HIST 1301W Lecture Notes - Lecture 3: Headright, Atlantic World, Bacon
Document Summary
Why english colonies eclipsed iberian colonies and france. Joint stock, political and economic risk taking, eagerness to move out of england, Eastern seaboard neglected for much of 16th century. Crown issued licenses and monopolies to private adventurers. West country men goals: to plant christian religion, to trafficeke, to conquer. Estimated 24k natives living in the area (led by powhatan) Dec. 1606: 120 colonists head to america led by john smith. But infested with mosquitoes and malaria, bad water. By 1616 virginia co. sends 50k pounds and 1700 settlers, only 350 remain. Headright system-50 free acres to each free person & + 50 for each person. Price of tobacco goes up in england despite large number of new farmers. Vast majority of women were married, 15% of men married. 23 people listed at black in census of 1624 (pop 1218) Open system of govt, still less than 25% of men able to vote. House of commons elected by property owning males.
