Lesson 3: The English Colonies in North America

Key Idea

Unlike other colonies founded for profit, the New England colonies were established by people seeking religious freedom. Groups like the Puritans left England to build a new society where they could practice their faith without interference. They envisioned creating a perfect community guided by their religious principles.

In New England, religion and government were closely linked. Communities were built around the church, and leaders aimed to create a "city upon a hill" as an example for the world. This focus on creating their own rules led to the development of self-government, with colonists creating written plans and forming town meetings to make local decisions.

Key Idea

William Penn was a member of the Quakers, a religious group that faced persecution in England. He wanted to create a safe haven where people could worship freely. In 1681, the English king granted him a large area of land in America to repay a debt owed to Penn’s father.

Penn established a government that was radical for its time. It guaranteed settlers freedom of religion and other basic rights. This plan also gave colonists a voice in their government, making Pennsylvania an attractive destination for people seeking both religious and political freedom.

Key Idea

When the Virginia colony was founded, an appointed governor held absolute power. This meant colonists had little say in their government, even though they had been promised the rights of English citizens.

In 1619, the Virginia Company allowed settlers to form the House of Burgesses. This group of elected representatives was the first representative assembly in America. For the first time, colonists had a formal voice in making their own laws.

Key Idea

The Southern colonies' economy depended on large plantations growing cash crops like tobacco. To work these huge farms, planters first relied on indentured servants—Europeans who worked for a set number of years to pay for their passage to America.

As the supply of indentured servants decreased and the demand for labor grew, the system changed. Planters turned to the forced labor of enslaved Africans. New laws made slavery a permanent and inherited condition, creating a brutal, race-based system that would define the South's economy and society for generations.