritans migrated not only for religious freedom but also for economic opportunities like land ownership or trade prospects.

Social Structure and Governance in New England

Community Organization

• Puritan communities were tightly knit around family units with strong male authority; women had limited legal rights but could be church members.

Political Developments

• Governance evolved from company rule to elected representatives within a legislature known as the General Court, emphasizing consent among freemen.

Evolving Concepts of Liberty

Religious Uniformity vs. Individualism

• Puritans believed that social order depended on religious uniformity; dissenters faced severe consequences including exile or execution.

Legal Framework Influences

• The Magna Carta established principles that influenced perceptions of liberty among Englishmen, asserting that even kings are subject to law.