Chapter 1, Section 3Commerce and Colonies

p. 20-24

Economic motives lead Europeans to build settlements in the Americas

Section Focus Question

What chain of events led to the founding of the early colonies and their experiments with self-government?

Economic Changes in EuropeMain Idea: Europeans develop modern capitalism, which is now the economic system of most of the world.

• European economies shift to capitalism-– economic system of investing

capital $ into a business for profit– Banking systems begin to make

loans at interest, a percentage added onto the original amount

• mercantilism - economic system where a nation’s wealth is measured by its gold and silver supply– Export more than import

(sell more than you buy)– Colonies used for raw materials

and as markets to sell goods p. 21

Colonizing North AmericaMain Idea: Seeking wealth, other European nations set up colonies in North America.

• Spain attempts to block colonization by other European countries.

• Dutch, French, & English colonize North America– France: Canada– Netherlands: New York– England: Roanoke Island (the Lost

Colony, 1585-1587)

• England sends explorers Cabot, Cartier, and Hudson to find the “Northwest Passage”– Short-cut to Asia

• European kingdoms seek natural resources (gold, silver) and markets for their export products.

European colonization of North America

The Jamestown ColonyMain Idea: Jamestown, the first permanent English settlement in North America, is governed by an elected assembly.

• Colony receives a royal charter– official document giving special rights

and privileges.

• Struggles to survive - disease and fortune hunters

• John Smith organizes colonial government.– “Those who do not work, will not eat.”

-John Smith

• Establish House of Burgesses (elected by male settlers) passes laws and regulates colonial affairs – Establishes precedent of

representative government for future colonies

– political system where voters elect others to make laws

Jamestown – established by Royal Charter in 1607

The Plymouth ColonyMain Idea: The Pilgrims founded the Plymouth Colony in order to practice their religion freely.

• Pilgrims leave England seeking religious freedom.– The Mayflower was supposed to go

Jamestown, Virginia

• Establish the Mayflower Compact– Self-government for the colony– “just and equal Laws”

• Struggle to survive – aided by friendly Native American tribes

• Colony established for religious freedom– the right for individuals to follow

their own religious convictions– Persecuted Christian dissidents

Plymouth Rock

Jamestown & Plymouth• Jamestown becomes Virginia

– Founded by Royal Charter

• Plymouth becomes Massachusetts– Founded by separatists for

religious freedom

Roanoke “The Lost Colony”

FUN FACT/QUESTION:WHAT IS THE OLDEST EUROPEAN COLONY IN THE 50 UNITED STATES?

St. Augustine, FloridaFounded by Spain, August 1565

They shared a celebratory feast with the Timucua Native Americans on Sept. 8, 1565America’s “real” First Thanksgiving?

Section Focus QuestionQ: What chain of events led to the founding of the early colonies and their experiments with self-government?A: The Spanish discoveries of gold prompted other European countries, including England, to found colonies in the Americas. The distance of the colonies from Europe caused them to develop means of self-government.