Alex Pang Mr. Eliason AP United States History 7 September 2015 Behind its neighbors, England finally decided to invest in settling in the New World during the 17th century. Many of the expeditions to North America were made by private organizations; stock companies and the rich alike shared a common ideal of having a fresh start from outside their homeland. Two colonies with one common nationality, however, became two diverse establishments in North America. The colonies in New England and the Chesapeake region developed into two substantially contrasting ways of life. The main colony in the New England region was Massachusetts, which included the Puritans, a group of religious settlers who wanted to purify the Protestant Church of England. …show more content…
New England’s colony had an elected governor who led the people. He was not a priest because the settlers wanted to move away from England’s church-specific leadership. However, in the Puritans’ church centered community, the lines between church and state were blurred, if not seen all. The Puritans held town hall meetings involving the community, but the court system was heavily weaved with the Church. Winthrop wrote about how Puritans must “consider [themselves] as a city upon a hill” (Doc A). The birthplace of American exceptionalism found its roots in Winthrop’s sermon. Contrary to Massachusetts, the Jamestown colonists had a governor who believed the fall of Jamestown would have its people sent into a frenzy from benefitting from its plunder (Doc G). Not only did he believe Jamestown would fail, he was a weak leader who was friends with the King of England. Therefore, he was rich and represented the upper class of Jamestown. Bacon believed “[unworthy parasites’ tottering fortunes] have been repaired and supported at the public charge” (Doc H). Here, parasites refers to the upper class, who Bacon suggested were stealing the wealth from those below. The governments of New England and Chesapeake reflected their inhabitants and the different motives underlying each …show more content…
The Puritanical colony of Massachusetts Bay was founded in 1630, and was born from the mindset of purifying the Church of England. Most people who voyaged from their motherland were families and their servants (Doc B). Lists of those who emigrated contain upwards of forty families. Also, in the Articles of Agreement of Springfield, Massachusetts everyone shared the planting ground (Doc D). Since the community shared most of the farmland, greed would not be an issue when deciding who would get what plot of land. Further, Puritans believed “we must entertain each other [with care, and] must be willing to [bridge ourselves] . . . [to supply for] others’ necessities” (Doc A). The community theme the Massachusetts people embody is further seen in family relying upon family. Differing from the New England list of emigrants, most Virginia-bound colonists were men who failed to bring their families or men who did not have families (Doc C). Many of the men aboard were jewelers, goldsmiths, and other tradesmen who believed they were going to become wealthy at their new colony. Captain John Smith recounts “[many of the worst among us were gold seekers] with their golden promises [and] made all men their slaves” (Doc F). Encroaching on the Native American’s land, Jamestown settlers stole their land in hope of uncovering gold in the area. With community not being a priority, the division between
As England became increasingly unbearable to a variety of faiths, people such as the Puritans began to look to the New World as a haven. Eventually multitudes of Puritans flooded the east coast, mainly inhabiting the New England colonies. Though many factors contributed to characteristics that defined the New England colonies, Puritan values caused the colonies to grow and expand throughout the 1600’s. Their belief in a driven and productive lifestyle gave New England surprising economical success that was the envy of the English empire. Additionally, Puritan values of religion and the importance of education affected their social interactions with the Native Americans and intelligence of the New England community. Finally, Puritan values
The colonies of New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut made up the New England colonies. Most of the Europeans in the New England colonies were there to escape the religious persecution they faced in England. They practiced a lot of different things in these colonies compared to the middle and southern and colonies of colonial america.
The New England colonies developed rapidly, largely due to the influence of the Puritans. The Puritans came to the new world seeking religious freedom and helped found most of the colonies in the New England region. The Puritans wanted a United government that will later become the basis for the Unites States, they believed that the overall well being of the people was more important than the well being of the few, and the Puritans believed that religion, church, and community were important aspects of the people’s lives. The Puritans’ religion allowed them to prosper in the political, economical, and social development of the New England Colonies in the 1630-1660’s.
