English Empire

Note in 1707 England and Scotland became unified and from then on known as Britain

Role of England England weak, politically and economically in

comparison to Spain. Henry VII sponsored John Cabot’s voyages to

Canada 1497 lost interest when NW passage not discovered.

Lack of political will, and military capacity to challenge Spain before later 16thC

Ireland Ireland conquered by Normans, but

gradually England lost control. Tudors show renewed interest. Military expeditions during

Elizabethan Age led by soldiers & adventurers.

Followed up by colonizersSeeking land holdings and use

of Gaelic Irish as serfs, frequent atrocities and brutality

towards Irish About 200,000 migrants from

GB to Ireland 1600-1670

Ireland as a blueprint Finance Promotional literature Attitudes towards native peoples Individuals involved

e.g. Richard Grenville, Humphrey Gilbert, Walter Raleigh.

Video Questions 1 1. Shift in seventeenth century Virginia away

from indentured servant labor was accompanied by

a) increasing tobacco production.b) slowing rates of population growth.c) accelerating movement toward democracy.d) using race as a dividing line among the poor.

Video Questions 2 2. Professor Karen Kupperman refers to

property ownership in colonial Virginia as a "double-edged sword" because it

a) applied to both land and labor.b) guaranteed both whites and blacks the right to

vote.c) Tended to destroy a sense of community.d) Gave women a cause to complain about.

English Imperial Ambitions Motivation:

Envy of Spanish Colonial treasure Wealth helped Spain become most powerful nation;

English policy: Break the Iberian monopoly on America

fear that American wealth, after Henry VIII's split with Rome (1534), could be used against them.

English sanctioned privateering operations. Captured Spanish treasure ships bringing gold &

silver from New World.

By 1580 increasingly dangerous to prey on Spanish shipping American base needed.

American colonies also ease English reliance on southern Europe for citrus fruits, silks, and vines.

1st patent to settle in America granted to Sir Humphrey Gilbert half brother to Walter Raleigh,

settle anywhere between Florida and Northern Canada

Early British Attempts Initially England was

not successful Martin Frobsier

Searching for gold and a northwest passage

3 failed journeys between 1576-1578

Humphrey Gilbert Attempted to settle in

Newfoundland – failed, Gilbert dies at sea

John Hawkins and Francis Drake Successful in the Caribbean

But as pirates not settlers But by 1580 England still

had no permanent settlement in Americas

Roanoke 3 English voyages to settle North America in 1580s.

First landed at Roanoke Island, North Carolina on July 13th, 1584,

short lived military expedition found that the land was suitable for

both cultivation and defence, returned home to England with 2

local Indians, Manteo & Wanchese.

Roanoke Island

1585-6, 2nd English Voyage Ralph Lane, discovered Chesapeake Bay

ideal as naval base. Noted for the oil paintings of John White

and the descriptions of Thomas Hariot. But, young male adventurers, with

ambitions of land and wealth, not ideal colonists.

Indian relations deteriorated, food supply from Indians cut off

Drake arrived summer 1586, seeking re-supply, ends up providing food for colonists, eventually agrees to return them to England

Third voyage 1587: different from previous ones

Colonists were farmers not soldiers

came in family groups. Intended to be a permanent

settlement, self-sustaining and self-

reproducing. John White Governor, returned

to England for more supplies Leaving daughter and grand-

daughter, Virginia Dare, at Roanoke.

Unable to return until 1590 Due to Spanish Armada

When finally arrives, found settlement abandoned

colonists never seen again.

Importance of Roanoke 3 voyages saw evolution of colonising

thought Roanoke seen as

A base for privateering, Then a place where valuable raw materials

could be shipped to England, Third voyage aimed to settle

permanently.

Lessons of Roanoke were clear: no colony could exist without full support

from mother country in terms of men and supplies for at least the first few years

clear goals needed to give direction and purpose to the colonisation effort

good relations with the Indians were necessary to learn the best survival techniques in the

American wilderness.

Conclusions Failure of Roanoke great setback for England

imperial ambitions. 1600 still no permanent English settlement in

North America Yet England had taste for colonization, saw it

was practical, possible and still thought it worthwhile & potentially profitable.

