Settling the Northern Colonies 1619-1700. Regional Differences North, Middle, and South had...

Settling the Northern Colonies1619-1700

Regional Differences

North, Middle, and South had commonalitiesLanguage, allegiance to England

Colonies also developed differently; differences lasted well after colonial eraSoutherners came for riches (especially from tobacco)Northerners came for religious devotion

Protestant Reformation Produces Puritanism 1517 – Martin Luther nails his 95 Theses on door of Wittenberg, Germany cathedral

Denounced the authority of (Catholic) priests and popes

Claimed that the Bible alone was the source of God’s word

Luther began a period of religious reform in Europe called the Reformation

John Calvin Religious leader in Geneva, Switzerland

Calvinism was an elaboration of Luther’s ideas

Profoundly affected religious emigrants to America including the Puritans, Scottish Presbyterians, French Huguenots

Calvinism Calvin wrote Institutes of the Christian Religion in 1536, exalining his ideas

God was all-powerful and all-good

Humans (because of Original Sin) were wicked and weak

Predestination

God knew (because he is all-knowing) who was going to heaven and who was going to hell

Some souls (the elect) were destine d for heaven; others were destined for hell

The Protestant Reformation Produces Puritanism

Predestination and works

Good works could not save those predestined for hell

Elect could not count on their status to live lives of sin No could be certain of his/her status

Gnawing doubts led them to constantly seek signs of “conversion”

Conversion was an intense, personal experience in which God revealed to that person his/her elect status

After conversion, elect were to live “sanctified” lives, demonstrating that they were “visible saints”

1530 - Calvinism swept England as Henry VIII broke ties with Roman Catholic Church and appointed himself the head of the Church of England (Anglican) Henry still kept most of the Roman Catholic practices


“Puritans” Want to totally reform (purify) Church of England from Catholicism

Many came from economically depressed areas

Calvinism fed on social unrest and comforted the poor

Puritans grew increasingly unhappy with slow process of Protestant Reformation in England

Separatists Puritans who believed only “visible saints” (those who could demonstrate in front of their

fellow Puritans their elect status) should be admitted to church membership

Because the Church of England enrolled all the king’s subjects, Separatists felt they had to share churches with the “damned”

Therefore, Separatists believed in a total break from Church of England


After Henry VIII, the king was the head of the country and the spiritual leader of church

James I saw that if his subjects could defy him in spiritual affairs (the Separatists breaking from the Church of England) then they would eventually defy him in political affairs Therefore, the king decided to harass the Separatists until they left England

In 1608, the most famous congregation of Separatists left for Holland; they spent 12 years in Holland in difficult circumstances Separatists worried about “Dutchification” of their children; they wanted a place where they

could live as Englishmen

The Pilgrims End Their Pilgrimage at Plymouth In 1620, a group of 102 people (about ½ of who were

Separatists) set sail on the Mayflower for AmericaThey negotiated with the Virginia Company to settle in its jurisdictionNon-Separatists included Captain Myles Standish, who would later

help the colony in fighting the natives

Mayflower sailed for 65 days and landed off course in New EnglandThe colonist searched around New England for suitable place to land,

finally landing at Plymouth BayBecause Plymouth was well outside the domain of the Virginia

Company, there people became squatters without legal rights to the land and no specific authority to establish a government.

The Pilgrims End Their Pilgrimage at Plymouth

The Mayflower Compact was written and signed before the Pilgrims disembarked from the Mayflower Not a constitution, but an agreement to form a crude government and submit to majority rule

Signed by 41 adult males (not signed by women, slaves, and 2 seamen)

Led to adult male settlers meeting in assemblies to make laws in town meetings

During the winter of 1620 – 1621, only 22 (of 102) survived at Plymouth Colony At one time only 7 well enough to bury the dead

Still, none chose to leave in 1621 when the Mayflower sailed back to Europe

In the fall of 1621, the first “Thanksgiving Day” was commemorated, celebrating their successful harvest

The colony survived because of fur (especially beaver), fish and lumber

The Pilgrims End Their Pilgrimage at Plymouth

One of the most important Pilgrim leaders was William Bradford A self-taught scholar who was chosen governor 30

times in early elections

Bradford worried about settlements of non-Puritans springing up nearby and corrupting Puritan society.

