Foundations of American Government

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Profit motive has been a principle of American society since the beginning. Starting from the first people deciding to make the voyage across the Atlantic to their final split from Britain, economic opportunities were the basis of most of the traveler’s actions. The possibilities for economic prosperity were irresistible. A fight for political rights was the result of England taking advantage of their economic control over the colonies. By severing the tie between the colonies and England, the colonies could take full advantage of their economic prosperity and start the ball rolling for the United States. Economic profit was the main dream of the future colonists coming from England more so than aspirations of political, religious, and moral gains. Economic motives underlie all other motives because of the obvious intent of the colonists’ actions in migrating to America, rebellion against British government, and breaking away from Britain. In “Virginia Is an Abundant New Paradise”, Alexander Whitaker writes about the plethora of resources in Virginia, leading the colonists to believe that agriculture could potentially be a booming industry (). In addition, Europeans were in search of a trade route, so they sent an explorer to America. According to “The Middle Colonies: New York”, the middle colonies were found because of the search for additional revenue from trading with Asia from America (The Middle Colonies: New York, Digitalhistory.edu). In both cases, profit motive drove the colonists to immigrate to the US. In the first formations of government, economic motives were greatly taken into consideration. The implementation of unlawful, heavy taxes on the colonists in the 1760’s initiated the first true rebellion aga... ... middle of paper ... ...nental-congress-festival_21.html>. Daggett, Stephen. "Costs of Major U.S. Wars." Congressional Research Service. N.p., 29 June 2010. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. . Paine, Thomas. "Common Sense." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, 10 Jan. 1776. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. . Kindig, Thomas. "First Continental Congress." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. . "Mayflower Compact." All About History. AllAboutHistory.org, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. . Kindig, Thomas. "Declaration of Independence: Rough Draft." Ushistory.org. Independence Hall Association, n.d. Web. 30 Mar. 2014. .

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