Migration to Virginia
description
Transcript of Migration to Virginia
MIGRATION TO VIRGINIA
Role of England England weak, politically and
economically in comparison to Spain. Henry VII had 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
But- dry run for colonial expansion in Ireland
Ireland Ireland conquered by Normans, but gradually
England lost control. Tudors show renewed interest. Major military expeditions during Elizabethan
period, led by soldiers & adventurers. Followed up by colonizers, especially those seeking large land holdings, use
of Gaelic Irish as serfs, frequent atrocities and brutality towards Irish
seen as Catholic, barbaric, sub-humans. About 200,000 migrants from GB to Ireland
1600-1670, twice number who went to America
Ireland as a blueprint Financed by Joint Stock Companies, same
as would finance American colonies Use of promotional literature to
popularize colonization Attitudes towards native peoples similar Many of the individuals involved in Irish
colonization later involved in American colonization
e.g. Richard Grenville, Humphrey Gilbert, Walter Raleigh.
English Imperial Ambitions
Motivation: envy of Spanish treasure from America; wealth helped Spain become most powerful nation;
English policy to break the Iberian monopoly on America due to fear that American wealth, after Henry VIII's split with Rome (1534), could be used against them.
English government sanctioned privateering operations against Spanish. Capturing Spanish treasure ships bringing gold & silver from New World.
By 1580 increasingly dangerous to prey on Spanish shipping - suggestion that American base needed.
Idea that American colonies would also ease English reliance on southern Europe for citrus fruits, silks, and vines.
Importance of Propaganda, Richard Haklyut.
1st patent to settle in America granted to Sir Humphrey Gilbert, half brother to Walter Raleigh, permitted him to settle anywhere between Florida and Northern Canada
Early British Attempts Initially England
was not successful
Martin Frobsier Searching for gold
and a northwest passge
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 Three English voyages to
settle North America in 1580s.
The first landed at Roanoke Island, North Carolina on July 13th, 1584,
short lived military expedition which 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 under 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
The Lost Colony Third voyage 1587: very different from previous
ones most colonists farmers not soldiers, & came in
family groups. Clearly 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, since all ships diverted to defence of realm.
When finally arrives, found settlement abandoned, colonists never seen again.
Most likely attacked by Indians, survivors absorbed into tribes.
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.
The lessons of Roanoke were clear: no colony could exist without full support
from mother country for at least the first few years of existence;
clear goals were needed good relations with the Indians were
necessary Put this together and what was needed
was Order Order would give control and allow for
a structure
Although beginning of cracks in strict hierarchy
Still a rigid concept Heading to the unknown there was a
need to reinforce it
Two examples of understanding of English order All things bright and beautiful,
All creatures great and small,All things wise and wonderful:The Lord God made them all.
Each little flower that opens,Each little bird that sings,He made their glowing colors,He made their tiny wings.
The rich man in his castle, The poor man at his gate, He made them, high or lowly, And ordered their estate.
Into this steps
John Smith Born 1580 in England left home at age 16 after
his father died Began travels France
fighting for Dutch independence from Spain.
Two years later, Mediterranean Sea, working on a merchant ship
1600 joined Austrian forces to fight the Turks
promoted to Captain while fighting in Hungary
This is the moment were Smith fights and defeats
3 Turkish champions
Transylvania 1602 wounded in battle, captured,
and sold as a slave to a Turk. Turk sent Smith as a gift to
his sweetheart in Istanbul Girl fell in love with him sent him to brother to get
training for Turkish imperial service.
Escaped by murdering the brother
Returned to Transylvania through Russia and Poland
Released from service Received large reward Traveled Europe and
Northern Africa Returned to England in the
winter of 1604-05.
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 Basically made up of merchants 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 Jamestown May 1607
James Fort
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 many migrants 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,
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
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
A quick word about dates People often say America began with the
Pilgrim Fathers As you know James Town was founded in
1607 New England in 1620 Thirteen years earlier But did you also know…. The first Africans were taken to James Town
in 1619 This means African-Americans were settlers
in America before the Pilgrims
Problems of Authority Virginia has crisis of authority first two governors lose control quickly
can’t prevent a high death toll amongst early settlers
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
reduced death rate.
Capt John
Smith
‘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 Virginia on edge of extinction
Laws Divine, Moral and Martial De La Warre, formally introduces the
Laws DMM in 1611 similar to Smith’s martial law
Very strict, aims to control populace all to work collectively for survival of colony
Begins to deter potential colonists Widespread attachment to ‘rights of
Englishmen’ Response of Virginia Co House of Burgesses
First elected body in North America, July 1619 Again before Pilgrims
Virginia Co charter revoked 1624, becomes royal colony
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 Vast wealth possible high prices by 1620 meant
single farmer with no extra labour could make £200/yr profit.
Also cause of instability.
Tobacco Pipes
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.
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
Decision to attack on Good Friday (March 22) 1622
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
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.
