What Happened In What Happened In England ?England ?

Background information leading to the establishment of the first English Colonies in

North America

English GovernmentEnglish GovernmentEnglish Government in 1606 can

be described in a hierarchy or levels of different classes

KingNobilityGentryOrdinary People or Commoners

King James IKing James I1606 Elizabeth I diesJames becomes kingHe believes he rules because

“God” selected himHe sees self as head of

government and he only answers to himself and “God”

NobilityNobilityVery powerfulMembers of

ParliamentParliament:

group of leaders that make laws, levy taxes and collect taxes

Elected representatives of different neighborhoods

They are use to controlling the Monarch

James and Nobility have conflict over who has power

GentryGentryThis group

enforces laws of Parliament

Control different neighborhoods

Wealthy land owners who elect representatives to Parliament

3 o’clock Appointment3 o’clock AppointmentWhat is the

benefit of this relationship for the Gentry and Nobility?

How might this cause problems for others in England?

Ordinary People or Ordinary People or CommonersCommoners

Workers, farmers, craftsmenMost Englishmen worked for

other EnglishmenNo voice in Government

Rule of Common LawRule of Common LawLaw in England was based on

customs and what had been done in the past

No laws were written downParliament was allowed to interpret

custom

Rule of Common LawRule of Common LawKing also leader of ChurchNo separation of church and

stateChurch leaders also part of

Parliament“morally right” to follow

lawsConcern to keep common

people working work = God’s approval

Problems with EnglandProblems with England

Parliament and Gentry did not have to follow law

Most men worked in agricultureCan’t farm year round

No work left time to playNot proper to work all the time

12 o’clock Appointment12 o’clock AppointmentWhat predictions

can you make about the situation in England in 1606?

Problems with EnglandProblems with EnglandPopulation Explosion

◦ Too many people not enough work◦ Government tries to find jobs for

everyone◦ Everyone gets a little work, but not

enough to survive◦ Causes under employment◦ Law requires employers to hire

men for at least 1 year

Problems with EnglandProblems with EnglandNobility becomes

greedyStart buying

things they want, but don’t need

More money starts circulating

Cost of ALL goods goes up but jobs are still scarce

Leads to inflation

Inflation: Cost of living goes up, but income stays same or decreases

Problems with EnglandProblems with EnglandLarge land

owners have big problems

Land lease system: people lease land for “3 lives”

Land is leased at the same price for 75-100 years

Land owners broke so they sell their farmland

“Sheep eat Men”

Farmers out of work

Move to the city

Elizabethan Poor LawElizabethan Poor LawOutlaws

beggingAll men are

required by law to work

Colonies become a source of work