Plymouth stayed small and economically unimportant By 1691, only 7000 people lived in the colony

when it merged with Massachusetts Bay Colony

The Bay Colony Bible Commonwealth

Non-Separatist Puritans Less radical than Separatists; sought to reform Church of England from within

Gathered support, especially in Parliament

In 1629, Charles I disbanded Parliament and supported Archbishop William Laud, an archconservative who attacked the Puritans

Also in 1629, non-Separatist Puritans got royal charter to form Massachusetts Bay Colony They wanted to escape attacks by Laud and other conservatives in Church of England

They denied they wanted to leave Church of England, just its impurities.

In 1630, the Massachusetts Bay expedition set out in 11 well-supplied ships with almost 1000 people These people established a colony in the Massachusetts area; Boston became its hub

The Bay Colony Bible Commonwealth

The “Great Migration” of 1630sTurmoil and persecution in England sent more Puritans (about

70,000) to AmericaNot all were PuritansOnly about 20,000 came to Massachusetts; 50,000 went to the

West Indies Many prosperous, educated persons migrated to Massachusetts

Bay John Winthrop

Well-off attorney and manor lord in EnglandBecame first governor in MassachusettsBelied he had a “calling” from God to lead thereServed as governor or deputy-governor for 19 years

Building the Bay Colony

Massachusetts’ Economy Based on fur trading, fishing, shipbuilding

Quickly became New England’s biggest and most important colony

Massachusetts’ Religious Mission “We shall be as a city upon a hill” – Winthrop

Colonists shared a sense of purpose that they had a covenant with God to build a holy society to serve as an example to the rest of the world.

Democratic Beginnings in Massachusetts Franchise (voting) in colony-wide elections given to all “freemen” – adult males who belong to Puritan

congregations (by going through conversion)

Unconverted Puritans, non-Puritans, and women were not allowed to vote

2/5 of adult men allowed to vote, a far larger percentage than in England at the time

Town government conducted in town meetings by majority vote

More inclusive than colony’s elections – all male property holders allowed to participate and vote


Massachusetts (though liberal for the times) was not a democracy John Winthrop distrusted “commons” and believed democracy was the “meanest and worst”

form of government

Freemen elected governor, his assistants, and representatives in General Court (colonial assembly)

Only “Visible Saints” in Puritan Church were allowed to be freemen

Doctrine of the Covenant

Government’s purpose was to enforce God’s law (which applied to believers and non-believers)

Non-believers and believers both paid taxes for the government-supported church

Religious leaders held enormous influence in Massachusetts Influenced admission to church membership (and therefore voting rights) by conducting

public interrogations of people who claimed to have experienced conversion


John Cotton, a prominent man among the early clergy Educated at heavily Puritan Cambridge University in England

Emigrated to Massachusetts to escape punishment for criticizing the Church of England

Devoted himself to defending right of government to enforce religious rules

Congregational Church Collective of all the individual Puritan congregations meeting in Massachusetts

Power of clergy was not absolute Congregation could hire and fire minster and set his salary

Clergyman were barred from holding political office, an early example of the separation of church and state

Puritans in England had suffered from “political” Anglican minsters in England


Puritan Worldliness Believed in “calling” to do God’s work on Earth

Shared “Protestant ethic” of hard work and engagement in worldly pursuits

Saw worldly blessings (riches) as a sign of God’s grace on the elect

Enjoyed simple pleasures such as eating, drinking, and monogamous sex

“sumptuary laws” (also called “blue laws” for the color paper they were printed on) were passed to control worldly pleasures

Puritan Concept of Hell They believed in a real hell where sinners withered in pain for eternity

This belief kept most Puritans strictly obedient to (what they saw as) the word of God

Trouble in the Bible Commonwealth

The Puritan believers were tightly knit community in MassachusettsMost followed the Puritan orthodoxy (conforming to what is

generally seen as right and true), although there were some dissenters

Quakers Ignored authority of Puritan clergyFined, flogged, banished as punishment4 Quakers hanged in Boston for refusing to obey an order to leave


Anne Hutchinson Intelligent, strong-willed, well-spoken woman

Preached the doctrine of antinomianism Carried to logical extremes Puritan doctrine of predestination

