Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings 1492-1625

1. Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings 1492-1625 VUS.2/AP topic 2

2. Mediterranean Crossroadgoldgunsspices Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings, 1492-1690

3. (Chapter 2) Bartholomew Gosnold Trading with Wampanoag Indians at Martha’s Vineyard (1602) One dimension of the Atlantic world was the exchange of goods between Native Americans and visiting Europeans. In this print, Theodore de Bry, a Dutch engraver, depicts English explorer Bartholomew Gosnold’s visit to the island of Martha’s Vineyard, off the Massachusetts coast, in 1602. On the basis of two crew members’ published accounts, de Bry made this print and included it in one of the thirteen volumes of illustrations, both his own and others’, of European voyages to the “New World.” In de Bry’s rendering, Indians clamber aboard the ship on the right while Englishmen come ashore in the foreground, offering knives to their hosts in exchange for belts of wampum. Other Englishmen approach Indians’ houses to the left, and two more English ships appear in the background. Altogether it is a scene characterized by unmitigated friendliness and harmony between the two peoples. Although the men carry and exchange weapons, there is nothing to suggest that they are anxious or suspicious of one another. The written accounts provide a more complicated story. Although relations began on the friendly footing de Bry represents, mutual suspicions and distrust grew to hostility until the English withdrew five weeks after they arrived. Despite this discouraging conclusion, the English remained optimistic about the prospect of colonizing Martha’s Vineyard. Although “some of the baser sort [of Indians] would steal,” wrote one, “the better sort [political leaders] we found very civil and just.” Perhaps even more importantly, he added that “the wholesomeness and temperature of this climate rather increased our health than otherwise and . . . not one of us was sick.” and Textiles in New England). • Why would de Bry have emphasized the friendliness of the encounter and overlooked the tensions that arose? Does the picture suggest in any way that one side had an advantage over the other?

4. (Chapter 2)Bartholomew Gosnold Trading with Wampanoag Indians at Martha’s Vineyard (1602) • Why would de Bry have emphasized the friendliness of the encounter and overlooked the tensions that arose? Does the picture suggest in any way that one side had an advantage over the other?

5. 4 Reasons for Exploring curiosity personal wealth christianity national power

6. First European contacts with Native Americans • Viking voyages and settlement around 1000 made no lasting impact • Christopher Columbus 1492 (15th century) • Backed by Spanish Isabella & Ferdinand • Disappointing 3 more voyages • Died in 1506, still thought he found Asia via Western route • Why not before?

7. Map 2.3: Major Transatlantic Explorations, 1000–1587

8. Map 2.1: Europe, Africa, and Southwestern Asia in 1500

9. Reasons for European exploration • Technology: gun powder & sailing compass (both Chinese origin) , printing press • Religious conflict: CC vs. Ottoman Turks; CC v. Protestants (Reformation) • Expanding Economy: Europeans competed to trade with Asia by land until 1453 (Ottoman took Constantinople) • Developing Nation-States: monarchs needed revenues to spread power

10. Map 2.2: Major Religions in Europe, c. 156033

11. Your turn Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings, 1492-1690 What do you know about 16th century Christianity? Types of Christianity? supreme being Dogma (rules) Structure Dissenters

12. Protestantism: priest has no special power, wanted Bible translated, increased literacy & indoctrination

13. Map 2.5: European Imperial Claims and Settlements in Eastern North America, 1565–1625

14. Spain’s empire in South America • Explorers and conquistadors—increased gold supply 500% • Vasco Nunez de Balboa—crossed Panama to Pacific • Ferdinand Magellan--circumnavigate • Hernan Cortes--Aztec • Francisco Pizzaro—Inca • Exploited Indian labor by encomienda system, then asiento system (tax to king) for importing Africans • Encomienda allows gov’t to commend (give) Indians to colonists, who promised to Christianize them • “a moral pestilence invented by Satan” said Bartolome de Las Casas, missionary

15. Spain & Portugal first to lay claim in N. World1493 Pope drew vertical line: Spain got west, Portugal got East =treaty of TordelsillasBrazil for Portugal; Spain got rest of Americas

