The English Settle at Jamestown

The Origins of American GovernmentS. BuckCivics/American GovernmentThe English Influence:The United States was colonized by England & English government was the government most familiar to the settlersBasic Beliefs of English Government:Ordered Government:England had different levels of government, from national gov. to local gov.Each level had a specific role in the community. Limited Government:The governments power is limited/there are some things it is illegal for the gov. to do to the peopleRepresentative GovernmentThe belief that government should serve the peopleThe people express their will by holding elections and voting for public officialsImportant English Documents:The Magna Carta:King John of England angered his nobles & people by creating unfair taxes and constant military actions The nobles of England forced him to sign the Magna Carta, limiting his powerIdeas in the Magna Carta:The belief that a governments power can be limited by a written agreementThat people have certain rights that cannot be taken away by the government (example: due process of law)The Petition of Rights:Signed by King Charles IEstablished a set of rights for the people right to a jury trial, people cannot be made to house soldiers in their own homesThe English Bill of Rights:Signed by William & Mary of OrangeGave most of the ruling power to ParliamentListed rights that the government (king & parliament) that cannot be taken awayRight to a fair jury trialProtection against cruel and unusual punishments

Early Attempts at Colonization:First successful European colony was St. AugustineFounded by Spain on Florida Peninsula1578 Founding of RoanokeChartered by Queen Elizabeth IColonization attempt headed by Sir Walter Raleigh1st Attempt failed: surviving colonists returned to England2nd Attempt (1587):Leader was John White Right before the end of the first year, he returned to England to retrieve more suppliesReturned to Roanoke in 1590, colony had disappearedFrance colonizes Canada, establishing Quebec Colony

Founding of JamestownIn 1607 the English establish Jamestown, VirginiaJamestown founded by the Virginia CompanyGroups of investors who hope to profit form joint-stock companiesPoor Choice of Location for Settlement:Located on a marshland, limited clean water supplyMosquitoes bring diseaseLimited area for wide-spread agricultureNative Americans already lived therePoorly Organized ColonyGoal was to find gold, silver, and other mineral resourcesSpent time searching, not preparingLacked the skills necessary for establishing colonyDid not look for other means of economic sustainability.Unprepared for winterDid not build permanent sheltersDid not plant crops or stock food for winterThe English Settle at JamestownJohn Smith Takes Over Colonyforces colonists to farm and build permanent settlementsgets help from Powhatan IndiansIntroduces tobacco as a cash cropTobacco Requires a Supply of LaborIndentured servantspay for food, housing, and passage with laborIndentured servants and slaves provide labor for tobacco growthColonists Clash with Native AmericansColonists demand for land leads to warfare with Native AmericansColonists defeat Native Americans, force them off their landEconomic Differences Split Virginia Poor, former indentured servants demandRescuing Jamestown:Tobacco labor intensive industry, more workers needed Indentured Servants:Introduced by the Virginia Joint-Stock CompanyAny person who paid their way or the way of another, received 50 acres in the coloniesPeople would sponsor others to come to colonies to amass large plantationsPeople sponsored by another worked to pay of debtContracts of indenture usually lasted 5-10 yearsSlavery:1st Africans brought into colonies in 1619 on a Dutch shipOriginally given a contract of indenture and would earn freedomEngland would start practice of institutionalized slavery when number of indentured servants coming to colonies decreased

Indentured Servants & SlaveryClashes w/Native Americans:Colonists tried to conquer Native Americans living in areaLeaders of Jamestown demanded tributes of corn and labor from nativesSet fire to Powhatan villages & kidnapped hostagesTentative peace between Powhatan and Jamestown upon marriage of Pocahontas and John RolfeUpon Chief Powhatans death, successor leads strikes against colonists resulting in the death of 340 colonistsBacons Rebellion:Differences develop between wealthy & poor classes in the colonyNon-landholders could not voteMilitary used to protect plantations, not poor farmersNathanial Bacon leads an uprising against Governor Berkley & the VA House of BurgessBerkley refused military support to suppress wide-spread attacks by the Doeg Indians & denied frontier settlers right to voteAlthough uprising ends w/ Bacons death, King James revokes VA charter making it a royal colony