Holy life was no sure of salvation

Truly saved didn’t need to obey the law of either God or man

Antinomianism comes from Greek – “against the law”

In 1638, Anne Hutchinson was put on trial by the Puritans She confounded the Puritan leaders for days

She eventually bragged that she received her beliefs directly from God

The claim of direct revelation was even more serious than the heresy of antinomianism

Because of this, the Puritan leaders banished her

Anne Hutchinson and family traveled to Rhode Island and later New York Hutchinson and all but 1 in her family were killed by American Indians in New York

Puritan leader John Winthrop saw God’s hand in this


Roger Williams Young and popular minister in Salem

Williams was an extreme Separatist; he argued with his fellow clergy about breaking with the Anglican Church

Condemned Massachusetts Bay’s charter because it did not give fair compensation to the American Indians

Denied authority of civil government to regulate religious behavior

In 1635, Williams found guilty of preaching “newe & dangerous opinions” and was exiled Puritans in Massachusetts Bay wanted to exile him to England to prevent him from founding

a competing colony

The Rhode Island “Sewer”

Before he could be sent back to England, Williams fled to Rhode Island in 1636

Williams established religious toleration in Providence, Rhode Island More liberal than any other American colony, more liberal than most Old World cities

Complete freedom of religion, even for Jews and Catholics

No oaths regarding religious beliefs

No compulsory church attendance

No taxes to support a state church

Williams also set up remarkable political freedom in Providence, Rhode Island Universal manhood suffrage, although later restricted by a property qualification

Opposed to special privilege of any kin

Tried to grant freedom of opportunity to all

The Rhode Island “Sewer”

Other dissenters gathered in settlements around Rhode IslandMany had little in common with Roger Williams, apart from not being

welcome anywhere elsePuritan clergy in Boston believed “that sewer” was a rotten

collection of the “Lord’s debris”Made Rhode Islanders much more individualistic and independent

than other colonists

1636 – Rhode Island began as squatter colony without legal standing

1644 – Parliament granted charter to Rhode Island

New England Spreads Out

Fertile Connecticut River Valley attracted a few English and Dutch settlers In 1635 Hartford was founded

In 1636 the Boston Puritans led by Reverend Thomas Hooker settled in Hartford

In 1639 the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut were passed The orders were a modern constitution, establishing a democratic government by the “substantial”

citizens

Later used as basis for colonial and state constitutions of Connecticut

New Haven, Connecticut Settled (without charter from king) by Puritans who wanted an even closer relationship between

church and state than at Massachusetts

Fell into disfavor with Charles II because they harbored 2 judges who had condemned his father (Charles I) to death

In 1662, Charles II granted a charter to Connecticut

Merged New Haven with more democratic settlements of Connecticut River Valley (including Hartford)

Puritans in New Haven did not support this, but had little choice

New England Spreads OutMaine

About 1607, fishermen and fur traders operated on the coast

In 1623, Sir Ferdinando Gorges unsuccessfully attempted colonization

Maine was purchased by Massachusetts Bay from Gorges’ heir in 1677

Remained part of Massachusetts until becoming a state in 1820

New England Spreads Out

New HampshireEarly fishing and trading

activities were carried out along the coast

In 1641 the area was absorbed by the Massachusetts Bay Colony

In 1679 the king separated Massachusetts Bay and New Hampshire into 2 colonies; New Hampshire was made a royal colony

Puritans versus American Indians

As English settlements spread, conflicts with American Indians became unavoidable

American Indians were especially weak in New England In the mid 1610s, an epidemic (probably caused by contact with English fishermen) had

wiped out ¾ of these American Indians

Settlers in Plymouth found open fields (ready to be farmed) and bones of dead American Indians were they arrived

The Wampanoag Indians (near Plymouth colony) at first befriended settlers, partly because they were too weak to resist the whites Cooperation between the whites and American Indians was aided by Squanto, an American

Indian who had been kidnapped by whites and learned English from an English ship captain

In 1621, chief Massasoit signed treaty with whites at Plymouth

Also in 1621, American Indians and whites celebrated first Thanksgiving that autumn


The Pequot (PEE-cwah) Indians were a powerful tribe in the area of Connecticut River Valley

