S- ACTUAL AND ALTERNATE HISTORIES Colonial America from Settlement to the Revolution Rodney P. Carlisle and J. Geoffrey Golson, Editors ABC CLIO Santa Barbara, California Denver, Colorado Oxford, England
Contents Contributors xi Introduction xiii 1 Massachusetts 1 In the early history of Massachusetts, Pilgrims from England first settled the coastal area in 1620. What if the Pilgrims were not successful and the area was instead settled by the French? Introduction 1 Turning Point 6 Actual History 7 Alternate History 14 Discussion Questions 18 Bibliography and Further Reading 7 9 2 Connecticut 21 Thomas Hooker established a new settlement in Connecticut in 1636. What if this British Puritan was challenged by the Dutch in the area for control of the colony? Introduction 21 Turning Point 25 Actual History 26 Alternate History 31 Discussion Questions 33 Bibliography and Further Reading 34 3 Rhode Island 35 Roger Williams founded Providence, Rhode Island, in 1635 based upon freedom of religion and separation oi'church and state. What if these views failed to succeed as guiding principles for America? Introduction 35
Viii CONTENTS Turning Point 37 Actual History 42 Alternate History 46 Discussion Questions 48 Bibliography and Further Reading 49 4 New Hampshire 51 John Wheelwright established Exeter, New Hampshire, in 1638, after being banished from Massachusetts. What if Wheelwright had found more tolerance among the Puritans? Introduction 51 Turning Point 53 Actual History 57 Alternate History 65 Discussion Questions 68 Bibliography and Further Reading 69 5 New York 71 The Dutch colony of New Amsterdam surrendered to the British in 1664. What if New York was never established and the colony remained under Dutch control? Introduction 71 Turning Point 74 Actual History 77 Alternate History 82 Discussion Questions 86 Bibliography and Further Reading 86 6 Delaware 89 Sweden first claimed the Delaware area in 1638. What if the Swedish colonies prospered and were able to repel invasions from the Dutch and British? Introduction 89 Turning Point 94 Actual History 94 Alternate History 97 Discussion Questions 104 Bibliography and Further Reading 104 7 New Jersey 107 James, Duke of York, granted the charter for New Jersey in 1664. What if James had died before establishing the colony, thus affecting the future course of the United States? Introduction 107
CONTENTS IX Turning Point 109 Actual History 110 Alternate History 116 Discussion Questions 120 Bibliography and Further Reading 120 8 Pennsylvania 121 William Penn was given the colony of Pennsylvania in 1681, and encouraged German religious settlement. What if Pennsylvania became a German province? Introduction 121 Turning Point 124 Actual History 127 Alternate History 131 Discussion Questions 136 Bibliography and Further Reading 136 9 Virginia 139 Jamestown, Virginia, settled in 1607, was at first unsuccessful. What if the settlers had better relations with Native Americans and had survived? Introduction 139 Turning Point 141 Actual History 142 Alternate History 150 Discussion Questions 154 Bibliography and Further Reading 155 10 Maryland 157 The charter for the Maryland colony was granted in 1632. What if Catholic and Protestant conflict in England had made Maryland a permanent religious haven for Catholics? Introduction 157 Turning Point 159 Actual History 162 Alternate History 165 Discussion Questions 170 Bibliography and Further Reading 170 11 North Carolina 173 Virginians began to move to North Carolina in the 1650s. What if the British Crown had prevented the Virginian migration, and North Carolina fell under Spanish control? Introduction 173
X CONTENTS Turning Point 174 Actual History 177 Alternate History 181 Discussion Questions 186 Bibliography and Further Reading 187 12 South Carolina 189 Carolina was founded in 1670 and developed slavery with the rice plantation system. What if the rice crops did not develop and slavery did not spread? Introduction 189 Turning Point 191 ~ Actual History 194 Alternate History 200 Discussion Questions 203 Bibliography and Further Reading 203 13 Georgia 205 Georgia was officially founded by the British in 1733, in close proximity to Spanish forces. What if the Spanish repelled the British and the area became part of the Spanish Empire? Introduction 205 Turning Point 209 Actual History 211 Alternate History 216 Discussion Questions 219 Bibliography and Further Reading 220 Chronology of Colonial America 223 Glossary 239 Resources 247 Index 253