16. Spain’s empire in North America • Florida: St. Augustine is first permanent European settlement in future US soil • Strong Native Indian resistance • New Mexico: Santa Fe in 1609; Peublos revolted against harsh Christianizing • Pope’s Rebellion 1680: took Spaniards ½ century to reclaim N. Mexico • Texas: Got kicked out of N. Mexico, settled here • California: responded to Russian exploration fr. Alaska; est. 9 missions by Franciscan order—Father Junipero Serra • Differed from English: married Indians vs. reservation1769

17. French colonized Canada 1524 • Pre-occupied with religious conflict: CC vs. Huguenots • 1st Permanent Fr. Colony: Quebec on St. Lawrence River • Samuel de Champlain • Louisiana: Mississippi basin; named for king in 1682 • French exploration of Canada did not lead to large-scale immigration from France, and relations with native peoples were often more cooperative

18. (Chapter 2) The Beaver as Worker and as Prey To Europeans who were visiting or colonizing, America’s abundance was astonishing both as a natural phenomenon and for its economic potential. Particularly striking to French explorers, officials, and entrepreneurs were the unfamiliar flora, fauna, and peoples they encountered in Canada. At the same time, they recognized the wealth that would accrue to those who tapped some of these resources, particularly the skins of fur-bearing animals and the labor of Native peoples. Accordingly, they focused on the acquisition, through trade with Native Americans, of pelts that French manufacturers could transform into European consumer goods, above all, beaver hats. The joined engravings you see here depict respectively the astonishment and calculation of the French. They are two of several scenes that appeared at the edge of an elaborate French map, depicting the wonders of various lands in the “New World.” On the left, Niagara Falls stands behind an industrious community of beavers who are building a dam. The dam appears to be nearly as spectacular as the falls. On the right, equally industrious Native Americans, aided by dogs, break open beaver dwellings in order to seize the otherwise defenseless rodents. In the right foreground, a hunter spies a bear in the tree while other hunters pursue a moose in the background. All the animals appear as easy prey for the skilled Indian hunters. What did the two pictures, taken together, tell viewers about beavers in Canada? The engraving to the right is also interesting for its depiction of Native Americans. European visual representations of Indians during the colonial period varied widely. Whereas some depicted them as monstrous and menacing, others showed them in ways that were unthreatening to Europeans. Where would this engraving fit within this range? What do you think motivated the map’s producers to include these two illustrations?

19. (Chapter 2)The Beaver as Worker and as Prey

20. English claims • 1497 John Cabot explored coast of Newfoundland but England didn’t follow up • Preoccupied with Henry VIII’s break with CC • 1570s-1580s: Elizabeth seized Spanish ships—Francis Drake • 1587: Sir Walter Raleigh attempted Roanoke Island but failed (embarrassing) • Then Spanish Armada defeated 1588 • English Golden Age begins

21. Tudor Rulers of England Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings, 1492-1690

22. Population increasedDepression hit woolen districts causing high unemploymentprimogeniture law: eldest son inherits--younger sons: Drake, Raleigh Decline in Real Wages in England, 1500–1700

23. The Beginnings of English Colonization, 1603-1625 • No $ fr., crown or Parliament, joint-stock company stepped in to finance ventures • Va Co. of Plymouth failed in Maine • Va Co. of London: Jamestown only 38 out of 105 lived • After councilor died & some returned to England, Cpt John Smith (28) stepped in to lead • Reconciled w/ Powhatan through mock execution, saved by Pocahontas • 1609: 400 died out of 500 • Tobacco; head-right system (50 acres); indenture servants Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings, 1492-1690

24. Columbian Exchange To Old World To New World Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings, 1492-1690

25. New England: Massachusetts Bay 1630 • Not Separatists; persecuted by new king, Charles I • 1630: Came with Ma. Bay Co. led by John Winthrop • Great Migration (15,000 more settlers) during 1630s due to a civil war • Rep. gov’t albeit limited English Migration 1610–1660

26. Important places & people + Transatlantic Encounters and Colonial Beginnings, 1492-1690 Joint-stock company Predestination “new slavery” Columbian exchange Indentured servants