1637 – the Pequot War Hostility broke out between Pequot and whites

Whites (with Narragansett Indian allies) attacked Pequot village on Mystic River, setting fire to homes and shooting fleeing survivors

Pequot tribe was virtually annihilated; uneasy peace lasted 40 years


Puritans missionary activities were half-hearted, especially compared to the Spanish and French CatholicsA few American Indians converted to

Puritanism and English culturePuritans were criticized by critics in

England for not doing more

Only hope for American Indians to resist whites was to unite


1675-1676 – King Philip’s WarMetacom (known as King Philip to whites) was Massasoit’s sonHe united American Indians and staged coordinated attacks on

white settlements throughout New England forcing frontier settlers to retreat to Boston for safety.

King Philip’s War ended in Failure for the nativesHundreds of colonists and many more American Indians were killedMetacom was beheaded and drawn and quartered; his son and wife

were sold into slaveryNatives were weakened and demoralized after defeat; they never

posed a serous threat to New England colonists again.

Seeds of Colonial Unity and Independence

In 1643, 4 colonies banded together to form the New England Confederation At the time, England was involved in the Civil War; was less involved to help and govern

colonies

Powers of confederation were primarily to provide for defense against the natives, French, Dutch, and colonial – only problems (like runaway servants or escaped criminals)

Each colony had 2 votes (regardless of size), opposed to most-populous colony, Massachusetts

Confederation was basically an exclusive Puritan Club Members were Massachusetts Bay Colony, Plymouth, New Haven, Connecticut River Valley

Did not allow heretical or non-Puritan colonies to join like Rhode Island and Maine


Importance of the confederationWeak, but moved colonies closer to unityDelegates learned to work together on matters of inter-

colonial importanceCommoners learned to delegate votes to representatives


Defiance against king’s orders in MassachusettsPuritans there used to independence and frequently ignored King’s

orders

The king decided to punish Massachusetts In 1662, he granted a charter to Connecticut legalizing squatter

settlements there In 1663, Rhode Island received its charter

With this, the king sanctioned the most religiously tolerant government in America

In 1684 the king revoked charter of Massachusetts Bay

Andros Promotes the Frist American Revolution

In 1686, the Dominion of New England was created by the king Imposed by London, not created by colonists themselves (like New

England Confederation)All of New England (ME, NH, MA, RI, CT, and New Haven) includedLater also included New York and East and West Jersey

Purpose of the Dominion of New EnglandWeaken colonies (especially Massachusetts Bay) by giving more

control to royal authorities Provide for united defense against nativesPromote efficiency in administration of English Navigation Law

Andros Promotes the First American Revolution

Navigation Laws Sought to force tighter relations between colonies and England Restricted trade between America and foreign (non-English) colonies Colonists did not support restrictions; smuggling became common

Sir Edmund Andros was appointed to be the governor of the Dominion of New England Andros was autocratic English military man Andros headquartered in Puritanical Boston and quickly generated

hostility among BostoniansOpen affiliation with Church of EnglandSoldiers who taught people to “to drink, blaspheme, curse, and damn”


Andros’ restrictions on colonists made them want to rebel Curbed town meetings

Put heavy restrictions on courts, press, schools Revoked all land titles Taxed people without consent of their elected representatives Worked to enforce Navigation Acts and stop smuggling

1688-1689 Glorious Revolution (Bloodless Revolution) in England Deposed autocratic, unpopular, Catholic James II

Enthroned Protestant rulers of Netherlands, the Dutch William III and his English wife, Mary, daughter of James

When news of the Glorious Revolution reached the colonies

A Boston mob rose to overthrow Andros Andros was caught trying to escape, in women’s clothing, and forced to return to England


Massachusetts did not go back to its condition before the Dominion of New England In 1691 it was made a royal colony with a new charter and a new royal governor

The permanent loss of their original charter was staggering blow to the Puritans

The privilege of voting (once only for church members) now extended to all male property holders

Effects of Glorious Revolution in America 1689-1691 – rebellions rocked New York and Maryland when some Americans took the

opportunity to rebel against royal authority until they were put down by new royal governors

Period of “salutary neglect” began when the new monarchs relaxed royal control on colonial trade and the Navigation Laws were only weakly enforced


