Colonial Resistance Creates Unity

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Colonial America began in the early 1600’s when the European nations directed their focus toward the “New World,” a place of opportunity. According to Eric Foner’s Give Me Liberty, England’s motives for colonization were built upon national glory, profit, and religious mission (41). The purpose of the colonies in the New World was to import manufactured goods, produce marketable resources, and serve the interest of the mother country, England (Foner 74). Because economic circumstances in England were not great, England had a large proportion of men, women, and children willing to migrate to the New World and settle into the colonies. Nevertheless, after the British colonies were established, they were separated into three regions: the New England, Middle, and Chesapeake colonies. Each of these regions faced a series of challenges with economic, political, and cultural development. The New England colonies, which included New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, had small farms working mainly for local consumption. With the help of a healthy climate, their economy focused primarily on small fishing, farming, and sea trade. The belief in Puritanism basically governed the New England colonies. For example, the Puritans believed that leading a good life indicated God’s graces, because only God had the power to determine who could be saved (Foner 53). However, since the Puritans feared individualism, the New England colonies established self-government. The Middle colonies consisted of New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and later, Delaware. While they were also known as farmers, they practiced trade and sold grain abroad. This grain production and shipping was the primary source of their economy. The region of the... ... middle of paper ... ... colonies” (Foner 143). Before the French and Indian War, the colonies did not associate with one another. Participation in the war, as well as temporarily setting aside their economic, political, and cultural differences helped the colonies form a better relationship with each other. One of the main reasons the colonists began rebelling against the British, was because of the imposed taxation issued after the war. The Sugar and Stamp Act created riots and violence among the colonists and this colonial resistance to the British policies resulted in a new unity between the colonies. Needless to say, “by seeking to impose uniformity on the colonies rather than dealing with them individually as in the past, Parliament had inadvertently united America” (Foner 143). Works Cited Foner, Eric. Give Me Liberty! An American Novel. New York: WW Norton & Company, 2012. Print.

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