Establishment of Virginia, Tobacco, and indentured servitude Flashcards
Eastern Seaboard neglected for most of sixteenth century
slides:
-In the 16th century (1500s), French and Spanish mariners had neglected eastern seaboard of what is now the United States. Why? Deemed to cool for tropical plants (sugar), too warm for the best furs.
-England relatively late in colonization efforts, but ultimately more successful.
Some factors related to why English colonies would eventually eclipse the settlements of the Iberian colonies and France
slides:
-The appearance of new business practices (joint-stock company) with limited liability of stockholders
-A culture of technological inquisitiveness
-A climate receptive to political and economic risk taking, and
-A willingness – even eagerness – to allow the movement of people out of England
research:
The Appearance of New Business Practices (Joint-Stock Company) with Limited Liability of Stockholders
Joint-Stock Companies: These entities allowed multiple investors to pool their capital for a common purpose, spreading the financial risk associated with exploration and colonization. Investors would buy shares in the company, and their liability was limited to the amount they invested, protecting their personal assets.
Impact on Colonization: This model made it easier to fund risky ventures, such as establishing colonies in North America. Companies like the Virginia Company could raise substantial funds for ships, supplies, and settlements, which made colonial ventures more feasible and attractive to investors. The joint-stock system encouraged a broader base of participation in colonization, which was crucial for sustaining early settlements.
2. A Culture of Technological Inquisitiveness
Technological Advancements: The late 16th and early 17th centuries saw significant improvements in navigational technology, shipbuilding, and agricultural practices. Innovations such as the magnetic compass, astrolabe, and improvements in ship design (e.g., the caravel) enabled longer and safer voyages.
Impact on Exploration: This culture of inquiry and innovation spurred greater interest in exploration. As navigational techniques improved, so did the ability to reach and settle new lands. Technological inquisitiveness also fostered a mindset that valued exploration, experimentation, and adaptation—traits essential for establishing and maintaining colonies.
3. A Climate Receptive to Political and Economic Risk-Taking
Political Environment: By the late 16th century, England experienced a relative stability under the rule of Elizabeth I and subsequent monarchs, fostering a climate conducive to exploration. The defeat of the Spanish Armada in 1588 boosted national pride and confidence in English maritime capabilities.
Economic Opportunity: With rising population pressures, the English saw colonies as potential outlets for economic expansion, trade, and resources. This political and economic climate encouraged merchants, nobles, and other individuals to invest in colonization efforts, viewing them as opportunities for profit and influence.
4. A Willingness – Even Eagerness – to Allow the Movement of People Out of England
Population Pressure: England faced social and economic challenges, including population growth and limited opportunities at home. This created a desire among many to seek better prospects abroad, whether for economic gain or religious freedom.
Emigration Incentives: The English government and colonial companies often promoted emigration by offering incentives such as land grants, religious freedom, or the promise of a better life. The willingness to facilitate the movement of people helped ensure a steady flow of settlers to the colonies, which was essential for their survival and growth.
England and the Atlantic World
slides:
-Latecomers to project of colonization
-Nothing came of early exploration efforts – John Cabot, 1497.
-Later raiding of Spanish by “Sea-dogs” – Francis Drake, John Hawkins in 1560s & 1570s
-Plunder, not settlements, main goal; thin line between licensed “privateer” and piracy
-early involvement in slave trade
research:
1. Latecomers to the Project of Colonization
Delayed Initiatives: Unlike Spain and Portugal, which established extensive empires in the Americas in the late 15th and early 16th centuries, England was slow to engage in colonization. Various factors, including internal political issues, economic constraints, and a lack of resources, delayed their efforts until the late 16th century.
Initial Exploration: Early exploration efforts, such as John Cabot’s voyage in 1497, aimed to claim territories in North America but did not lead to sustained colonization. Cabot’s journey resulted in some claims to land but did not establish a lasting English presence.
- Raiding Spanish Ships: The “Sea-Dogs”
Privateering and Raids: In the 1560s and 1570s, English privateers, known as “Sea-Dogs,” emerged as significant figures in naval warfare. Notable figures like Sir Francis Drake and Sir John Hawkins engaged in raiding Spanish ships and settlements, motivated by both national rivalry and personal profit.