Remnants of Charles II attempts to tighten administration over colonies remained English officials (judges, clerks, customs officials) staffed in America

Many were incompetent and corrupt who didn’t care about American affairs

These leaders blocked the rise of local leaders to positions of political power

Americans viewed them with growing contempt and resentment

Old Netherlands at New Netherland

Late 1500s – Netherlands overthrew Spain (with aid of England) to gain independence

The 1600s were a gold age of Dutch history Was a major commercial and naval power, challenging England on sea

There were 3 major Anglo-Dutch naval wars throughout the 1600s because of this rivalry

Also became a major colonial power (mainly in the East Indies) run by the powerful Dutch East India Company

Exploration of Henry Hudson Sailed to Delaware Bay, New York Bay, and then down the Hudson River

Looking for the “Northwest Passage” across Americas to Asia by sea

Was not successful looking for the Northwest passage, but claimed the areas he explored for the Netherlands


Dutch West India Company (DWIC)Much less powerful than Dutch East India CompanyMaintained profitable businesses in the CaribbeanAs interested in raiding (stealing from other countries) as tradingAlso had outposts in Africa and Brazil

New NetherlandWas founded in 1623-1624 in the Hudson River areaEstablished by the DWIC for quick-profit fur trade; the company did

not pay attention to the colonyManhattan was purchased by the company for pennies per (22,000)

acre from the American Indians, who did not technically own it.


New Amsterdam (New York City) DWIC town run in interests of its stockholders

No interest in religious toleration, free speech, or democracy

Governors appointed by company were autocratic

Religious dissenters against the Dutch Reformed Church (including Quakers) were persecuted

A local assembly with limited power to make laws was established after repeated protests by colonists.

Characteristics of New Amsterdam Aristocratic

Patroonships – vast feudal estates along Hudson River granted to promoters who would settle 50 people on them

Cosmopolitan

Diverse population with many different languages

Friction with English and Swedish Neighbors

Problems in New Netherland Incompetent directors-general

Shareholders wanted to dividends, even if it hurt the colony

Natives attacked (after provocations by Dutch)

To defend against the natives, the Dutch built a stone wall; Wall Street takes its name from this wall

New England hostile to New Netherland

New England Confederation members wanted to attack New Netherland but were blocked by Massachusetts, who would have had to provide most of the troops

Swedes in New Netherland In the mid 1600s Sweden settled a small, under-funded colony (called New Sweden) near New

Netherland

In 1655, the Dutch under director-general Peter Stuyvesant attack New Sweden

New Sweden’s main for fell after a bloodless siege; New Sweden was absorbed into New Netherland

Dutch Residues in New York

New Netherland occupied an uncertain status in the mid 1600sRelatively unimportant to the DutchWas near strong English colonies to the NorthAbout ½ of New Netherland’s 5,000 inhabitants were English

In the mid 1600s, Charles II granted New Netherland’s land to his brother, the Duke of York (before he controlled the area)

In 1664, English soldiers moved to attack New NetherlandThe colony had little ammunition and poor defenses; Stuyvesant

was forced to surrender without firing a shot

Dutch Residues in New York

New Amsterdam was renamed New York by the English (for the Duke of York) England gained a harbor strategically located between the northern and southern colonies

England now controlled the entire Atlantic coast (Maine to Carolinas)

Autocratic and Aristocratic spirit remained in New York Corrupt English governors granted huge tracks of land to their supporters

Influential families held disproportionate power

Discouraged many immigrants from coming to New York; the population and physical growth of New York slowed

Long lasting influence of Dutch Names (Harlem, Brooklyn, Hell Gate)

Architecture (gambrel roof)

Easter eggs, Santa Claus, waffles, sauerkraut, bowling, sleighing, skating, kolf (golf)

Penn’s Holy Experiment in Pennsylvania

In the mid 1600s, the Religious Society of Friends arose in England Called Quakers because they “quaked” when under intense religious emotion

Quakers offended religious and secular officials Refused to pay taxes to support Church of England

Built simple meeting houses and met without paid clergy

“spoke up” themselves in meetings

Believed all people were children of God and refused to treat upper class with deference (special respect)