After Roanoke 20 year wait for colonisation to restart Nothing possible until succession decided, too much

uncertainty James I (1603-25) ends war with Spain 1604.

Ends profits from privateering Leads to reconsideration of colonisation Importance of getting a charter, royal sanction/support

sets out claims, regardless of other powers 1606 charters given to Virginia Company of London and Virginia Company of

Plymouth to settle between 34 and 45 degrees N latitude, (NC to Maine)

Grant to Virginia

Co.

The Virginia Company Made up of merchants and gentlemen charter talks of trade and bringing Christianity to

natives. Needs colonists as

traders potential soldiers to defend against Spanish

Offers free land for settlers 144 young men to go on first voyage on board 3

ships (Godspeed, Discovery and Susan Constant) Arrives Chesapeake bay April 26 1607 Jamestown May 1607

James FortFirst Building in America by British

VA Problems of Authority Virginia has crisis of authority 1st two governors lose control

quickly only 38 of 144 original migrants

still alive in Nov 1607. Solved by John Smith

elected Gov in Dec 1608 introduced system of Martial

Law moved colony inland learned survival techniques

from Indians

‘The Starving Time’ New fleet arrives June 1609, brings

900 new settlers. Smith ousted, and returns to England No effective leadership during harsh

winter of 1609-10 lack of planning – no food stockpiled widespread starvation some cannibalism.

Spring 1610 only 60 survivors Decide to return to England Prevented by arrival of new Governor Lord De

La Warre Laws Divine, Moral and Martial 1611 Response of Virginia Co House of Burgesses

First elected body in North America, July 1619 Again before Pilgrims

Migrants Before 1618 all migrants: Male Most under 25 Free land offered

obvious draw to poor, as well as to younger sons of gentry,

i.e. those with little prospect of riches in England Main motivation

economic, seeking fortune and status See Virginia as temporary home

Importance of indentured labour Main source of labour in Virginia

before 1680 People were ‘sold’ for number of

years in return for passage. Possibility of land at end of service.

Problems of flight seen as form of slavery,

Suggestion religion had role in colonisation Mentioned in charter Used as recruitment tactic

But little attention paid by colonists once there.

Authority derived from either tradition (elders), law (officials) or charisma (dictators)

First church built in 1639 32 years after arrival

Rebuilt in 1907 on original spot

Indians Problems with Indians major factor in

Virginia development Powhatan confederacy more powerful than

English Numbers approx 10,000 in 1620

1000 English in 1624 Initial antagonism – disputes over property Smith’s role – situation calms in 1610s Rolfe marries Pocahontas

Powhatan sees English as potential allies vs interior tribes.

Irrelevant to broader region of Powhatan Empire

Never imagines they would be threat to him Trades for

weapons etc Powhatan dies 1622

Succeeded by brother Opechancanough more hostile to

English especially

encroachment on lands

Role of tobacco in taking Indian lands

English authorities unable to prevent it

Achieves total surprise Kills 347 whites

out of population of 1200.

Opechancanough thought English would leave

But attack cements negative image of Indians among English

makes their destruction easier to live with

Attack on Good Friday (March 22) 1622

Conclusions Virginia in 1624 in turmoil Politically unstable

e.g. Virginia Co loss of charter 1624 Endured disease, war, death. Only about 1000 whites in Virginia after 17yrs

of colonisation settlement still in balance could easily still fail.

Economic Development No economic purpose to early

settlement 1612 planting of Trinidadian

tobacco by John Rolfe. Rapid growth of production

2,000 lbs in 1615 1.5m lbs 1629

by 1620 meant single farmer with no extra labour could make £200/yr profit.

Also cause of instability.

Larger plantation owners were able to survive through Expanding length of indenture Increasing punishments for

infractions of contractRenting land Selling other crops and From money earned from positions

in the local government Wealthy landowners also closed up

Drop in profits led to a situation whereby

Indentured servants Still the dominant

labor force Had little money or

opportunity to set themselves up as plantation owners.