Plunder vs. Settlement: The primary goal of these ventures was plunder rather than the establishment of colonies. This blurred the lines between sanctioned privateering and outright piracy, as these actions were often officially supported by the English crown to weaken Spanish dominance and gain wealth. - The Thin Line Between Licensed “Privateer” and Piracy
Legal Justifications: English privateers operated under royal charters that granted them the right to raid enemy ships. While they were legally sanctioned, their methods were often similar to those of pirates, leading to a complex relationship between commerce and lawlessness.
Economic Impact: The wealth gained from these raids contributed significantly to England’s economy, fostering a sense of maritime prowess and encouraging further investment in naval exploration and eventual colonization efforts. This maritime activity laid the groundwork for future colonial ventures. - Early Involvement in the Slave Trade
Emergence of the Slave Trade: The
late 16th century saw England’s early involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Hawkins, among others, engaged in the capture and transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas, initially to supply labor for Spanish colonies.
Economic Connections: This involvement connected England to the broader Atlantic world, as the demand for labor in the sugar, tobacco, and cotton plantations fueled the growth of the slave trade. The profits from these ventures further incentivized colonization and the expansion of English influence in the Americas.
Interconnected Economies: The rise of plantation economies in the Caribbean and later in the southern colonies relied heavily on enslaved labor, creating a triangular trade system between Europe, Africa, and the Americas. This system solidified England’s economic interests in colonization, leading to the establishment of permanent settlements.
Henry VIII and break from Roman Catholic Church and establishment of the Church of England (1533)
research:
Personal Motivation:
Henry VIII, who ascended to the throne in 1509, was initially a devout Catholic. However, his desire for a male heir and his tumultuous marriage to Catherine of Aragon, who had failed to produce a surviving son, became a critical factor in his decision to break from Rome.
The Break from Rome
Marriage and Succession Crisis:
Catherine of Aragon had been married to Henry’s older brother, Arthur, before marrying Henry. The legitimacy of their marriage was called into question, particularly after Catherine bore only one surviving child, Mary. Henry sought an annulment from the Pope, hoping to marry Anne Boleyn, with whom he had fallen in love.
Papal Refusal:
Pope Clement VII faced significant political pressures, especially from Catherine’s nephew, Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, who opposed the annulment. The Pope’s refusal to grant Henry the annulment pushed the king to take drastic measures.
Acts of Parliament:
In response to the papal refusal, Henry turned to Parliament to enact a series of laws that gradually distanced England from the authority of the Pope. Key legislative actions included:
The Act of Restraint of Appeals (1533): This law prohibited appeals to the Pope in matrimonial cases, asserting that the English crown held ultimate authority in such matters.
The Act of Supremacy (1534): This act declared Henry VIII as the “Supreme Head” of the Church of England, effectively establishing a national church independent of Rome.
Establishment of the Church of England
Religious Changes:
The establishment of the Church of England involved both continuity and change. While many Catholic practices continued, the church adopted some Protestant reforms. The English Bible was made available to the public, and services were conducted in English rather than Latin.
Dissolution of Monasteries:
Between 1536 and 1541, Henry ordered the dissolution of monasteries across England, leading to the closure of religious houses and the confiscation of their wealth and lands. This not only increased the crown’s treasury but also redistributed land to loyal subjects, strengthening support for the monarchy.
Political Ramifications:
The break with Rome solidified the monarchy’s power, reducing the influence of the Catholic Church in England. It also laid the groundwork for future religious conflicts, as subsequent monarchs alternated between Catholicism and Protestantism, leading to further social and political upheaval.
Legacy
Long-Term Impact:
Henry’s establishment of the Church of England marked the beginning of a series of religious reforms that would continue under his successors, particularly under Edward VI and Elizabeth I, each of whom further shaped Anglicanism.
The break from Rome also set the stage for the English Civil War in the 17th century and the eventual establishment of religious tolerance in later years.
Cultural Shifts:
The movement towards Protestantism influenced English culture, literature, and education, leading to a greater emphasis on individual interpretation of the scriptures and a decline in the absolute authority of the Catholic Church.