Conflict in the Virginia Colony:Who were the Puritans?Religious group who wanted to purify the Church of England of its catholic traitsHeavily persecuted in EnglandDenied the right to work Being caught practicing the religion could result in a jail sentenceEmigrated to the NetherlandsFound religious tolerance, but found area to be too immoralWanted to create a City of God where children would not be corrupted and they would be allowed to worship freelyKey Terms:Puritans: people who wanted to purify the ChurchSeparatists: puritans who wanted to separate from the Church of England and create a new religionPilgrims: puritans who wanted to leave England and create a city of God in the coloniesReasons Puritans Came to New EnglandIn 1620 a Separatist group, the Pilgrims, found colony at PlymouthThe Massachusetts Bay ColonyPuritans found colony in Massachusetts Bay, centered in BostonJohn Winthrop, a Puritan leader, wants to create City upon a HillDissent in the Puritan CommunityRoger Williams flees to Rhode Island for religious freedomAnne Hutchinson banished for speaking against churchNative Americans Resist Colonial ExpansionNative Americans help settlers survive in new environmentDisputes between Native Americans and Puritans over land, religionKing Philips WarTensions between natives and colonists grow for 40 yearsIn 1675 chief Metacom leads several tribes in King Philips WarNative Americans surrender due to casualties, disease, and famine

Puritans Create a New EnglandSettlement of the Middle ColoniesThe Dutch Found New NetherlandsDutch set up New Amsterdam as center of fur-trading colony (1625)Dutch take over New Sweden on the Delaware River (1655)British duke of York takes colony renames it New York (1664)The Quakers Settle PennsylvaniaWilliam Penn, a Quaker, founds Pennsylvania (Penns Woods)Quakers, the Society of Friends, are pacifist Protestants who:worship without formal ministersbelieve in equality, cooperation, religious tolerationDisagree with slavery & the treatment of Native AmericansTypes of Colonies:Royal colonies: (8)Under the direct control of the English monarchyThe king/queen chose the governor and council to rule the colonyEach royal colony had a bicameral (two house) legislature elected by land ownersProprietary Colonies: (3) These were given to an individual by the king/queen Had either a bicameral or unicameral legislatureGovernor and council appointed by the proprietor (owner) & approved by the king Charter Colonies: (2)Self-governed by elected governors & their bicameral legislaturesEngland and Colonies Prosper

Thirteen ColoniesFrom the 1600s to 1700s, thirteen British colonies are establishedGeorgia is founded as a debtor haven, crown assumes control in 1752Colonies export raw materials, Britain manufactures goodsMercantilism and the Navigation ActsMercantilismeconomic system to make a nation self-sufficientEngland obtains gold, silver, and establishes a favorable balance of tradeBritish pass Navigation Acts in 1651 to control colonial tradeColonial GovernmentsColonies run by a governor, who is appointed by the CrownGovernor appoints judges, oversees local assembly and tradeColonial assemblies pass laws; governors have veto powerGrowing Spirit of Self-DeterminationColonies want greater political and economic freedomThe Colonies Come of Age Even though both Northern and Southern colonies prosper, many colonists begin to question British authority.A Plantation Economy Arises in the SouthLife in a Diverse Southern Society English, German, Scots, Scots-Irish settlers; mostly small farmers Plantation owners control much of the Souths economy and politicsThe Middle PassageTriangular tradetrade between Africa, West Indies, and the coloniesMiddle passagesea route to West Indies, used to transport slavesAfricans Cope in Their New World80-90% of slaves work in fields, 10-20% as servants or artisansSlaves keep their culture alive; some resist or rebelTriangular Trade Route 1

