Colonization of America

DURING the sixteenth century the work of colonizing America was left almost entirely to the people of Spain. While the other nations of Europe were contenting themselves with occasional voyages of discovery, or with slave-carrying expeditions and piratical raids, the Spaniards were extending their dominion in the New

World with a rapidity and energy in striking contrast with their present supineness. Colonization in the West Indies began immediately after the first voyage of Columbus, and was prosecuted with such vigor that in a few years the four larger islands were completely under Spanish control, and their native inhabitants largely annihilated, while the remainder were reduced to slavery. The settlement of the mainland was prosecuted with similar activity.

Colonies were established on the coasts of South and Central America, and in 1519 Cortez began that memorable expedition which soon subjected the Aztec empire of Mexico to his sway. From this region the Spanish dominion extended south throughout Central America, and northward to California and New Mexico, which

Coronado invaded in 1540. South America was settled with no less rapidity. The conquest of Mexico was quickly followed by that of the extensive empire of Peru. Chili was conquered in 1541, with the exception of the country of the Araucanians, the only Indian nation which has successfully held its own against European invasion. In a comparatively short time the whole of western

South America from the lower boundary of Chili to the Caribbean coast was Spanish territory. In 1535, Buenos Ayres was colonized by Mendoza. These first colonists were driven to Paraguay by the Indians, but in 1580 Juan de Garay founded a more successful colony. Among the most remarkable examples of Spanish activity was the expedition of

Orellana in 1541. In 1540, Gonzalo Pizarro left Quito with an expedition that crossed the Andes and journeyed eastward through the forests of western Brazil till stopped by peril of starvation. Then a brigantine was built, which, manned by a cavalier named Orellana, sailed down the river Napo to its junction with the Amazons, and down the latter great stream to the Atlantic, thus accomplishing the crossing of the

South American continent at its widest part nearly three centuries before such a result was achieved in the parallel section of North America. In the region of the United States the Spaniards were no less active in exploration, as shown by the expeditions of Narvaez and De Soto yet but one small settlement was made that of St. Augustine, in Florida. The only other people who showed any colonizing activity in the sixteenth

century were the Portuguese, who slowly spread their settlements along the coast of Brazil, until by the end of the century the whole line of coast from the La Plata to the Amazons was studded with their colonies. These had the merit of being the first settlements made in America on agricultural principles, the desire for the precious metals being the active moving cause

in all the Spanish explorations and colonizations. During this period a few unsuccessful efforts to establish colonies marked the limit of activity in the other nations of Europe. A French colony on the coast of Brazil was suppressed by the Portuguese, and a similar colony in Florida ended in massacre. French efforts in the region of the

St. Lawrence were equally unsuccessful, while the English colonies of Raleigh ended in disaster. The only permanent settlement was that made by some Dutch people in 1580, near the river Pomeroon, in Guiana. In 1595, Raleigh made an expedition to this region, and ascended the Orinoco in search of the fabled El Dorado. He attempted no settlement, but in the succeeding century

English and French settlers established themselves in Guiana, dividing the ownership of this territory with the Dutch. Such was the result of the efforts at colonization in America during the sixteenth century. From the northern line of Mexico to the southern extremity of the continent the

Spanish and Portuguese had established themselves in nearly every available region. But North America from the Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean was still in the hands of the aboriginal inhabitants, with the sole exception of the Spanish colony of St. Augustine, in Florida. The seventeenth century was destined to be the era of settlement of this important region, mainly by the English and

French, but to a minor extent by the Dutch and Swedes. Charter to Sir Walter Raleigh 1584 Everybody remembers Jamestown, Capt. John Smith, Pocahontas and all the rest. But do you remember Roanoke In 1585, after a small scouting expedition had returned from North America with two Native Americans and many astonishing stories,

Sir Walter Raleigh tried to establish a colony called Roanoke in the land which the British named Virginia, in honor of Elizabeth, the Virgin Queen. The site was actually an island on North Americas eastern seaboard protected by the outer banks of what is now North Carolinas coast. Sir Richard Grenville led the fleet that brought them to the

New World, the Governor of the colony was Master Ralph Lane and among the colonists was Walter Raleighs confidant Thomas Harriot, author of A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia, a chronicle of their adventure. Sir Francis Drake, who was seeking Spanish conquests in the

New World, rescued this group just as they were losing control of their situation. Another colony was left at Roanoke in 1587 but by 1590, when a long delayed supply ship finally arrived, they had disappeared without a trace. This was the so-called Lost Colony. A baby was born in Roanoke at this time. Little Virginia Dare, was the granddaughter of John