Henry VIII wives
Catherine of Aragorn (married 1509; divorced 1533)
Mary (born 1516; reign 1553-58)
Anne Boleyn (married 1533; executed 1536)
Elizabeth (born 1533; reign 1558-1603)
Jane Seymour (married 1536; death in childbirth 1537)
Edward (born 1537; reign 1547-1553)
Preoccupied by the conquest of Ireland (1529-1603)
Sure!
In the 1500s, England wanted to take control of Ireland. King Henry VIII declared himself the King of Ireland and wanted everyone there to follow his rules and religion, which was different from what most Irish people believed. The English soldiers fought against Irish rebels who didn’t want to be ruled by England, leading to some big fights. The English also brought their people to live in Ireland and took land from the Irish families. This made the Irish very unhappy and caused a lot of fighting between the two groups. All of this created a lot of problems that would last for a long time, shaping how people in Ireland felt about themselves and their country.
Undeclared Anglo–Spanish War (1585–1604)
The Undeclared Anglo–Spanish War (1585–1604) was a series of conflicts driven by political and religious rivalries between England and Spain. At the heart of the conflict were significant religious differences, as England was Protestant and Spain was staunchly Catholic. Tensions escalated when England, under Queen Elizabeth I, supported Protestant rebels in the Netherlands fighting against Spanish control, which Spain viewed as a direct threat to its power. A major event during this period was the Spanish Armada’s attempt to invade England in 1588, aiming to restore Catholicism. The Armada was defeated by the English navy, marking a significant turning point that boosted England’s confidence and solidified its naval reputation. Additionally, English privateers, like Sir Francis Drake, targeted Spanish treasure ships and settlements, contributing to ongoing skirmishes in the Caribbean and the Atlantic. Ultimately, the conflict was characterized by naval battles rather than a formal declaration of war, and it concluded with the Treaty of London in 1604, establishing a fragile peace and setting the stage for England’s rise as a prominent naval power.
Spanish Armada (1588)
The Spanish Armada of 1588 was a major naval campaign launched by Spain against England and marked a turning point in European history. The conflict stemmed from intense religious rivalry, as England was Protestant under Queen Elizabeth I, while Spain was Catholic, ruled by King Philip II. Philip aimed to invade England, restore Catholicism, and eliminate Elizabeth, whom he considered an illegitimate ruler. The Armada consisted of about 130 ships and was initially intended to coordinate with Spanish troops in the Netherlands for a full-scale invasion. However, when the Armada set sail, it faced delays and adverse weather. As it approached England, it encountered the English navy, led by figures like Sir Francis Drake. The English used smaller, more agile ships and clever tactics, ultimately defeating the Spanish fleet in a series of battles, especially off the coast of Gravelines. The defeat of the Armada was a significant blow to Spain’s power, marking the beginning of its decline, while it boosted England’s national pride and established it as a major naval force in Europe. This event had lasting effects on the balance of power in Europe and the spread of Protestantism.
“West County men,” (people + definition)
- Sir Francis Drake, Sir Richard Grenville, Sir John Hawkins, Sir Walter Raleigh, and Sir Humphrey Gilbert and publicists Richard & Richard Hakluyt (cousins).
-Their goals according to Hakluyt the elder: “1. To plant Christian religion. 2. To trafficeke. 3. To conquer.”
-Also argued that colonization would provide an outlet for over-population, displacement of peasants from the enclosure movement.
Roanoke (1585; 1587)
slides:
-About 100 would be colonist sent by Sir Walter Raleigh; soon returned
-94 (including 17 women and 9 children) in 1587; unknown fate.
research:
In 1585, Sir Walter Raleigh sponsored an expedition to establish a colony in the New World, leading to the establishment of the Roanoke Colony on Roanoke Island, off the coast of present-day North Carolina. Initially, around 100 colonists were sent, but due to hardships and lack of resources, most returned to England shortly after arriving.
In 1587, Raleigh attempted a second settlement, sending 117 colonists, including 17 women and 9 children. The colony, led by John White, faced numerous challenges, including food shortages and conflicts with Indigenous peoples. Shortly after their arrival, White returned to England for supplies, but his return was delayed due to the ongoing Anglo-Spanish War, which made it difficult to send ships.
