What is Colonial America?

First things first, colonial America currently refer to a little area that is known as the east part of the United States, as well as parts of Canada starting from the settlement of Europeans up until the revolution.

Basically, colonization began during the sixteenth century. At this time, the French, English, Dutch and Spanish began the colonization of the east part of North America.

The very first attempts by the English, particularly the Lost Roanoke colony, failed. However, the colonies that got to be successful were established soon after.

The fact of the matter is that the colonizers that came to America – also known as the New World – were really not a homogenous group. All of them were from various religious and social groups who ultimately settled in varying seaboard locations.

The New Netherland Dutch, the Finns & Swedes of New Sweden, the Pennsylvania Quakers, the New England Puritans, are some of the groups that came to this new continent for varying reasons.

They also created many colonies with unique religious, social, political as well as different structures in terms of economy.

A lot of historians basically recognize distinctly four regions that eventually became the east United States. From the north is New England, the Chesapeake Colony Bay, Middle Colonies as well as the Low South.

Believe it or not, there are also historians that add another region called the frontier.

Why explore and colonize?

During the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the Europe of the west was just entering the Renaissance age and to the Modern early period. A lot of nations have also developed a liking in exploration and colonization overseas.

What was the first ever successful United States colony?

In the year 1607, Jamestown was the first ever successful US colony that was established specifically near the bay of Chesapeake.

Believe it or not, Chesapeake Bay was actually discovered by a man named Lucas de Ayllon who back then also established a colony – albeit short-lived – called San Miguel Guadalupe.

Unfortunately, this colony almost let itself go to ruin as jewelers, aristocrats and goldsmiths were sent and not farmers.

Who is Water Raleigh?

It was in the year 1585 when a small expedition came back from America bringing with them two American natives as well as a lot of amazing stories, the colony of Roanoke was also established by Walter Raleigh.

The colony was also in the same land as what the Brits called Virginia – in remembrance of the Virgin Queen Elizabeth.

Believe it or not, the site is found on a North American island seaboard in the east that is protected by banks now known as the coast of North Carolina.

The social colony structure

Another source of decentralization in the social structure of Chesapeake was the secular dominance of Virginia society. The business of tobacco – though becoming lucrative in itself – generally attracted men that were unmarried and were so eager to make a decent living.

Therefore, the society was not able to attract a lot of ministers, though they were able to attract a few. The building of congregations were a bit difficult due mainly to the tobacco plants.

Consequently, as compared to New England, very small number of churches were able to serve as religious and social centers.

Meanwhile, the power of the government was placed on levels that are purely local such as courts in particular local counties. They also need not be elected in order to hold office.

The colonist companies

Believe it or not, there were actual companies that were established in order to organize and arrange colonization patents in the Atlantic Coast area.

One such company is London Company, the Virginian south territory was given to it in order to manage it.

Another company is Plymouth, north Virginia was its patent.

Meanwhile, it is actually London Company to which was the first to place colonists on shore. It was in the year 1607 when more than a hundred settlers came from England and start a new life.

They settled in a place they called Jamestown as they were there to represent their King James. The encampment was also beside a river they also called James River.

All in all, America celebrates diversity now because of its similarly diverse and unique origins and history. This is what keeps this country alive then, as well as now.