Early American Colonies Lesson: Key Figures & Timeline

Lesson Overview

• How Were Colonies Founded?
• The First Attempts: Roanoke (1587) and Jamestown (1607)
• The New England Colonies (1620–1636)
• The Middle Colonies (1624–1682)
• The Southern Colonies (1607–1732)
• Timeline of the Early American Colonies

This Early American Colonies lesson explores the influential leaders and major events that shaped the early American colonies. You will examine key figures such as John Smith, William Penn, Anne Hutchinson, and Roger Williams, analyzing their contributions to colonial development. The lesson follows a structured timeline, highlighting significant moments from the founding of Jamestown in 1607 to the early political and economic changes leading to the American Revolution. 

How Were Colonies Founded?

Colonies required a charter (official permission from the king) and financial support. Settlers established colonies for trade, religious freedom, or political autonomy. Some colonies were funded by joint-stock companies, while others were proprietary (owned by individuals) or royal (directly controlled by the king).

The First Attempts: Roanoke (1587) and Jamestown (1607)

Roanoke: The Lost Colony (1587)

England's first attempt to establish a colony in America was Roanoke, sponsored by Sir Walter Raleigh. Settlers mysteriously disappeared by 1590, leaving behind only the word "CROATOAN" carved into a tree. Roanoke was a failure, earning the nickname "The Lost Colony."

Jamestown: The First Permanent Colony (1607)

In 1607, England successfully established Jamestown, Virginia. It was funded by the Virginia Company and was the first permanent English settlement in North America. The colony struggled with disease, starvation, and conflicts with Native Americans, but John Smith's leadership and tobacco farming introduced by John Rolfe helped it survive.

In 1619, Jamestown created the House of Burgesses, the first representative government in the colonies.

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The New England Colonies (1620–1636)

• Plymouth (1620) was founded by the Pilgrims, who sought religious freedom from the Church of England. They established the Mayflower Compact, the first written government agreement in the colonies.
• Massachusetts Bay (1630) was founded by the Puritans, who wanted to create a "city upon a hill" as a religious model for others. It became a major Puritan colony.
• Rhode Island (1636) was founded by Roger Williams, who was banished from Massachusetts for advocating religious tolerance and fair treatment of Native Americans.
• Connecticut (1636) was founded by Thomas Hooker, who believed in more political freedom than Massachusetts allowed. He helped create the Fundamental Orders of Connecticut, the first written constitution in the colonies.
• New Hampshire (1623) was originally a fishing and trading colony before becoming a royal colony in 1679.

New England Colonies Economy:

• Based on fishing, shipbuilding, and small-scale farming.
• Had harsh winters and rocky soil, making large-scale farming difficult.

The Middle Colonies (1624–1682)

• New York (1624) was originally founded as New Netherland by the Dutch. The English took control in 1664 and renamed it New York.
• New Jersey (1664) was split from New York and became a colony offering religious and economic opportunities.
• Pennsylvania (1682) was founded by William Penn as a haven for Quakers, who believed in equality, religious tolerance, and pacifism. It became one of the most successful colonies due to good relations with Native Americans and strong agriculture.
• Delaware (1638) was founded by the Swedes but later controlled by the English and Pennsylvania before becoming its colony.

Middle Colonies Economy:

• Known as the "Breadbasket Colonies" because they produced large amounts of wheat, barley, and rye.
• Had a mix of farming, trade, and manufacturing.

The Southern Colonies (1607–1732)

• Virginia (1607) was the first permanent English colony, established for profit through tobacco farming.
• Maryland (1632) was founded by Lord Baltimore as a haven for Catholics escaping persecution in England.
• North Carolina (1653) and South Carolina (1663) were initially part of one colony but split due to differences in economy and governance.
• Georgia (1732) was founded by James Oglethorpe as a refuge for debtors and as a buffer against Spanish Florida.

Southern Colonies Economy:

• Based on plantations and cash crops like tobacco, rice, and indigo.
• Relied heavily on enslaved labor to support large farms.

Timeline of the Early American Colonies

Here is the timeline of all early American colonies: 

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