When White finally returned in 1590, he found the colony deserted, with no sign of the settlers except for the word “CROATOAN” carved into a tree. The fate of the 94 remaining colonists remains a mystery, leading to speculation that they may have integrated with nearby Indigenous tribes or fallen victim to hardships. The disappearance of the Roanoke Colony is often referred to as “The Lost Colony” and remains one of American history’s enduring mysteries.
Virginia Company of London
In 1696, English entrepreneurs obtained a charter from King James I for the Virginia Company of London, which was a significant step for colonization in America. This charter gave the company permission to establish settlements in Virginia and conduct trade in the New World. The idea was to attract investors who wanted to profit from resources like gold, silver, and tobacco.
The Virginia Company aimed to create a successful colony that could provide wealth for its investors and England. It organized expeditions to settle in Virginia, with the first successful settlement being Jamestown in 1607. While the early years were challenging, with many settlers facing starvation and conflicts with Indigenous peoples, the colony eventually thrived thanks to tobacco farming, which became a major cash crop.
The charter allowed the company to manage the colony and govern the settlers, setting up rules and structures that would shape the future of English colonization. Overall, the Virginia Company played a crucial role in establishing the first permanent English settlement in America and laid the foundation for future colonies.
Jamestown – An Initial Disaster
1607: Of initial 104, only 38 alive 9 months later.
Virginia Company sends 100s of reinforcements each year, but …
1609: Of 220 in December, only 60 alive next Spring
(By 1616 the Virginia Company had spent over £50,000 and transported 1,700 people to Virginia, but only 350 diseased and hungry colonists remained.)
First Anglo-Powhatan War (1610-1614)
Weapons and Tactics of War
-Indians in Powhatan’s Confederacy
English Colonists
First Anglo-Powhatan War (1610-1614)
-Colonist killed ~65 Paspahegh villagers (a subtribe) and captured the local leader’s wife and her two children, who were executed. Returning downstream, the colonists threw the children overboard and shot them in the water.
-Capture of Pocahontas 1613 (held ransom for peace) and concluded with marriage between Pocahontas and colonist John Rolfe (1614).
-Brief period of better relations; Powhatan dies 1618, brother Opechancanough
research:
The First Anglo-Powhatan War, which lasted from 1610 to 1614, marked a significant conflict between English colonists and the Powhatan Confederacy in Virginia. Tensions escalated when colonists killed approximately 65 Paspahegh villagers, a subtribe of the Powhatan, and captured the local leader’s wife and her two children. Tragically, the children were executed, and as the colonists returned downstream, they callously threw the children overboard, shooting them in the water. In a notable incident during this period, Pocahontas was captured in 1613 and held for ransom, which aimed to establish peace between the two groups. This led to her marriage to colonist John Rolfe in 1614, briefly improving relations. However, following the death of Powhatan in 1618, his brother Opechancanough took leadership, setting the stage for further conflicts in the years to come.
Second Anglo-Powhatan War (1622-1632)
-Opechancanough, brother of Wahunsunacock (Powhatan), launches a surprise attack in 1622. One-third of the colonists in Virginia are killed.
-Colonist launch 10 years of assaults on Indian villages, cornfields.
-During 1623 peace negotiations, colonists killed most of the 250 Indians attending the negotiations in revenge.
-Peace declared in 1632. Colonists expand their settlements.
Third Anglo-Powhatan War (1644-1646)
-In 1644, remnants of the Powhatan Confederacy under Opechancanough launched another surprise attack to drive out the settlers from the Virginia Colony
-Even deadlier for colonists (400+ killed), but smaller in proportion to the population (now about 10,000)
-Opechancanough died in captivity in October 1646, killed by a settler assigned to guard him
-Treaty with Necotowance (next and last chief of the Powhatan Confederacy)
-Tribes of the confederacy became tributaries to the King of England, paying a yearly tribute to the Virginia governor. At the same time, a racial frontier was delineated between Indian and colonial settlements, with members of each group forbidden to cross to the other side except by a special pass obtained at one of the border forts