A LITTLE BACK TRACKING
Antonio Velazquez
Summer 1561 Spanish
Caravel buffeted by storms of South Carolina
After storm saw a huge bay
Bahia Santa Maria
Chesapeake Bay
Anchored and encountered Indians
Two agreed with return to Spain
Younger Indian Paquiquineo given to King Philip II renamed Don Luís de Velasco
A few months later asked to return home
The Journey of Don Luís de Velasco Went first to New Spain Became very ill end of first attempt to
return home After recovering decided to remain
and learn Catholic faith and Spanish ways
But still kept the desire to return home Several years later Pedro Menédez de
Avilés, new governor of “la Florida” was ordered to protect the southeast from the French
1566 - Don Luis heads out with Catholic friars on a missionary journey to his old home
For some reason ship couldn’t find bay
Captain against protests sailed back to Spain rather than Mexico
Don Luis fails in second attempt to return home
1570 manages to get to Cuba September 1570 arrives back in
Bahia Santa Maria Shortly thereafter Don Luis fled
from the Spanish February 1571 Don Luis leads
attack on, and destroys, Spanish settlement
We know this because one Spanish boy, Alonso, was left alive and eventually returned to the Spain
Why have I told this story?
1) Don Luis is an example of one of the many Native Americans who visited Europe
2) We may see Don Luis again under a different name.
Native
Virginia
The Rise of the Powhatans Central political
development of the late 16th /early 17th century within Virginia
Not arrival of English
Rise of the Powhatan chiefdom
Wahunsonacock ruled over thirty or so tribes
Region known as Tsenacommacala
Stretched from south of the James River to the Potomac
and from the coast to the falls
Tsenacommacah was well populated at the beginning of the seventeenth century.
15, 000– 20,0000 people, dispersed in several
hundred villages and hamlets
Rivers and coastal waters provided a superb means of travel
Commonly used for transporting men and goods over long distances
Powhatan settlements were small by European standards
consisting of fewer than a hundred people ‘”of kindred & alliance.”
An illustration of Secota (Secotan, near the Pamlico River in North Carolina)
Powhatan society organized for war response to the threat posed by powerful
enemies to the north and west War was the ultimate test for every male
a searching examination where only the strong, intelligent, or lucky would survive.
Men were expected to display strength and courage in hand-to-hand
combat fortitude if captured and tortured wisdom in council.
English soon learned of Powhatan power
At time of English arrival A native nation who lived at the
entrance to the bayThe Chesapeakes
Resisted absorption into Tsenacommacah
Powhatan response – military attack Resulted in the slaughter of men,
women, and children.
As chiefdom grew So did wealth and
influence Territories governed
through regional or district chiefs some of whom were close
relatives Brothers
Opechancanough Opitchapam Kekataugh
maintained tight control over the Pamunkeys
Son Parahunt and Pochins
Ruled important districts of Powhatan and Kecoughran at the falls and mouth of
the James River
Controlled SpeculationThe Powhatans and Smith
Historian Frederich Gleach has looked at the capture of Smith
Using “Controlled Speculation” Offers a reinterpretation of the famous story of
Smiths capture And subsequent release due to the intervention
of Pocahontas Most famous incident in the history of Virginia Some doubt it happened and those who accept it explain it as an isolated event
a planned adoption unpremeditated rescue by an infatuated young
woman.
Gleach suggests it was part of a larger ritual
Began with the act of capturing Captain John Smith in December 1607
Captured by a large party, of 200 to 300 bowmen, led by the Powhatan war-chief Opechancanough.
His capture was more than incidental Immediately taken before
Opechancanough, whose duties as war-chief would include dealing with outsiders
His life was threatened the first of three times this would
happen during his captivity Then taken to the seasonal
village of Rasawek and treated as a captive chief
Three dances took place centered on Smith and Opechancanough Kept there for close to a week
His life being threatened again while there
After this second threat the next phase of his captivity began
A physical transition from the margins of Tsenacommacah to its heart, the village of Powhatan A metaphysical transformation from English to
Anglo-Powhatan. Smith taken to a series of smaller,
peripheral villages returned to Rasawek Then taken to Menapacute, one of the
main villages of Pamunkey. It was while Smith was here that the
redefinition ritual took place creating a place for the English in the Powhatan
world.
Powhatans then returned Smith to the periphery of Tsenacommacah,
From this outside position he was brought to Werowocomoco, Powhatan's principal residence.
Smith's old life being ended, Pocahontas ceremonially spared him from death, allowing him to begin his new life as a Powhatan
Two days later the ritual was completed Giving Smith and the colony a specific
place in Tsenacommacah. Smith was returned to Jamestown, early
in 1608.
Opechancanough Powahtan’s
leading warrior Little known about
Opechancanough’s origins
A few intriguing references suggest that he may have been none other than
Paquiquineo (Don Luis)
Powhatan saw English as potential allies vs. interior tribes.
Never imagines they would be threat 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
Decision to attack on Good Friday (March 22) 1622
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