Looking Ahead 3: What did the English want from the colonies in the first century of English settlement in North America? The English wanted to establish settlement to own more land, which leads to more power, and follow the idea of merchantism. In chapter one, the English wanted to go to the Americas not only for religious freedom, but to practice the idea of merchantism. During the time of English’s exploration of the Americas, the country was one of the last European countries to explore the “New World. Such items the colonists began to trade were furs, animal skins, meat, and crops such as: wheat, barely, and oats. In contrast, the colonists came to North America to have religious and economic opportunities, and freedom. What the colonists do not seem to realize is that England was using the colonist to gain power over the “New World” and to gain profit from foreign trade. Lectures Lecture 4 Question 1: What have been the long-term effects of the Puritans on American culture? …show more content…
The three main effects are religious freedom, legislative government, and the idea of merchantism, or economic opportunities The First Amendment in the U.S. Constitution is founded on the idea that the Puritans followed, the freedom of religion, and that stills holds today. Another effect is the type of government we have adapted since the time the Puritans came to the Americas. With our government as a democracy, we have three branches, one being which the Puritans established, called the legislative assembly. The last long term is the idea of merchantism, or economic opportunities. As American citizens, we have the right to earn profit with hard work and dedication known as the, American Dream. Overall, the Puritans have founded the ideas of how we live our life in the United States of
When one looks back on the history of the British settlers in the Americas, there are many differences and similarities between those who settled up north in the New England colonies and those who settled down south. There are also differences in the way the north and south lived their lives, did their jobs, what their economic system was like and how the labor force was set up. Among these many differences there are some similarities as well. Those who left England sought religious and political freedom, as well as governmental and economic stability.
There were various reasons why the American Colonies were established. The three most important themes of English colonization of America were religion, economics, and government. The most important reasons for colonization were to seek refuge, religious freedom, and economic opportunity. To a lesser degree, the colonists sought to establish a stable and progressive government.
In the period between the parts of 17th century and 18th century, in which most of the European countries were so anxious to proceed in their present condition of colonizing states inside the recently discovered Americas. One specific European country that had an mapped out system that unmistakably conveyed many gatherings to a large portion of the parts of eastern drift particularly two sections known as Chesapeake and New England. It is important that there was a scramble and a surge in an offer to vanquish whatever number countries as could reasonably be expected because of the advantages that would bring about the procedure. Accordingly in the late 1700's the two countries that were vanquished by England later signed up to be one country.The distinctions that existed between these two countries really show the principle motivation behind why England chose to colonize
Today, scholars continue their dispute over the degree to which the Puritan colonists influenced American law, morality, and culture. In the area of law, this image is supplemented by lurid accounts of witch trials and corporal public punishments.
The Puritans influenced social development. The puritan society was centered around God. Document C says ‘In public or private, we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church…” They also were not tolerant of other religions. Document G says, “He that
The puritan’s religious beliefs caused them to believe very strongly in hard work and improving themselves and their society. Economically, Puritan New England fulfilled the expectations of its founders. Their economy relied on fishing and shipbuilding because they were located so close to the Atlantic Ocean. The Carolinas economy was based farming and trading only for goods they could not produce themselves. But their failure came from their perfect soil. “South Carolina’s swampy coast, so perfectly suited to growing rice, was less suited for human habitation. Weakened by chronic malaria, settlers died in epic numbers from yellow fever, smallpox, and respiratory infections.” (Davidson p. 56) Their population grew from immigrations. “The Mid-Atlantic had rapid growth of people and wealth but political wrangling as well as ethnic and religious diversity made for a higher level of social conflict”(Davidson p. 77) So although their population and wealth were in good standing they had problem with their governing. “The colonial population remained small and fractious. The company made matters worse by appointing corrupt, dictatorial governors who ruled without an elective assembly.” (Davidson p.
The English began colonizing North America for economic, social, and religious reasons. In the 1600s, there were many tensions rising in England. There were disputes over land. At the time, there was simply not enough land to sustain the population. During this time, many people were also looking to move up in social status. They were no longer satisfied with where they were. There was also mounting religious conflict during this time. England implemented a nationwide religious policy. Many people disagreed with forcing a religion on people; therefore, they chose to leave England in search for religious freedom. For these reasons, people chose to migrate to North America.
If we glance back to the first groups that came to America in 1620 we must first look at why they left their home in England.
Today, people describe the Puritans with their biased point of view. It is not unfathomable why people do not like the Puritans. The Puritans’ society and today’s society are very different. Puritan society was very restrained; people could only believe in God and the Bible was the law. Unlike Puritan society, today’s society does not restrain religion. Even though Puritans had bad influences on today’s society, Puritans played a pivotal role in constructing the USA. If you look around more carefully, you will easily realize that some things that you took for granted were actually influenced by the Puritans, and they are very significant and necessary to today’s society. The Puritans’ influences on today’s United States are found in the areas of economy, government, education, church, and social mores.
The Puritans had a great force of influence upon America. They created the rules, regulations, and laws to keep themselves as the dominant class. They established a healthy economy, a school system, and believed that the political system should be an efficient one. Last but not least, the moral character of America was certainly shaped by the Puritans. America is invented because they were Entrepreneurs and had Capitalism.
Gannon, Andres. "The Puritan Influence in Contemporary American Society." The Puritan Influence in Contemporary American Society. Damien High School, 2008. Web. 12 Jan. 2012. .
The English had two main colonies in the new world, Jamestown and Plymouth. The first colony was Jamestown, established in Virginia in 1607. Jamestown was settled by Captain John Smith, and was named after King James I. Tobacco was the main export of Jamestown, and became the basis of the Jamestown economy, sending more than 50,000 lbs of the plan back to Europe by 1618 (textbook 46). Jamestown had a very rocky start, many colonists dying in the first few years of the settlement, and the settlers had many problems with natives. Shortly after the arrival of English colonists the Natives attacked them, and were finally forced back by a canon from the English. A very uneasy truce was finally settled between the natives, called the Powhatans, and the English (textbook 44-5). Economic growth and expanding their territories were the main priorities of the English in the Jamestown colonies.
Economic concerns of the British caused the colonization of British North America. Such economic concerns included the opportunity to acquire gold, silver, a North American waterway that would lead directly to China and the Indies, and the prospect of countering Spain's dominance in North America (Boorstin et al. 34). In addition to these economic reasons for colonization, the English were also seeking to obtain the essential "raw materials" in America that they had been previously buying from other European countries for exorbitant amounts of money and gold (Boorstin et al. 34). Great Britain also sought to solve other economic problems through American colonization. For example, England needed to replenish some of its diminishing materials and assets, generate another "market" to export its cargo and merchandise, maintain its powerful navy and "merchant marine" through business with new American colonies, and to provide a new place for the unemployed to settle rather than escalating populace/crime and the economic burden in its own cities (Boorstin et al. 34).
Religion played a huge role in education for the Puritans. To the Puritans, education of
Puritanism is no longer the dominant religious force in America, but its influence can be still observed on modern American’s lives. As time passed by, its theological effect has disappeared, but the Puritan ethical thoughts continue to exert their influence on the American people’s values, such as individualism, egalitarianism, optimism.