White, the appointed Governor of the Lost Colony, and was probably the first English baby born in the New World. Sir Walter Raleigh sent ships to America to search for the colonists but they were unsuccessful. By the time the next English settlers arrived in North America to colonize Jamestown it was nearly twenty years later and, although several attempts were made

to find out what happened to them, the fate of the Lost Colony was never fully explained. 1607 Virginia Based on George Weymouths accounts of voyages to the New England area in 1606, two private companies were formed to seek a patent for colonization on the Atlantic Coast. One of these companies was called the

London Company and it was given the southern Virginia territory. The other company was called the Plymouth Company and its patent was for northern Virginia. Both companies quickly sought to exercise their patents but the London Company was the first to actually place colonists on the shore. In 1607, 105 London Company sponsored settlers arrived from

England to begin the story that we all remember from our school days. Since they were there representing England and its King, James I, they settled in an encampment they called Jamestown on a river they named the James River. The first year was devastating for the colonists, with only 32 colonists surviving the winter and only then because

Native Americans living in the area came to their aid with food. After a supply ship arrived the next year they had additional provisions but many more colonists to feed as well. Once again, over the winter, most of the colonists died of starvation and from hostile encounters with their neighbors. As winter came to a close, ships arrived, and most of them were ready to leave. But as they were leaving, Lord Thomas de la

Warr Delaware is named after him arrived from England with new supplies and more settlers. He refused to let the survivors return to England. Slowly, as they reached agreements with the local Native American tribes and they learned how to grow some of their own crops, the colony began to prosper. Most of those original Jamestown settlers were after profit, mainly riches in the form of gold and

other precious metals. They had not given enough thought to the perils that they would face in this unknown land. One of the settlers, however, was familiar with hardship and was committed to Jamestowns survival. Capt. John Smith was a soldier and adventurer. He had fought in France and Hungary, been captured and escaped. Although his personality caused him some initial problems with the other colonists he arrived in

Jamestown in chains after alienating the leaders of the expedition he eventually made contact with the local Native American chieftain Powhatan, who provided the colonists with much of their food in that first year. Capt. Smith was eventually even appointed leader of the colony. One of Powhatans children, a daughter called Pocahontas, visited the colonists in the early years and even brought food and other provisions to them. Several years later in an attempt to obtain bargaining

advantage over Powhatan the colonists kidnapped Pocahontas and she stayed with them in Jamestown. A colonist, John Rolfe who incidentally was the first of the colonists to cultivate commercial quality tobacco and start the Colony on its way towards profitability eventually married her and took her to England. She died as they were preparing to return to Virginia. In 1619 a group of 20 African slaves arrived in

Jamestown on a Dutch ship. Grouped with the Southern Colonies, Virginia started out as a Corporate colony granted by Royal charter to a Company of investors who have governing rights but in 1624 became a Royal colony subject to the governing authority of the granting Royalty. In 1676 the village of Jamestown was nearly destroyed during

Bacons Rebellion. In 1788 Virginia was the tenth state to ratify the Constitution and recommended the Bill of Rights be added. 1620 Massachusetts In 1607, about the same time as the Jamestown colonization, a group of English colonists attempted to establish a colony in the Northern Virginia territory. The colony was located in present day

Maine and was named Popham. It lasted for approximately a year before the discouraged settlers returned to England. The Pilgrims were the first English colonists to permanently settle in New England in what we now know as Massachusetts. On Sept. 16, 1620 the ship Mayflower set off from Plymouth, England on it journey to the New World. There were 102 passengers on the

Mayflower including 41 Christian Puritan Separatists known collectively as the Leiden group. After spending many years in Holland exiled from the English Church, the Puritans were seeking a new life of religious freedom in America. All 102 of the passengers were referred to as the Pilgrims after they arrived. The group had obtained a

Patent from the London Virginia Company which indentured them into service for the Company for seven years after they arrived and settled. To prepare for their life in America, they had sought advice from people who had already visited the New World. Among their advisors was Captain John Smith who, earlier, had helped found Jamestown for the Virginia Company. It took sixty six days to reach

New England and the journey was very hard for these non-seafarers. When they arrived they anchored off the tip of Cape Cod, in an area now known as Massachusetts, and before they even set foot on shore they wrote, and all the men signed, an agreement called the Mayflower Compact that would set the rules to guide them through the early, hard times of establishing a new community.

The Compact, which was signed on November 21, 1620, served as the official Constitution of the Plymouth Colony for many years. For nearly a month they explored, by foot and in boats, the area around Cape Cod using the maps they had obtained in England. During their exploration they had a few minor encounters with the local natives.