Creates a group of landless freemen

Into this problematic situation stepped Nathanial Bacon

From Virginia we head west to New Mexico and the Pueblo Revolt

Bacon reputed to have been sent to America by

his family in a hope that it would mature him and make him into a Man.

29 year old Cambridge graduate From wealthy English family, related by

marriage to Virginia governor Sir William Berkley

Everything looked good Bacon given a land grant and a seat on

the council.

Problems mentioned earlier had many people who were outside the wealthy group looking for scapegoats for their situation

In July 1675 a group was found. A group of Doeg Indians raided the

plantation of Thomas Mathews. Mathews plantation was on the

outskirts of the area controlled by the English

Raid was not a random attack by “wild Indians”

But an attempt to get paid for goods that Mathews had obtained from the tribe.

Several Indians were killed in the attack as was the herdsman of Mathews plantation

In revenge the local colonists went after the Doeg Indians and killed ten or more

However, they also killed a number of Susquehannocks a tribe that were at peace with and regularly

traded with the English. Governor Berkeley stepped in and

attempted to restore order by ordering an investigation and set up a negation meeting between the English and the Susquehannocks

During this meeting the local militia killed the chiefs sent to negotiate

The Susquehannocks went on a series of retaliatory attacks along the James River

Bacon’s overseer was killed. Governor Berkeley planned a series of

forts to protect the outlying communities These forts would be paid for out of

taxes,

Outlying planters financially strapped by low Tobacco prices and a stagnant economy preferred the cheaper option

An outright war to kill all Indians and seize their lands.

They elected Bacon as their leader

Led 300 men on an attack on local Indian population on April 1676 – he found only friendly Indians

Killed them anyway Bacon’s popularity led legislature

under Berkeley To pass legislation that allowed Indians

to be termed: enemies if they left their village without

permission from the English

This allowed their lands and property to be taken.

How would you react if 1000 angry men – the size of Bacon’s following at this time – came charging towards your village?

Policy allowed in part as rich landowners thought they would be able to expand their wealth from these acquisitions.

The governor realizing that this policy was not working ordered the end of hostilities

Bacon returned at the head of his army and rode into Jamestown.

Chased the governor away and burnt the capital building

offered freedom to any of Berkeley’s supporters, servants or slaves who joined them.

Just as Bacon and the rebellion that bore his name was at the height of its power

Bacon died possibly of dysentery

and the rebellion was over. Berkeley quickly regained control

and punished Bacon’s supporters severely.

Aftermath English government sent to troops to quell

uprising Virginia at peace long before they arrived. Berkeley recalled

New governor implemented some reforms and hit rebels hard

Executed leaders and imprisoned others Sending a message that rebellion was never

justified, no matter what the provocation. The long term effect for Indians was that the

frontier was again pushed back

Possible Explanations Instability on frontier

mixing of freed servants, blacks, Indians; taxes high, discontent over spending priorities, so rebellion a symbol of class conflict

lower death rates and immigration of royalists meant social mobility falling

Establishing First Families of Virginia – even Bacon excluded

Bacon as popular democratic hero struggling vs tyranny

failure leads to ‘end of American Independence’

Back to the British colonies

Not Virginia Not New England But the richest place in

the British Empire

Barbados

Barbados Colonized 1630s

Important for two reasons Wealth Structure

Both transferred to mainland

Annual sugar exports 1650 -150,000 pounds 1700 – 50 Million 1680 planter in

Barbados 4 times richer than

tobacco planter in Chesapeake

Also held 115 slaves

Remember this man? Virginia and wider

Chesapeake region was: Growing Losing attractiveness for

Indentured servants But still needed Cheap labor 1650s Africans 3% of

Chesapeake Majority population on

Barbados

1663 John Collerton Barbadian planter

Obtained charter to create colony south of Chesapeake

Carolina 1670 settled in

Charles Towne 1712 split into two

Campbell / Galenson historical debate over social status

Were migrants ‘middling people’ or ‘common sort’ ?

Problem source materials mainly from 1650s incompleteness of data Probably reflected English population mainly poor (farmers, labourers, artisans), but

not the truly destitute A few merchants, aristocrats, or wealthy

people