Chapter 1: The Colonial Period (1607-1776) - Expanded

Notes

Early Settlements: Jamestown and Plymouth

● Jamestown (1607): The first permanent English settlement in America,
established in present-day Virginia. It struggled initially due to famine, disease, and
conflicts with Native Americans. John Smith's leadership was crucial in the early
years. The introduction of tobacco by John Rolfe in 1612 became the economic
savior of the colony, leading to a plantation-based economy and increased
demand for labor, both indentured servants and, later, enslaved Africans.
● Plymouth (1620): Established by English Puritan Separatists known as the
Pilgrims. They sought religious freedom and sailed on the Mayflower, landing in
what is now Massachusetts. The Mayflower Compact, signed aboard ship,
established a basic form of democracy with majority rule. The Pilgrims'
successful harvest in 1621, aided by friendly Native Americans like Squanto, led to
the celebration of Thanksgiving.

Native American Relations

● Early relations were complex, ranging from trade and cooperation to conflict and
warfare. The settlers' expansion and European diseases decimated Native
American populations.
● Key events include the First and Second Anglo-Powhatan Wars in Virginia,
illustrating the cycle of trade, tension, and conflict between colonists and Native
Americans.

Colonial Life and Economy

● New England Colonies: Characterized by small, family-owned farms, fishing, and
trade. The Puritan ethic of hard work and community responsibility shaped the
social and religious life. Town meetings and local governance were common.
● Middle Colonies: Known as the "breadbasket," these colonies (New York, New
Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware) were agriculturally diverse and economically
successful. They were more religiously and culturally tolerant, with significant
Quaker, Dutch, and German populations.
 ● Southern Colonies: Dominated by large plantations growing cash crops (tobacco,
rice, indigo). These colonies relied heavily on slave labor, which led to a society
with stark divisions between wealthy landowners and the enslaved.

The Development of Slavery

● Began with the arrival of African slaves in Jamestown in 1619. The shift from
indentured servitude to racial slavery was gradual but became entrenched by the
late 17th century.
● Slave codes were established to control and dehumanize the enslaved, stripping
them of basic rights and treating them as property.

Religious Movements: Puritanism, The Great Awakening

● Puritanism: Dominant in New England, it emphasized predestination, hard work,
and the importance of a moral society. Puritans held a deep belief in education,
leading to the founding of Harvard College in 1636.
● The Great Awakening: A series of religious revivals swept the colonies in the
1730s and 1740s. It emphasized personal religious experience over doctrine and
ritual. It had a democratizing effect, challenging established churches and leading
to increased religious diversity.

Colonial Governments and Early Democracy

● Colonies developed various forms of self-governance. The Virginia House of
Burgesses (1619) and the Mayflower Compact (1620) are early examples of
democratic principles at work in the colonies.
● These democratic practices developed partly due to the British policy of salutary
neglect, where the colonies were left to govern themselves with minimal
interference from Britain.

The French and Indian War (1754-1763)

● A part of the global conflict known as the Seven Years' War, it pitted the British and
their colonial allies against the French and their Native American allies.
● The war ended with the Treaty of Paris (1763), granting Britain a vast territory in
North America but leading to British debt. This debt was a significant factor
behind subsequent taxation policies imposed on the American colonies,
eventually leading to the American Revolution.
Key Figures
● Jamestown: John Smith, Pocahontas, John Rolfe.
● Plymouth: William Bradford, Squanto, Massasoit.
● Great Awakening: Jonathan Edwards, George Whitefield.

Important Documents and Concepts

● Mayflower Compact: An early form of self-government and social contract.
● Virginia House of Burgesses: The first elected legislative assembly in the New
World.
● Fundamental Orders of Connecticut (1639): Considered by some as the first
written constitution in the colonies.

Further Reading and Resources

● "Changes in the Land: Indians, Colonists, and the Ecology of New England" by
William Cronon.
● "American Colonies: The Settling of North America" by Alan Taylor.
● Primary documents: Letters, diaries, and newspapers from the period.