Triangular Trade Route 2

Triangular Trade Route 2

Colonial Cities and TradeNorthern colonies develop trade-based economy, some industriesPhiladelphia becomes Britains second largest port after LondonColonial merchants trade as far away as CaliforniaNorthern colonies attract Jews, Dutch, Germans, and othersFarming in the NorthNorthern farms produce varied cash crops, use less slave laborSlavery and anti-black prejudice exist in the NorthThe EnlightenmentEuropean Ideas Inspire the ColonistsRenaissance scientists look for rational explanation of worldDiscover that the earth revolves around the sun & Newtons absolute laws of gravitational forcesEnlightenmentintellectual movement that values reason and scienceBegins in FranceLeaders: Jean Jacques Rousseau, Baron de Montesquieu, VoltaireBelieves social problems can be fixed using scientific methodArgued that people had certain natural rights that gov could not take awayTwo Important Effects of Enlightenment:Challenged the authority of absolute governmentsFurther weakened the authority of the ChurchBenjamin Franklin, colonial politician, embraces Enlightenment ideasThe Great AwakeningReligious RevivalsPuritans lose influence in MassachusettsReasons for loss of influence:Salem Witch Trials cause disillusionment with Puritan ChurchWide-spread immigration to New England of non-puritansGreat Awakeningrevivals to restore Puritan dedication and intensityJonathan Edwards preaches people are sinful; must seek Gods mercyGreat Awakening revives religion, leads many to change congregationsExamples of New Protestant Denominations Created:BaptistMethodistEffects of the Great AwakeningBoth movements lead people to question authority Stressed the worth of the individualBelief that people have certain God given rightsThe French and Indian WarProblems Between Britain and FranceFrance and Britain fight three inconclusive wars in 1600s and 1700sFrench and Indian Warconflict between France & England reignites in colonies in 1754Rivals for an EmpireFrench colony based on fur trade, allies with Native AmericansEnglish colonists pushing over Appalachian Mts into Ohio River ValleyFrance claims Ohio River Valley as their territoryEngland orders colonists to stop, they ignore the OrderWar EruptsFrench build Fort Duquesne in land claimed by Virginia (Ohio Valley)Colonial militia from Virginia sent in to protect colonists & remove French from Fort DuquesneFrench crush Virginia militia under George Washington in 175417551756, French and allies continue to defeat British militiaBritain Defeats an Old EnemyBritish troops capture Quebec in a surprise attack in 1759William Pitt, British politician, leads Britain to victoryTreaty of Paris ends war (1763), France gives up almost all its landProclamation of 1763Purpose of the Proclamation:Due to Native American rebellion, England decided they could not protect colonists on the frontierProclamation barred settlement west of the Appalachian MountainsFur Traders had to obtain royal permission to enter areaProblems of the Proclamation:England unable to enforce itColonial government would not enforce it & encouraged settlement in those areaSettlers continued to pour west of the mountainsEnglish Response:England sends 10,000 soldiers to colonies in an attempt to stop the migrationColonial Taxation BeginsGeorge III becomes king, believes colonies are out of controlColonies refused to send militias (volunteer Army) to support the French & Indian WarGeorge III believe that colonies should pay for the war, as it was for their protectionEngland levies a series of taxes in the ColoniesSugar Act of 1764Set a duty (import tax) on sugar, molasses, & other listed items brought into the colonies from the West IndiesLaw was strictly enforced by English customsAny ship could be searched for contraband w/o a warrantViolation of act resulted in trial by an English judge (no jury)Stamp Act of 1765Levied a tax on all printed items such as newspapers, playing cards, legal documentsAll materials had to be stamped w/a seal indicated the tax had been paidColonial Response to TaxesColonists had serious objections to the taxesTaxes hurting colonial merchants & business ownersTax was passed by Parliament w/o colonial approvalVAs House of Burgesses passed a law condemning the acts (May 1765)Colonists Organized to Repeal TaxesMerchants signed nonimportation agreements promising not to buy imported goodsPublic demonstrations against acts August 1765, mob invades offices of two stamp agents, destroying public documents & burning effigies/agents resign across the coloniesCreation of the Sons of Liberty in Bostona secret society who used meetings, pamphlets, & petitions to force Parliament to repeal the Stamp ActSamuel Adams one of the leaders of the Sons.Daughters of Liberty organized to make colonial cloth & boycotts English clothRepeal of the Stamp ActOctober 1765, meeting of the Stamp Act CongressDelegates from 9 colonies traveled to EnglandInformed Parliament & George III that they were loyal to the crown, but sought the repeal of the Stamp ActArgued that Colonies should have a voice in the ParliamentReaffirmed that by Englands own law, taxes could not be levied w/o representationEnglish merchants also wanted tax revoked due to colonial boycottStamp Act repealed March 1766Parliament passed the Declaratory Act of 1766England had the right to assert the full power & authority of Parliament to make laws regarding the colonies & bind the colonies of AmericaRefused the colonies the right to a representative in ParliamentThe Townshend Acts. 1767Placed an import duty on selected items as they entered the coloniesItems included:TeaLeadGlassDyesGave customs officials the use of special Writ of Assistance, search warrantsCould search any colonial property on the suspicion it contained smuggled goodsColonial Response to Townshend Acts:Colonial courts refused to issue the writsPublic demonstration became commonplace in the citiesBoycott of imported goods, especially teaEngland sends in more troops to enforce the ActsGreater Colonial UnrestGreatest protests originate from Boston & New YorkMassachusetts Legislature sends letter to Parliament protesting Townshend Acts & arguing for No Taxation w/o RepresentationParliament dissolves Massachusetts Legislature & sends more troopsCrown passes the Quartering Act of 1765 requires colonial families to house British soldiers sent to enforce actsQuartering Act & the dissolving of MA legislature fuels colonial opposition to EnglandColonists begin drinking coffee instead of teaWoman conduct spinning parties to make cloth Demonstrators board English ships & destroy goodsCustoms officials attackedInformants tarred & featheredThe Boston MassacreOccurs on March 5,1770Small group of soldiers guarding a Boston customs houseGroup of 50-60 demonstrators gather, yelling insults, throwing snowballs, rocks, oyster shells at soldiersEnglish soldier thinks he hears the word Fire & begins shooting into the crowd5 colonists killed, including Crispus Attuks, a freed slave & member of the Sons of LibertySoldiers brought to trial for murder Josiah Quincy & John Adams defend themargue that they deserve a fair trial even if it is a right refused to the colonistsTwo soldiers convicted of lesser crimes & branded on the hand

