HIST C121 Task 1: English Colonization and the Road to Revolution
Al. Political Motivations for English Imperialism
The political motivations for English Imperialism are political power through
resource accumulation. Queen Elizabeth I was being influenced by political pressure to
gain and maintain a superior political status with their rivals. They were envious of riches
that Spain, France and Denmark were gaining from their colonies in the
Americas.
These new lands had an abundance of tradeable resources like animal pelts,
gold, and
silver, which were bringing their rivals incredible wealth. Wealth meant a better military
force, more opportunities to acquire land, and socioeconomic superiority. (Norton,
2015)
A2. Social Pressure Driving English Colonization
The social pressures that contributed to English colonization of North America
were the desire for a higher standard of living, and religious freedom. The Columbian
Exchange and the Reformation created conditions that led common English families to
migrate to the New World. The 16th century was preceded by a crippling plague
throughout Europe and years of unsustainable war throughout their lands. These caused
prolonged hardship for middle- and lower-class citizens; a population that was
experiencing unprecedented growth primarily due to an abundance of crops from the
Americas. This population growth contributed to, and exacerbated, the significant
economic decline caused by events from the last 200 years. The Columbian Exchange
provided common English citizens access to resources from which any class of citizen
could create a better standard of living for themselves. (Norton, 2015)
The Reformation in 16th century Europe caused a desire to establish uniformity
, in religious practices. During this period, it was widely believed that one religion was the
true religion, and that civil authorities had a duty to impose religious practices, often by
force, was causing widespread religious persecution. This conflict brought heavy
persecution of those who held to their religious convictions. English citizens in the early
1600's viewed the New World as an opportunity to remove themselves from the poor
quality of life that their families had been experiencing for generations, and to escape
religious persecution. (Norton, 2015)
B. Diverse Colonies
Below I have described the economic, social characteristics, and political systems of
Massachusetts Bay, Virginia, and the Carolinas.
81. Massachusetts Bay became home to many Separatists and Congregationalist
Pilgrims who were immigrating from England during the Reformation era in search of
religious freedom, as well as isolation from influences that conflicted with Puritan
convictions. Because of this, most of the colonist from this region were family units,
often from the same English villages, that included both male and female adults and
children. Massachusetts Bay colonists were given land around a town-center. Land was
primarily distributed based on status; lower-class families were given smaller
allotments. Every church-member male was given land. Although very rare, women
were also given land. Only land-owning, male church members were allowed to vote or
serve in leadership positions. Overtime, a system of self-governance was developed
that included representatives from each town, who held roles as legislative
representatives for these communities. They established a system that included a
Governor and a two-house legislature. Laws were created through the application of
conditions or expectations that were documented in covenants signed by church-
Al. Political Motivations for English Imperialism
The political motivations for English Imperialism are political power through
resource accumulation. Queen Elizabeth I was being influenced by political pressure to
gain and maintain a superior political status with their rivals. They were envious of riches
that Spain, France and Denmark were gaining from their colonies in the
Americas.
These new lands had an abundance of tradeable resources like animal pelts,
gold, and
silver, which were bringing their rivals incredible wealth. Wealth meant a better military
force, more opportunities to acquire land, and socioeconomic superiority. (Norton,
2015)
A2. Social Pressure Driving English Colonization
The social pressures that contributed to English colonization of North America
were the desire for a higher standard of living, and religious freedom. The Columbian
Exchange and the Reformation created conditions that led common English families to
migrate to the New World. The 16th century was preceded by a crippling plague
throughout Europe and years of unsustainable war throughout their lands. These caused
prolonged hardship for middle- and lower-class citizens; a population that was
experiencing unprecedented growth primarily due to an abundance of crops from the
Americas. This population growth contributed to, and exacerbated, the significant
economic decline caused by events from the last 200 years. The Columbian Exchange
provided common English citizens access to resources from which any class of citizen
could create a better standard of living for themselves. (Norton, 2015)
The Reformation in 16th century Europe caused a desire to establish uniformity
, in religious practices. During this period, it was widely believed that one religion was the
true religion, and that civil authorities had a duty to impose religious practices, often by
force, was causing widespread religious persecution. This conflict brought heavy
persecution of those who held to their religious convictions. English citizens in the early
1600's viewed the New World as an opportunity to remove themselves from the poor
quality of life that their families had been experiencing for generations, and to escape
religious persecution. (Norton, 2015)
B. Diverse Colonies
Below I have described the economic, social characteristics, and political systems of
Massachusetts Bay, Virginia, and the Carolinas.
81. Massachusetts Bay became home to many Separatists and Congregationalist
Pilgrims who were immigrating from England during the Reformation era in search of
religious freedom, as well as isolation from influences that conflicted with Puritan
convictions. Because of this, most of the colonist from this region were family units,
often from the same English villages, that included both male and female adults and
children. Massachusetts Bay colonists were given land around a town-center. Land was
primarily distributed based on status; lower-class families were given smaller
allotments. Every church-member male was given land. Although very rare, women
were also given land. Only land-owning, male church members were allowed to vote or
serve in leadership positions. Overtime, a system of self-governance was developed
that included representatives from each town, who held roles as legislative
representatives for these communities. They established a system that included a
Governor and a two-house legislature. Laws were created through the application of
conditions or expectations that were documented in covenants signed by church-