Finally, on December 21, they decided on a location near Plymouth Harbor which they named Plymouth. Nearly half of the colonists and crew died from illnesses that first winter as they struggled to build their town. The following spring they were visited by a local Wampanoag native named Samoset who, surprisingly, spoke some broken

English. Eventually he introduced the settlers to another native named Squanto whos village had occupied the area before the Pilgrims arrived. Squanto had been kidnapped by English explorers and while he was in Europe the rest of his people had all been killed by diseases brought by European explorers. Squanto spoke English very well and he stayed with the

Pilgrims and taught them many valuable skills that enabled them to survive in their new country. He also played a very big part in bringing the Pilgrims and the local native population together, leading, eventually to a long, but restless, peace. Not long after the Pilgrims arrived in Plymouth 1628 the Puritans came to Massachusetts and settled Naumkeag later called Salem.

John Winthrop, carrying the Massachusetts Bay Charter, arrived in 1630 and founded Boston. Maine was annexed to Massachusetts in 1652 and later the Plymouth Colony was too. The relationship between the Native tribes and the colonists in New England was always strained but generally didnt result in much bloodshed. In 1637 colonists,with the cooperation of several local tribes, mounted a devastating attack

on a tribe known as the Pequots and then, in 1675, the long accord that had existed between the New England colonists and the local native tribes came apart in a bloody war known as King Phillips War after the leader of the Wampanoag tribe, Metacomet, who was also known by his English nickname King Phillip. Metacomet was the son of Massasoit the

Wampanoag leader who had originally greeted the Plymouth settlers. Massachusetts was a New England colony which started out as a Corporate colony but became a Royal colony in 1691 In 1788 Massachusetts was the sixth state to ratify the Constitution. 1626 New York originally New Amsterdam

Although the Dutch West India Co. explored and began to settle the New York area as early as 1614, this is the story we all remember from our early history lessons. Peter Minuit settled on Manhattan Island with other Dutch settlers and bought the island from the local Indians for 60 gilders 24. worth of goods. He named his settlement on the island

New Amsterdam. The Dutch holdings in the area were collectively called New Netherlands. New Amsterdam was granted self government by the Dutch in 1652. In 1664, after King Charles II decided to reclaim the territory between Virginia and New England, Peter Stuyvesant surrendered to English forces and New Amsterdam was given to the Kings brother, the

Duke of York, and renamed New York. One of the Middle Colonies, New York originally started out as a Proprietary colony granted by Royalty to one or more proprietors who had full governing rights but in 1685 became a Royal colony In 1788 New York became the eleventh state to ratify the Constitution. 1633 Maryland In 1632 Charles I granted a

Maryland Charter to Lord Baltimore George Calvert, Baron of Baltimore. Lord Baltimore wanted very much to see the Colony become a reality and his son Cecil saw to it that the new Colony was settled. In 1633 the first group of settlers set sail for Maryland to establish a colony of freemen led by Leonard

Calvert, Cecil Calverts younger brother. One of the Southern Colonies, Maryland was a Proprietary colony Maryland was the seventh state to ratify the Constitution in 1788. 1636 Rhode Island Roger Williams was driven from Massachusetts for espousing religious and political freedom. After spending the winter with the Indians he finally bought land from them in what is now called

Providence. The new colony became a haven for those seeking religious freedom. A New England Colony, Rhode Island was established as a Corporate colony Rhode Island was the last of the 13 colonies to ratify the Federal Constitution and became a State in 1790. 1636 Connecticut After being driven from Massachusetts,

Clergyman Thomas Hooker and his followers arrived in Hartford and declared freedom from all save Divine Authority. In 1639 the Fundamental Orders were enacted to govern the colony. In 1662 Connecticut finally obtained a Royal Charter under John Winthrop Jr. One of the New England Colonies,

Connecticut was also a Corporate colony In 1788 Connecticut was the fifth state to ratify the Constitution. 1638 Delaware originally New SwedenIn 1631, the first settlement was attempted in Delaware by Dutch traders led by Captain David Pietersen de Vries. By 1632 the party had been killed by the local natives. In 1638, Peter Minuet, now in the service of the Swedish, led a group of

Swedish settlers to the Delaware River area under a grant from the New Sweden Company. The Dutch gained control of the land in 1655 from the Swedish. In 1664 the English obtained Delaware after defeating the Dutch. In 1682 Delaware was awarded to William Penn but his control didnt last and Delaware became independent in 1701. One of the Middle

