HISTORY COLONISATION

1. English History Before
Colonization

British celts wiped out by Angles, Saxons and Jutes
of Germany (except Scotland and Wales)

French “Normans” invade in 1066, bring Islamic
legal ideas from their conquests in southern Italy

Common law begins in about the 12th
century

Magna Carta, 1215 (the “Great Charter”)

Protestant Reformation: England becomes Protestant

2. Protestant Reformation:
Reversals of Power
1500: Henry VIII – Catholic (sort of)
1547-53: Edward VI – Protestant
1553-58: Mary I (Bloody Mary) – Catholic
1558-1603: Elizabeth I – Protestant

1588: Spanish Armada destroyed
1603-25: James I – Protestant
1625-49: Charles I – Catholic
1640-50: English Civil War
1649: Monarchy abolished by Oliver Cromwell's Roundheads
1660-1685: Charles II – Converted to Catholicism on deathbed
1685-88: James II – Catholic
1689: “Glorious Revolution” (English crown reverts to
Protestantism permanently)
1689-1702: William of Orange and Queen Mary – Protestant

3. Development of English Common
law
[Stare decisis] is a maxim among ... lawyers, that
whatever has been done before may legally be
done again: and therefore they take special care
to record all the decisions formerly made against
common justice and the general reason of
mankind.
— Jonathan Swift, sarcastic remarks
in Gulliver’s Travels

4. Common law concepts

Trial by jury (before Magna Carta)

Stare Decisis: Don't change past precedents,
dependability and fairness in law

Ban on “Ex Post Facto” laws: Don't ban
something done in the past

“Habeas Corpus”: No imprisonment without a
court hearing

5. The First English Exploration

Henry Cabot: First English charter (he was
Italian) to new world, landing in Canada in 1497
(lost at sea in a later voyage)

Defeat of Spanish Armada in 1588 left the seas
open to English pirates, and explorers

Francis Drake: Pirate, second in command
during the Spanish Armada, explorer, traveled
around the world, late 1500s

Henry Hudson: Explored Canada, New Jersey,
sought Northwest passage, early 1600s

6. 
Edward Coke's Petition of Right
(1623)
No taxation without representation: “no
man hereafter be compelled to make or
yield any gift, loan, benevolence, tax,
or such like charge, without common
consent by act of parliament”

English Bill of Rights (1689)
“...that the subjects which are Protestants
may have arms for their defence
suitable to their conditions and as
allowed by law”
“That excessive bail ought not to be
required, nor excessive fines imposed,
nor cruel and unusual punishments
inflicted”
Human Rights under English
common law before colonization
U.S. Constitution and Bill of
Rights

“All bills for raising Revenue shall
originate in the House of
Representatives” (Constitution, Article
I, Section 7)

“A well regulated Militia, being
necessary to the security of a free
State, the right of the people to keep
and bear Arms, shall not be infringed.”
(Second Amendment)

“Excessive bail shall not be required,
nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel
and unusual punishments inflicted.”
(Eighth Amendment)

7. Enlightenment

Revolution in Science and logic

John Locke “Second Treatise on Government”

William Blackstone “Commentaries on the Laws
of England”

Adam Smith “The Wealth of Nations” 1776
Division of labor
Political economy
Tariffs - a tax on imports
Montesquieu - The Spirit of the Laws

8. Native AmericansNative Americans
Why did Native Americans fail toWhy did Native Americans fail to
hold their territory?hold their territory?
Why did the Europeans prevail?Why did the Europeans prevail?

9. 1. The Horse and the Wheel1. The Horse and the Wheel

Pack animals (horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, etc.)Pack animals (horses, donkeys, mules, oxen, etc.)
didn't exist in the American continents.didn't exist in the American continents.

The Incas of South America had llamas, but evenThe Incas of South America had llamas, but even
these didn't really help develop any need for mass-these didn't really help develop any need for mass-
use of wheels and abundant agriculture.use of wheels and abundant agriculture.

