13 Colonies Top Ten
Shri Karri, Furnish-2
1-Jamestown
- established by Virginia Company of London (joint-stock company): the colony was governed with a charter.
- 1st permanent British colony in North America: renewed efforts of British colonization after the failure of Roanoke.
- established in 1607: marks the beginning of Britain's successful colonization period.
- the first settlers were all male looking to make a fortune from gold: this was a very obtuse move. An all male colony without a proper direction or families to repopulate.
- all of the first settlers died because of the swampy climate and poor survival skills (disorganized): The climate and geography of Virginia was not a very hospitable one.
- John Smith saved the failing colony by organizing the settlers to focus on food and survival not gold.: "he who shall not work shall not eat" phrase came up. And the disorganized colony could finally survive.
- "Starving Time" ensued in 1609 when John Smith left back to england: Only 40 survivors remained. Native-Colonist relations got tense. When they were going back, De La Warr came and forced them back.
- Two "Anglo-Powhatan" wars fought before peace was established by the marriage of Rolfe and Pocahontas: shaky relations which soon collapsed.
- Plantation Economy based off of tobacco. The system was perfected by Rolfe: became the 'american gold' and the basis of most future colonies.
- "House of Burgesses" established: first form of self government in the colonies.(based off of charter)
House of Burgesses
Reconstructed Chamber in Williamsburg
Tobacco Plantation
2-Maryland
- Established by Lord Baltimore: The king gave a land lord New World land off very liberally.
- First proprietor colony owned by single individual not by joint stock company: the proprietor could establish his own system of organization in the colony.
- First settlement established in St.Mary in 1634: One of the biggest towns in Maryland.(marks the beginning of the colony)
- created as a haven for Catholics escaping prosecution in England and other colonies: Religious views of the majority of the colony shown here.
- Act of Toleration granted toleration for all christian sects: The catholics expected to be outnumbered by Puritans and decided to prevent any future persecution.
- Lord Baltimore gave special privileges to Catholic Settlers (land): incentive to bring more Catholics in.
- exported Tobacco: another plantation based colony. Means that they were highly dependent on trade with other colonies.
- sheltered more Roman Catholics than any other English-speaking colony: became the major immigration site for oppressed Catholics.
- Majority were protestant: Shows how tolerant Maryland was to Christian Sects.
- had a feudalist system: Baltimore decided to invite a few of his friends and his servants. The system represented an older version of european feudalism.
3-Pennsylvania
- Established in 1681 by William Penn: the date of establishment gives a good idea of when during the age of colonization the colony was made and also what was the environment in Europe at that time.
- Quaker; emphasized peace and toleration for everyone: explains why everyone who was persecuted, and Natives who were defeated came here.
- relations with Native Americans were good until Scottish immigrants ruined it: The english (especially the Quakers) were better with Native relations than other country's colonists.
- liberal with representative assembly: had a government very similar to our present one.
- freedom of worship granted to all: Most different from the other colonies for this reason.
- most diverse colony since it attracted all types of people: became the first "Melting Pot" of the colonies mainly for its lax policies.
- no military: friendly to Natives. Must have relied on other colonies for protection.
- began to export grain and the population boomed (rivaled only by Virginia and Massachusetts): Also became a plantation colony but rice was more of an exotic crop back in england.
- Against enslavement of africans: The plantations couldn't be worked by this cheap labor.
- relatively wealthy because they had no State Church to fund: Showed disassociation with the religious beliefs of the other colonies.
Swedish colonist Cabin in Pennsylvania
Depiction of English-Native relations
4-Georgia
- Last of the 13 colonies established in 1733: close to the end of Britain's golden age of colonization in the New World
- founded by James Oglethorpe (British Parliamentarian): seeing that he was a British Parliamentarian might provide interesting information during the build up to the Revolution.
- buffer colony between the Carolinians and the Spanish in Florida: most unique purpose out of all the colonies.
- haven for debtors: though the buffer colony had a harsh environment, the debtors being tortured in Britain were happy to relocate.
- main exports became silk and wine: less of a plantation crop which meant more land to distribute. Also the choice of crops established trade relations with West Indies.
- only colony to receive subsidies from Britain: And incentive for colonists to go live in a harsh colony.
- determined to keep slavery out: This stunted the growth compared to other colonies since the crops had very few workers.
- all christians but catholics tolerated: a purely Puritan established colony.
- methodist church founded here by john wesley: the colony had such religious tolerance for non-catholics that another sect could be founded.
- slow population growth due to spanish attacks and bad soil: bad soil also slowed the crop productions and continued Spanish attacks and raids stunted development.
James Oglethorpe
Map of proximity with Florida
Georgia Vineyard
5-Massachusetts Bay
- Founded by John Winthrop and John Endecott (1620): The founders are always important to get information about the political and social views of a colony.
- Founded for Religious freedom of Puritans and colonized by Separatists: People who were not pleased by the Church of England and its practices formed this colony which explains its strict society.
- Was a charter government but then became a royal colony: especially for a colony that came to the New World because it was displeased with England this is very ironic.
- Salem, Boston, and Plymouth major settlements: The growth in population and development allowed for multiple 'Towns' to be founded.
- cold climate, less disease, rocky soil, few rivers: perfect climate to suit the new colonists and grow staple crops.
- economy based off of fishing and manufacturing: not a plantation colony. The location off the bay area made this possible.
- shaky ties with england due to religious tolerance: when the colony became a royal colony that caused a lot of unrest.
- John Winthrop ruled for 15 years: he became one of the most significant rulers of Massachusetts bay.
- Winthrop's goal was to make the society the perfect Christian society. "city on a hill": this was a very famous rally slogan to unify the colonists against the Anglican Church and to make them the 'savior' for all Christians.
- Anne Hutchinson, and Roger Williams exiled: this explains the the low tolerance and close-mindedness of the society. Audacity was not appreciated.