Boston Tea PartyParliament passes the Tea Act of 1773British East India Co. nearing bankruptcyWas the largest importer of tea in British EmpireParliament passes an act allowing the company to sell directly to the colonies, lowering price of teaColonists feared it would create a monopolyThe Boston Tea Party:December 16, 1773, the Sons of Liberty dress up as Indians & board the tea ships anchored in Boston HarborDumped 90,000 lbs of tea into the harborGreat Britain RespondsBoston Tea Party angers English governmentParliament passes the Coercive ActsFour laws designed to punish the Massachusetts colony & reassert control over all the coloniesColonists call them the Intolerable ActsThe Intolerable Acts included:Boston ports closed until they pay for the tea destroyed on Dec. 16thMAs charter revokedMAs colonists forbidden to hold town meetings, the basis for their governmentRoyal officials & soldiers who commit crimes in the colonies will be returned to England for trialRe-established the Quartering ActThe First Continental CongressMet in Philadelphia from 9/5 10/26 1774Delegates from all colonies but Georgia attendedTopics of Discussion:Grievances w/EnglandValue of remaining part of Great Britain v. benefits of independencePassed the Declaration of Resolves:Declared that the colonies would remain loyal to EnglandOutlined the rights of the colonists as British subjectsPromised a ban on all English tradePledged to meet in May 1775 to reassess situation w/England Battles of Lexington & ConcordColonial militia gather arms & munitions in ConcordApril 18, 1775, Gen. Thomas Gage leads troops out of Boston to take munitions stores in ConcordPaul Revere & William Dawes ride out to warn the towns along the route Samuel Prescott joined laterLocal militias grabbed arms and gathered in Lexington & Concord First battle occurs in Lexington70 colonial minutemen meet 700 British soldiersBattle at ConcordMunitions stores destroyed by British & they begin return trek to BostonColonial militia begin firing from various locations along the route, killing 273 British soldiersSecond Continental CongressMeets in Philadelphia May 10th 1775-July 1776Key Issues:Whether to declare independenceDevelopment of the Continental Army/Washington elected as leaderSent the Olive Branch Petition to ask for a peaceful resolution to the growing conflict & a return to British governmentUltimately decided to Declare independence & would draft the Declaration of IndependenceDeclaration of Independence Written by Thomas Jefferson w/the help of many othersPresented to the Congress on July 2nd 1776/Adopted July 4thDeclaration of IndependenceJune 7, 1776, Richard Henry Lee introduces resolution to declare independence5 man committee selected to develop the DeclarationThomas Jefferson appointed to draft a formal declaration of independence from EnglandJune 28th, presented to Congress for reviewJuly 2nd, adoption of Lees resolutionJuly 4th, Congress adopts the Declaration of IndependenceComponents of the Declaration:Preface: states the purpose of the documentList of Grievances: states the complaints the colonies have w/ the English governmentColonial Resolution, formally declaring the separation of the colonial government from EnglandRevolutionary War at a GlanceInitially, Colonies did not do well against the better trained & supplied British forcesNew York, Charleston, Boston, etc fall under British control Losses high for both sidesWinter at Valley Forge, extremely difficult for Continental ArmyColonists RallyVictory at Trenton, NJ 1st for Continental ArmyVictory at Saratoga, NYFrance joins fight, Marquis de Lafayette brings supplies & trained troopsFrance declares war w/Great Britain, England now fighting two front war (in Europe & Americas)More Victories for ColoniesKings Mountain, SC weakens Englands troops under Gen. CornwallisFinal victory at Yorktown, Cornwallis surrenders

Problems The Revolutionary WarStates were under no obligation to provide supplies to the Continental ArmyAt encampments disease was constant threat due to poorly prepared food & contaminated water suppliesDysentery, a preventable disease, killed more soldiers than the fightingShortage of trained troopsSeldom more than 16,000 troops available nationwideShort tours of duty, ranging from 3 months to 1year Soldiers tended to go home during harvest & planting seasonState militias refused the command of Continental Army leadersTreaty of Paris 1783United States sends Benjamin Franklins, John Jay, & John Adams to negotiate peace w/EnglandTreaty of Paris signed September 3,1783Provisions of treaty:United States gains independence from EnglandLands from the Atlantic Ocean to Mississippi River & from the Great Lakes to Florida go the USAUSA gains fishing rights to Great Lakes, Gulf of St. Lawrence & off NewfoundlandUSA must pay debt owned to EnglandAll property seized from loyalists will be returned