Agriculture with pack animals freed up society fromAgriculture with pack animals freed up society from
hunting and gathering and subsistence agriculture,hunting and gathering and subsistence agriculture,
which allowed societal progress ... and morewhich allowed societal progress ... and more
warfare.warfare.

10. 2. Gunpowder2. Gunpowder
Gunpowder was a major technological advantage of
Eurasians over Aboriginal Americans.

11. 3. Writing3. Writing

Most of the Aboriginal Americans did not haveMost of the Aboriginal Americans did not have
writingwriting

None had an alphabetNone had an alphabet

None had books or librariesNone had books or libraries

The written word is a way of transmittingThe written word is a way of transmitting
knowledge accurately from generation to generation.knowledge accurately from generation to generation.

Without writing, all we have is the inaccurate oralWithout writing, all we have is the inaccurate oral
traditiontradition

12. 4. Steel4. Steel

Aboriginal Americans at the time of Columbus had aAboriginal Americans at the time of Columbus had a
variety of technology levels with metals, but nonevariety of technology levels with metals, but none
were forging steelwere forging steel

Some used copper, silver and gold only (Aztecs usedSome used copper, silver and gold only (Aztecs used
soft gold for toilet seats, among other ornamentalsoft gold for toilet seats, among other ornamental
uses)uses)

Steel is an alloy of iron and carbon (which increasesSteel is an alloy of iron and carbon (which increases
the hardness), often with other metalsthe hardness), often with other metals

Harder, more rust-resistant metals providedHarder, more rust-resistant metals provided
Eurasians an advantageEurasians an advantage

13. 5. Disease5. Disease

Europeans also unwittingly brought diseases fromEuropeans also unwittingly brought diseases from
Europe, such as smallpox, which the natives had notEurope, such as smallpox, which the natives had not
experienced before, and had not built up resistanceexperienced before, and had not built up resistance
to.to.

The result was that as much as two-thirds of someThe result was that as much as two-thirds of some
cultures (such as the Inca) were wiped out bycultures (such as the Inca) were wiped out by
diseasedisease

14. 6. Better Seamanship6. Better Seamanship

Europeans had better ships (after stealing ArabEuropeans had better ships (after stealing Arab
technology)technology)

They also had maps and compassesThey also had maps and compasses

Cases of Native American exploration of Europe areCases of Native American exploration of Europe are
non-existentnon-existent

But Europeans could – and did – sail to America at willBut Europeans could – and did – sail to America at will
in their advanced ships.in their advanced ships.

Europeans had a perfect defense in the sea.Europeans had a perfect defense in the sea.

Since a purely defensive war is doomed to failure, NativeSince a purely defensive war is doomed to failure, Native
Americans could not have won.Americans could not have won.

15. English Colonization of America
Virginia

First attempts fail at Roanoke Island (1585-87)
− “Lost Colony” – colony disappeared
− War against Spanish Armada prevented resupply

Jamestown (1607)
− Capt. John Smith commanded 1608-09
− Famine 1609-10
− Sir Thomas Dale took command 1611-16, with
brutality but success

¾ths of 5500 colonists die in first 17 years from disease,
starvation and conflict

16. Virginia, continued

Virginia was a commercial venture, not a
religious pilgrimmage

Chief crop: Tobacco, though King James I
called it a “noxious weed”

Organized by Sir Walter Raleigh

17. Maryland

Began as “proprietorship” run by George
Calvert, under a commission from James II

Calvert, a Catholic, invited people of all faiths

1649 Edict of Toleration: No one professing can
be a Christian can be molested for his faith

1689: Proprietorship overturned, capital moved
from St. Mary's to Annapolis, penal laws against
Catholics imposed

18. Massachusetts: Plymouth Colony

Plymouth colony begun as a move for religious
freedom from the Church of England under James I
(Protestant)

