Unit 2A -- Early Colonial Period (1585 to 1640)
Six countries settle North America
For the purposes of this lecture, we will deal only with the French and English settlements. I dealt with the Spanish last time, although I would like to remind you that the oldest surviving settlement in the United States is a former Spanish town: St. Augustine, Florida. The Russians aren't important until much later. As for the Dutch and the Swedes, their settlements will be dealt with when I get to English colonization in the mid-Atlantic region.
An important fact to remember: Europe in two distinct camps after the Reformation
Overall, it's important to remember that by this time nations are solidifying their power with respect to the church, whatever the institution. Even in Catholic countries, the Church is losing some power Vis a Vis the state
Back to the lecture:
France
England
English Monarchs, the Reformation and Colonial America
Henry VII -- 1485 to 1509 -- Strong Catholic -- John Cabot voyages to the New World
Henry VIII -- 1509 to1547 -- "Defender of the Faith" -- Begins English Reformation in the 1530s when he wants to divorce his wife (Catherine of Aragon) -- English Church will still be Catholic but with no allegiance to Rome
Edward VI -- 1547 to 1553 -- Strong Lutheran style Protestant -- tries to turn England fully to Protestantism by reforming the Church -- sickly monarch -- dies young
Mary I (Bloody Mary) -- 1553 to 1558 -- daughter of Catherine -- staunchly Catholic -- executes Protestants
Elizabeth I -- 1558 to 1603 -- Break with Rome final -- Spanish Armada Defeated -- Anglican Church (Protestant but Catholic) -- Roanoke Colony (1585) -- English pirates set their eyes on Spanish gold
James I -- 1603 to 1625 -- Scottish king takes the throne -- King James Version of the Bible -- Virginia and Plymouth founded -- Separatists persecuted and flee to Holland and America
Charles I -- 1625 to 1649 -- James's Son -- Problems with Parliament over money and Religion -- Puritans growing stronger at home -- Massachusetts and Maryland founded -- Civil War with the Puritans (Presbyterians) ends in Charles's head rolling on the floor
Commonwealth -- 1649 to 1660 -- Oliver Cromwell -- Puritans in control of England -- Winthrop can't go home, however, due to Presbyterianism vs. Congregationalism
Charles II -- 1660 to 1685 -- The Restoration -- Charles II invited back from France to assume the Crown -- Carolinas and Pennsylvania founded by the King's friends -- New York taken by the Duke of York (Charles's brother) -- Dominion of New England begins -- 1676 in Virginia and New England
James II -- 1685 to 1688 -- Catholic -- tried to lean England back towards Catholicism -- when a son is born that is to be raised openly Catholic, thereby establishing a Catholic line of Succession, Parliament steps in and invites William and Mary to take the throne. Dominion of New England Deepens
William and Mary -- 1689 to 1702 (Mary dies in 1694) -- "Glorious Revolution" brings William and Mary to the throne, but gives most of the power to Parliament -- Kings will never really rule England again -- (War of the League of Augsburg) King William's War (1689 to 1697)
Anne -- 1702 to 1714 -- Queen Anne's War (War of Spanish Succession) from 1701 to 1713 -- Peace of Utrecht gives Arcadia and Hudson Bay to the English
George I -- 1714 to 1727 -- German happy to be king (related to William) -- doesn't speak English -- Parliament in control -- "Salutary Neglect" in the colonies
George II -- 1727 to 1760 -- Salutary neglect continued -- King George's War (War of Austrian Succession) from 1739 to 1748 -- Louisbourg, a major French fortress in the New World, captured by colonial New Englanders, but given back to France in the peace treaty (for important concessions in India and elsewhere) -- Georgia founded -- French and Indian War (Seven Years War) starts in 1754 in North America, 1756 in Europe
George III -- 1760 to 1820 -- American Revolution and the War of 1812 -- We'll deal with George III later
Virginia (Southern Colonies) -- Show me the Money
Massachusetts (New England) -- Religious Choice