The Regions of the BRITISH COLONIES [APUSH Review Unit 2 Topic 3] 2.3

Overview of British Colonization in North America

Introduction to the Topic

• The focus is on the development of distinct societies within British colonies in North America, despite their common British heritage.

• The discussion will begin with a comparison of different regions, starting with the Chesapeake colonies.

The Chesapeake Colonies

• Jamestown was established in 1607 as the first North American colony funded by a joint stock company, marking a shift from state-sponsored to private funding for colonization.

• Investors pooled resources to share financial risks; profits were shared among them while losses were mitigated through collective investment.

• Initial struggles included famine and disease, leading to cannibalism among settlers due to their focus on gold rather than sustenance.

• The cultivation of tobacco introduced by John Rolfe in 1612 became a crucial economic driver for the colony, saving it from collapse.

• Increased demand for land for tobacco farming led to conflicts with Native Americans, resulting in violent retaliations against encroachments.

Bacon's Rebellion

• Nathaniel Bacon led an uprising against Governor William Berkeley’s neglect towards Indian violence and elite planters' interests.

• This rebellion highlighted tensions between poor farmers and wealthy planters, prompting elites to seek new labor sources due to fears of further uprisings.

Transitioning to New England Colonies

• In contrast, New England colonies were settled by Pilgrims in 1620 followed by Puritan settlers seeking both economic opportunities and religious autonomy.

• Contrary to popular belief, Pilgrims primarily emigrated for economic reasons rather than solely for religious freedom; they initially settled in Holland before moving due to economic difficulties.

Colonial Development in the Caribbean and Middle Colonies

The Rise of Cash Crops in the Caribbean

• The first permanent colonies in the Caribbean were established on islands like Saint Christopher, Barbados, and Nevis, benefiting from warm climates that allowed for long growing seasons.

• Initially, tobacco was the primary cash crop; however, by the 1630s, sugarcane became more profitable. This shift led to a significant increase in demand for African enslaved labor.

• By 1660, the majority of Barbados' population was Black due to this demand. Consequently, planter elites implemented harsh slave codes that defined enslaved individuals as chattel property.

Societal Structures and Governance in South Carolina

• South Carolina colonists sought to replicate the plantation society of the British West Indies on the mainland, adopting similar practices regarding slavery and governance.

Economic Development in Middle Colonies

• New York and New Jersey developed an export economy based on cereal crops due to their coastal locations and numerous rivers.

• These colonies had a diverse population but saw increasing inequality with an emerging elite class structured hierarchically: wealthy merchants at the top, followed by middle-class artisans and unskilled laborers at the bottom.

Pennsylvania's Unique Foundation

• Pennsylvania was founded by Quaker William Penn who promoted religious freedom and negotiated land rights with Native Americans rather than resorting to violence.

Democratic Governance Across Colonies

• Despite being British colonies, they exhibited distinct societies with democratic systems of governance due to geographical distance from Britain.

• Virginia's House of Burgesses served as a representative assembly capable of levying taxes and passing laws. In New England, Pilgrims organized their government through town meetings based on self-governing church models.