Colonies, Delaware was a Proprietary colony Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution and become a State in 1787. 1638 New Hampshire John Wheelwright, banished from Boston, founded the colony of New Hampshire. In 1639 the settlers signed the Exeter Compact patterned after the Mayflower Compact. One of the

New England Colonies, New Hampshire started out as a Proprietary colony but it became a Royal colony in 1679. In 1788 New Hampshire was the ninth state to ratify the Constitution after which it was officially adopted. 1653 North Carolina Virginia colonists began to settle the

North Carolina region in 1653 to provide a buffer for the southern frontier. In 1691 Albermarle, the northern Carolina region, was officially recognized by the English crown. This is the first time the North Carolina designation was used. One of the Southern Colonies, North Carolina started out as a Proprietary colony but obtained a Royal charter in 1729 from

Charles II. After agreeing to the first 12 amendments, in 1789, North Carolina became the 12th state to ratify the new Constitution. 1663 South Carolina South Carolina was the site of the first European settlement in North America. In 1526 San Miguel de Guadalupe was established by settlers from Hispanolia.

The party returned to Hispanolia after suffering many deaths due to fever the first year. In 1663 King Charles II created the colony of Carolina named for King Charles II by granting the territory, of what is now roughly North Carolina, South Carolina and Georgia, to loyal supporters. This colonial charter was challenged by many Virginians who had settled in

Albermarle Sound and resented their inclusion in the Carolina Charter. Charleston originally Charles Town after the King was founded in 1670 by a group of 200 colonists from English Barbados. The leader of the colonists was Sir John Yeamans, a powerful plantation owner on Barbados.

One of the Southern Colonies, South Carolina started out as a Proprietary colony but also became a Royal colony in 1729. In 1788 South Carolina was the eighth state to ratify the Constitution. 1664 New Jersey After obtaining control of Dutch holdings lying between Virginia and New England, the

Duke of York made a proprietary grant, to Sir George Carteret and Lord Berkeley, of the land between the Hudson and the Delaware River. These men intended to profit from real estate sales. The new grant was named New Jersey for Carteret, who was governor of the Isle of Jersey. One of the Middle Colonies, New Jersey started out as a

Proprietary colony but in 1702 it was granted a Royal charter New Jersey, in 1787, was the third state to ratify the Constitution. 1682 Pennsylvania Homepage, Constitution In 1681 what is now, roughly, the state of Pennsylvania was granted to William Penn, a member of the Society of Friends Quakers, to offset a debt owed to

Penns father. In 1682 the city plan for Philadelphia was laid out. In 1682 the Frame of Government for Pennsylvania was put into effect. In 1683 the first German settlers arrived in Pennsylvania and formed Germantown near Philadelphia. One of the Middle Colonies, Pennsylvania was a Proprietary colony In 1763, Charles

Mason and Jeremiah Dixon, two young British astronomers commissioned to establish a borderline between Maryland and Pennsylvania, worked for more than four years to settle a century-old boundary dispute between the Calverts of Maryland and the Penns of Pennsylvania by establishing the Mason-Dixon Line. In 1787 Pennsylvania was the second state to ratify the Constitution. 1732 Georgia Homepage, Constitution Roots-

L Database, Georgia History , Georgia Before Oglethorpe, JEO Tercentenary Home Page, Georgia History, North Georgia History, Georgia in the American Revolution, Rare Map Collection - Revolutionary Georgi There were a few Spanish settlements along the coast, north of Florida, in the 16th and early 17th century but what is

now Georgia was originally just the southern portion of the Carolina grant. Hoping to provide a second chance for adventurous members of the English under class, King George II, in 1732, granted Georgia to James Edward Oglethorpe, an English general. In addition to its lofty social goals the new Colony was also intended to provide additional protection

for its northern colonial partners. Prior to Oglethorpe and his party settling the area in 1733, Fort King George was the only English occupation in the area. The Fort, which was established in 1721, was the Southern-most post in the Colonies and was situated to provide a buffer against Spanish and French intrusion from the South. In 1738,

General Oglethorpe brought a large military contingent to Georgia and the following year his troops provided a strong showing against the Spanish in King Georges War the War of Austrian Succession in Europe. General Oglethorpe led his men into St. Augustine and although they were not able to obtain a victory there, when the Spanish sailed into Georgia seeking retaliation two years later, he and his

soldiers were able to drive the Spanish back to Florida for, what turned out to be, the last time. One of the Southern Colonies, Georgia started out as a Proprietary colony but eventually became a Royal colony in 1752. In 1788 Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the Constitution.