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Essay Assignments

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Essay Assignments

A. Reasons for English colonization

1. The Northwest Passage was one of the most important incentives for English

imperialism (National Geographic Society, 2023). The passage was critical for political

reasons because it connected the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans. Therefore, it made it easy to

travel to English colonies in Asia. Additionally, colonizing North America was a matter of

national pride that came with increased political power and influence. Winning colonies

brought the English prestige because it meant they would compete with other European

nations.

2. English colonization of North America was caused by several social pressure.

Generally, people left England for North America for different reasons. One group,

separatists, established settlements in North America because of social pressures emanating

from differences with the Church of England (National Geographic Society, 2023). These

groups felt that the church had a lot of corruption that was damaging society. As a result, the

pressure to rebel against corruption prompted them to separate from the church and find

peace in North America.

B. Economic systems, social characteristics, and political systems

Massachusetts Bay. Economic systems in Massachusetts revolved around

shipbuilding and rum exports (Glen Oaks, n.d.). The strategic location of the colony made it

prosper because of its raw materials and protected bays and harbors. Social characteristics.

Residents were religious and mostly affiliated with Puritan beliefs. Political systems. Self-

government.

Virginia. Economic systems. Virginia was popular for its plantation economic system.

Tobacco and sugar were the primary fuels for economic growth. Social characteristics.
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Baptist and Anglican religions shaped the social characteristics of the residents. Political

systems. Self-governing based on teachings of religion.

The Carolinas. Economic systems. The economic system of the South relied heavily

on plantations. Tobacco and cotton were in plenty in the region. The North traded textiles and

forest products such as furniture. Social characteristics. The Carolinas had similar social

characteristics based on Baptist and Anglican religious beliefs. Political systems. Self-

governing.

C. Major ideas and events that caused the American Revolution

The 1765 Stamp Act. The Act was passed by parliament to respond to the economic

hardships endured following the war with France. The British fought for many years,

repelling the threat of France to the colonies (Kiger, 2022). The war was too costly for the

country, so they took on huge debts. The British argued that they had also used resources and

bloodshed protecting the colonies from the Indians. As a result, the colonies had the duty to

repay through taxes. Each colony had its government responsible for collecting and setting

taxes. However, this changed after the war. Parliament imposed heavy taxes on transactions

and other purchases. This created resentment in the colonies and anger, leading to rebellion.

John Locke’s philosophy influenced the colonies to rebel and demand equal

treatment. The political philosopher argued that people had the right to resist oppressive

administrations (Library of Congress, n.d.). The ideas of the English political philosopher

started the revolution of the mind. The colonies started believing that they were entitled to

certain inalienable natural rights. The natural rights idea was shared primarily by the

enlightened members of the colonies. They, in turn, incited their followers and provided them

with a reason to resist British occupation. John Locke’s philosophy taught the colonies that

no man was superior to another. Additionally, it taught them it was within their natural rights
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to rebel against an authoritarian leadership. This line of thinking, influenced by Locke’s

ideologies, fueled their desire to be free.

The Townshend Acts. After the Stamp Act, parliament imposed additional taxes in

1967 on the colonies for imports from Britain (Kiger, 2022). The first wave of taxation made

it too costly to transact within the colonies. As a result, they responded to this by importing

goods from Britain. Townshend Acts imposed excessive and exploitative taxes on the

colonies. For instance, there was a tea tax. Corruption and smuggling prevailed, and

parliament reacted by imposing taxes on imports and tackling smugglers. The colonies

responded by boycotting British products and making life difficult for customs

commissioners. Troops were sent to deal with the rebels by occupying Boston, which

exacerbated the situation.

D. Life after the American Revolution for:

Native Americans. The American Revolution came with political and social changes

that affected Native Americans. Native Americans fought for both sides of the revolution.

However, they did not enjoy the benefits that came with the newfound freedom. The new

government started moving west, which was against their wishes (“Consequences of the

Revolution,” n.d.). Ultimately, the community lost its independence after the revolution.

Additionally, the new administration pushed them further west, disrupting their social life.

They lost western territories, which would not have happened if the British had won the war.

Therefore, the outcome of the revolution was a political and social nightmare for Native

Americans.

African-Americans. The black community contributed significantly during and after

the revolution. The British promised enslaved people freedom if they joined them in the fight

against the colonies (“Consequences of the Revolution,” n.d.). Therefore, they kept their

promises and freed thousands of enslaved African-Americans. Some African-Americans

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found their political and social freedoms away from the colonies in countries such as Canada

and Great Britain. Unfortunately, there were little to no political or social changes for their

counterparts in America. For instance, they did not have voting or land ownership rights even

after the revolution. On the positive side, the American Revolution set in motion the later

revolution of African-Americans. Emancipation laws and other positive social and political

changes came decades later, which helped African-Americans secure more social and

political rights.

Women. The contribution of women during the war improved how society perceived

them and their role. Society was predominantly patriarchal before and after the American

Revolution. This meant that women had little to no importance politically and in some social

aspects. Civic equality for them came many years after the war. Women became “republican

mothers” immediately after the war (“Consequences of the Revolution,” n.d.). The title meant

they had a critical duty of raising and educating future citizens. Therefore, this enabled them

to expand their responsibilities and social participation through education. Generally, political

and social life for women remained the same immediately after the American Revolution.

Society remained patriarchal and reduced their role to taking care of the family.
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References

The consequences of the American Revolution. US History I Pre-Colonial to 1865. (n.d.).

Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://fscj.pressbooks.pub/ushistory/chapter/the-

consequences-of-the-american-revolution/

Glen oaks. (n.d.). 13 colonies chart. Google Sites: glen oaks learning commons. Retrieved

April 12, 2023, from https://sites.google.com/a/mckinneyisd.net/glen-oaks-learning-

commons/home/grade-level-curriculum-links/5th-grade-curriculum-links/colonial-

america/13-colonies-chart

Kiger, P. (2022). 7 events that led to the American Revolution. History.com. Retrieved April

12, 2023, from https://www.history.com/news/american-revolution-causes

Library of Congress. (n.d.). Creating the United States Revolution of the mind. Library of

Congress. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from https://www.loc.gov/exhibits/creating-the-

united-states/revolution-of-the-mind.html

National Geographic Society. (2023). Motivations for colonization. National Geographic

Society. Retrieved April 12, 2023, from

https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/motivations-colonization/