Unit 1--Exploration and Colonization Flashcards
Why did England decide to colonize the New World?
England established its colonies in the New World to exploit the vast resources of the Americans, compete politically with its rivals in Europe, and help solve political problems at home.
Why did English colonist leave England?
English colonists came to America seeking a better life in the New World.
Why were the political motives of Europe
France and Spain were grabbing up territories in the New
World and expanding their empire. England, a latecomer to the New World colonization,
wanted to also establish a colony to increase its wealth
and power. If Great Britain let France and Spain take all of the
colonies then they might grow rich enough to build an
army big enough to conquer Britain.
What were the economic motives of England?
By the end of the 16th century, England saw an American colony as a source of raw materials that could not be grown or obtained in England. Setting up colonies in the New World would provide an automatic market for English manufactured goods that it could make from these raw materials. England wanted to export more than they imported
.
Why was England a latecomer to the colonization of the New World?
England saw the New World in terms of piracy
and harassment of the Spanish.
What were some of the Social Motives of England?
Many people left England to practice their own religion like the Puritans and Quakers. People who owed money (debtors) or were unemployed
came to America to have a fresh start. Also, a good way for England to get rid of their
“unwanted” or “undesirables”
Summary of Jamestown.
1607 First permanent English colony in North America.
Searching for gold but did not find any. Economics was the motive for the founding of
Jamestown. Many became ill and died that first year
The first batch of colonists was made up of men who spent time looking for gold rather than giving time to build their settlement and grow or hunt for food in preparation for the winter season because they were unfamiliar and unprepared for the weather
(hot, humid summers; cold winters)
John Smith became the leader of the colony and got men to work by setting the rule of no work, no food! Returned to England, then
Jamestown goes through “Starving Time”
Colonists had enough food for a few months. Tensions between colonists and
Powhatan tribe turned to trading food ceased
Success after 5 years at Jamestown tobacco saves
the colony. Selling this raw material to England and tobacco becomes their cash crop
English Bill of Rights contained what?
Subjects had the right to petition the monarch, and the Crown had to seek the consent
of the people, as represented in Parliament, such as imposing new taxes, guaranteed the right to trial by jury, the right to
petition Parliament also other freedoms, such as freedom of speech and debate in Parliament.
What was the Magna Carta (1215) about?
The first document to be forced onto a king by his
Nobles attempted to limit the king’s power, protecting their privileges. Required the king not to take away any free man’s property or to imprison any free man without
following procedures established by the laws of the
land and guaranteed individuals the right to a fair trial by
their peers and forced the king to obtain the consent of
a council for new taxes.