Landed in Plymouth in 1620 with the Mayflower

Pilgrims were called “separatists,” what we today call
“congregationalists,” who believed in Bible alone as a
source of revelation, and no hierarchy in church,
Calvinism

John Bradford becomes main governor (after one year
of ineffective governorship by John Carver)

19. Massachusetts Bay Colony

1628: Landed in Salem

Massachusetts Bay Corporation: Founded as a
for profit venture, not a religious pilgrimage

John Winthrop: Early governor of Mass., led
colony for two decades

20. Massachusetts: Plymouth Colony

Pilgrims were friendly with Massasoit's tribe,
who sought an alliance against more powerful
Narragansett tribe.

First Thanksgiving: Probably duck instead of
turkey, no mashed potatoes or cranberry sauce,
squash, seafood, corn, squash & pumpkin,
onions, etc.

Known today locally as the “Old Colony,” to
contrast with the Massachusetts Bay colony
based in Boston.

21. The Great Awakening

Bringing Christianity to the colonies

Johnathan Edwards – Connecticut Puritan, Yale
graduate, Calvinist

George Whitefield - Anglican Priest, revivals,
co-founding Methodism

Baptists

John Wesley – Founder of Methodism

22. French and Indian War

British against French (called Seven Years War
in Europe)

Lasted 1754-63, one of the first world wars

French early victories

Americans experience military campaigns
(George Washington)

British eventually win: All of French Canada and
current U.S. East of Mississippi becomes
British

23. British acts against colonists
during French-Indian War

Writs of assistance

James Otis: Boston state legislator who makes
eloquent argument against “Writs of
Assistance”
– Argument based on informal English common
law concept that “a man's home is his castle.”
– Forms basis for eventual adoption of Fourth
Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

Whigs: Colonial legislative power

Tories: loyal to England

24. Timeline to the American
Revolution

1760: Writs of Assistance

1763: End of the French and Indian War

1764: Sugar Act (Molasses)

1765: Stamp Act
Formation of Sons of Liberty
First Quartering Act
Stamp Act Congress
End of year: Repeal of Stamp Act

1766: Declaratory Act – Parliament says they
can tax colonies, but doesn't

25. Timeline cont'd

1767: Townshend Acts: Tax on lead, paper,
glass, tea
− John Dickinson: Letters from a Farmer
− Committees of Correspondence formed
(communication between colonial leaders)
− Boycotts of British goods

1768: Repeal of Townshend Acts (except tax on
tea)
− British troops arrive in Boston

1770: Boston Massacre

26. Timeline to the American
Revolution cont'd

1773 Tea Party - December

1774 – Intolerable Acts
− Boston's port closed until the tea is paid for
− Boston town meetings banned
− State legislature is adjourned occasionally
− Governor's Council no longer elected,
appointed
− Judges are salaried by England
− Second Quartering Act: Soldiers stationed in
businesses and homes w/o permission

27. Timeline to the Revolution

1774: First Continental Congress
− Petition to the King

1775: April 19: Lexington and Concord

Bunker Hill June 1775

Second Continental Congress meeting (1775)
− George Washington appointed C-in-C
− Olive Branch Petition

28. Taunton in the Revolution

Daniel Leonard – Taunton state legislator,
wealthy foundry owner from Norton, patriot until
1770

Robert Treat Paine – Lawyer from Boston who
settled in Taunton – eventually signed
Declaration of Independence

1774: October 21, Liberty and Union flag raised
on Taunton Green

Feb. 22, 1775: Clash of militias outside of
Taunton

29. Names to know

Charles Carroll – “First Citizen”

John Carroll – First Catholic Bishop

Benjamin Franklin – Informal spokesman

George Washington – Commander in Chief

Samuel Adams – Organizer of revolution

John Adams – Defends British Soldiers in
Massacre trial

Also: Robert Treat Paine, Daniel Leonard, Lt.
Gov. Thomas Hutchinson, Gen. Thomas Gage