In John Winthrop’s essay “City Upon a Hill”, Winthrop expresses his distinct views on the aims of the Puritans coming to New England. During the early 17th century in Europe, some groups separated from the Church of England. These groups were known as the Pilgrims, who founded Plymouth Colony in 1620. This religion had a direct impact on religious ideas and culture in America. John Winthrop acquired a royal charter from King Charles I and created the Massachusetts Bay Colony. “City Upon a Hill” was written on the ship during the first mass Puritan migration to New England. This document provided the followers with a plan regarding their goals upon arriving in America. Winthrop firmly believes that the people who are willing to be fully
John Winthrop’s “Model of Christian Charity” was delivered to the colonists bound for Massachusetts Bay Colony to unite them and help them become a model community for England. Through his use of metaphors and biblical allusions, Winthrop is able to thoroughly convey the importance of remaining unified to his very religious Puritan audience. Previous attempts of colonization in America, such as Roanoke, the lost colony, had created a negative view of colonization. Previous colonists were also only focused on profit and did not build a stable community, which led to their downfalls. Therefore, Winthrop tells his audience that they must work together “as one man”. This metaphor compares the group of colonists to a single person who has one mind
This decade portrays the exploration of the Europeans to the American colonies which allowed England, France, Holland, Spain, and British to colonize with other lands and obtain power by expanding their territory. Nevertheless, England rose as the country with the dominant colonial power. Throughout this decade, the demand for silver and other valued items influenced trade globally by commercializing and strengthening European trade. In addition, the desire for power and control enriched the economy of the Europeans. The rise of European colonization also shaped cultural globalization since traders established various ethnic societies in foreign regions. European explorers were to stop at nothing in order to achieve success in expanding their
England’s desire for economic gain and religious freedom sparked the beginning of their interest in colonialism in America (Gouch, LeGuin, & Walton, 1998). While some settlers came to America in search of gold or other riches, the Puritans that settled the Massachusetts Bay Colony came to escape religious persecution and have freedom to worship as they desired. In 1630, over a thousand Puritans arrived, being led by a lawyer named John Winthrop. All English settlers were required to set up charter system governments. This system allowed the settlers to organize
The original colonies in Northern America faced rapid development in the early seventeenth century, as the original colonists saw great potential in the region, and they gave hope to individuals throughout Europe for better lives. The original English colonists of 1607-1630 brought numerous values to Northern America that shaped the colonial lifestyle, and have continued to influence U.S. history. The colonies were rooted in religious ideals, labor opportunities, and the hope for economic gain. These original colonial values vary in the extent to which they shaped, and continue to shape, American history, but have all influenced the American character to some degree.
The reasons behind the sudden transition of England and it’s American colonies from allies to enemies is still debated today. When the colonies were first created they had a somewhat dependent relationship with the British. Trade was regulated through the British homeland while the British provided structure for the developing colonies. As salutary neglect came into play, the colonies became more independent in their ways by developing their own governments and laws. After the French and Indian War, the British economy dropped due to war expenses. The passing of the Stamp Act and all the taxes to follow were an attempt to create revenue for the British. This created tension between the colonists and the British government. The British government caused rebellion by trying to tax the colonists in ways that had not previously been done and by trying to control the colonies more closely than it previously had. The colonies were justified in waging war and breaking away from the British due to the unfair tyrant, burdensome taxes, and the aggressive behavior of the British.
In the trial of Anne Hutchinson, we meet a well intentioned yet lost people described and labelled as the Puritans of the Massachusetts Bay Company. These self governing Puritans, once a people who sought God to set them on their way, settled only to be found as a people who simply lost their way. This journey to lost began when first motivated by a desire for religious reform and separation from the liturgy, ceremonies and practices of the Church of England. Once they banned together, they set on their way and traveled in groups to the New World. With the Word of God as their ultimate authority and the desire for a personal relationship with God, these people landed in Boston in 1630 united to self govern the newly founded Massachussets Bay Colony. Unfortunatly, this self rule resulted in a government of intolerance, fear and a liturgy not much different from what was once found in the Church of England. A system designed to set apart outward morality, or sanctification, to strengthen the authority of the Church only worked to neglect the place of true piety purposed to strengthen the spiritual lives of the people it served.
The New England colonies developed rapidly throughout the early 1600s. Their development was largely influenced by the Puritans, who had emigrated from Britain and helped found most of the region’s colonies. The philosophies, ideas, and values of the Puritans greatly shaped the development of the colonies in a number of distinct ways. Politically, the idea of a united, representative government, which later became a staple of the United States, was derived from Puritan ideals. Economically, the ideals of fair pricing and the celebrated “Yankee frugality and thriftiness” originated from the Puritans. Socially, emphasis on church, religion, and education was another lasting influence of the
In the 16th century into the early 17th centuries, there was a rapid spread of various European nations who occupied the new American lands. Before they set out on ships to occupy, kings would send people to explore the treasuries and worth of North America’s coast. Before settling, there were already two different colonies who existed which were the New England and Chesapeake colonies. Although the New England and the Chesapeake colonies are massively different from each other, there are also many similarities that readers can compare such as their economy, geography, and religious characteristics.
Within the colony of Massachusetts, religion played an important role in shaping the community’s people and interests. The reason for the Puritans move to North America was to escape the convictions the Christians of England were placing on them (Divine, 89). Winthrop and his followers believed that in this new land they must create a place where they could come together as a people and build the perfect religious society (Divine, 90). In a speech about his vision for the land, John Winthrop said, “We must delight in each
Puritan religious values shaped the social development of the New England colonies. In John Winthrop’s A Model of Christian Charity, Winthrop advocated for a model Christian community and one where everyone works as one (Doc A). John Winthrop was the governor of the Massachusetts Bay colony which was a very Puritan community. He wanted Massachusetts Bay, and Boston specifically, to be like “a city on a hill” that would be regarded by all as the exemplary Puritan community.
John Winthrop’s Christian teachings contribute to the establishment of unity and hard work as core American values. Before arriving in the new land, Winthrop strives to unify the Puritans under a common goal by expressing the importance of “always having before [their] eyes [their] commission and community in the work, as members of the same body” (Winthrop 3). Through brotherhood and spiritual conformity, the Puritans will not only receive the salvation and glory of God, but also claim the title, “city on a hill”, serving as icons of strength and peace for all people. The prosperity and progress of the colony are dependent upon the principles of service to God and to others, as well as integrity and selflessness. Besides unity, hard work is