Would take no oaths because Jesus said “Swear not at all”

Government officials still administered “test oaths” to establish fact that a person was not Catholic

Pacifists – refused to serve in military or retaliate against enemies


William Penn, a noble Englishman who was attracted to the Quaker faith; father beat him to discourage this

Penn embraced Quakerism after service in army He suffered much persecution as a result (along with thousands of other Quakers in

England)

In 1681 Penn received a grant from king to Establish colony because he: Wanted to help fellow Quakers escape persecution

Believed in liberal idea of government

Wanted to make a profit

Penn received the huge grant of fertile land to settle a debt the king owed Penn’s father The king named area Pennsylvania (Penn’s woodland)


To advertise Pennsylvania, Penn sent out paid agents and pamphlets Penn’s advertising was generally truthful, unlike other colonial

advertisers Especially welcomed manual workers to build up colony Liberal land policy attracted many immigrants

In 1681 Penn formally founded his colony A few thousand squatter already there were incorporated into the

colony Philadelphia (“brother love” in Greek) was established as the capitol

Philadelphia was a very well-planned city, with wide and attract streets on a grid

Quaker Pennsylvania and its Neighbors

Relations with Natives in Pennsylvania Penn bought (didn’t simply take) land from the American Indians

Quakers were able to travel among the American Indians unharmed

However, non-Quaker Europeans flooded Pennsylvania, treating the natives poorly and undermining the peaceful actions of the Quakers

Pennsylvania’s government Representative assembly elected by landowners

No tax-supported church

Freedom of worship guaranteed to all

Forced to deny right to vote and hold office to Catholics and Jews by English Government

Death penalty only for treason and murder, compared to 200 capital crimes in England


Pennsylvania’s Society No provision for military defense

No restriction on immigration; naturalization made easy

No slavery

“Blue Laws” (sumptuary laws) against stage plays, cards, dice, excessive hilarity

Modern society that gave citizens economic opportunity, civil liberty , and religious freedom

Pennsylvania attracted many different people Religious misfits from other colonies

Many different ethnic groups

Pennsylvania grew rapidly Exporting grain and other agriculture

By 1700 it was surpassed in population and wealth by only Virginia and Massachusetts (both of which had been in existence much longer)


The End of Penn Only spent 4 years (total) in Pennsylvania

Unappreciated by citizens of the colony

Penn’s governors constantly fought with Pennsylvania’s citizens, who wanted greater political control of the colony

Penn died full of sorrows

Thrown into debtors prison for a time; accused of treason 3 times (for befriending deposed King James II), afflicted by paralytic stroke

Penn’s enduring legacy was the establishment of a commonwealth based on civil and religious liberty and dedicated to freedom of conscience and worship


New Jersey In 1664, 2 noble proprietors received this area from the Duke of York

Many New Englanders (because of worn out soil) travelled to New Jersey

In 1674 West New Jersey was sold to a group of Quakers

East New Jersey also was acquired by Quakers

In 1702 East and West Jersey were combined into New Jersey and made 1 royal colony, taking the governing power away from the Quakers

Delaware Named after Lord De La Warr, the harsh military governor of Virginia in the early 1600s

Was closely associated with Penn’s colony

In 1703 the colony was granted its own assembly

Remained under control of Pennsylvania until the American Revolution

The Middle Way in the Middle Colonies

Middle Colonies New York, New Jersey, Delaware, and Pennsylvania

These colonies had many things in common Fertile soil, not rocky like New England

Known as the “bread colonies” because of their exports of grain

Broad rivers allowed furs to be shipped from interior and adventurers to head inland

Susquehanna, Delaware, Hudson

Forests used for lumber and shipbuilding

Important harbors (New York, Philadelphia)

Middle Way (between South and North Middle-sized landholdings – between small farms in New England and large plantations in the South

Local government – between local town meetings of New England and elite county government of South

Industry between large industry of North and small industry in South

The Middle Way in the Middle Colonies

Differences from North and SouthMore ethnically diverseMore religious tolerationMore democratic politically Important compassionate

contribution to freedom on part of Quakers

More desirable landMore economic and social

democracy (except New York)

Settling the Northern Colonies 1619-1700. Regional Differences North, Middle, and South had...

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