US History: Conquest and Colonization - Essay Example

US History Introduction: What is History? It is in no doubt that history plays an integral role inunderstanding the society and man’s past in addition to shaping the thinking and behaviours towards the future. Basically, history refers to knowledge about the past that is acquired through collection, discovery, organization, dissemination, and presentation of information concerning past events of man or a given society. History not only studies past events but also examine and analyze how those events happened; that is, through investigation of cause and effect patterns of particular event(s). It is worth pointing out that history is a matter of interpretation where individual scholars obtain particular stories from human experiences; organize these stories into patterns, and then argue to suggest how various phenomena shaped or reflect human society at certain moments (Cobbs and Gjerde xvii). Since history is a matter of interpretation, historians might arrive at differing interpretations about same events that occurred at the same period of time. In providing interpretations, history scholars use evidences in order to justify their judgements. As such, history in some cases faces major problems in regard to information and interpretations; historians may disagree on events and their evidences or agree on one of these aspects and disagree on the other. In particular, the US history faces major problems since historians differ on historical interpretations. Most of disagreements are brought about by different interpretation on causes and effects of particular events and evidences that signifies these events. Primary documents and secondary sources are a source of major debates in American history; in some cases, these sources show historians’ conflicting points of view. For instance, historians agree that the Declaration of Independence in 1776 was signed by fifty- six men, but there are conflicting views on why the colonist decided to take this vital and dramatic step. The “problems” in US history are those issues regarding American’s past that historians have not yet agree upon despite addressing, discussing, and debating them. At the centre of these problems are primary and secondary sources. Primary source is defined as physical object or document which was created or written during the period under study, and they include written texts, artefacts, and pictures (Cobbs and Gjerde xxii). Secondary source refers to historians’ written works derived mostly from primary sources; primary sources include magazines, essays, academic journals, books, and other written works by persons who did not experience the events (Cobbs and Gjerde xxiii). It is noteworthy that all historical arguments are equally valuable as long as the arguments can be justified with credible and objective evidences. However, not all historical opinions are valid. This proposition is informed by the fact that validity of some sources is questionable; they do not represent the historical period under study, and some are biased and subjective. The validity of an opinion is judged based on verifiable facts; that is, opinions presented should be factual, objective, and supported by credible and sufficient evidences. Exploration, Contact and Conflict: 1500s- 1700s Historically, arrival of different groups of people in a given region has often had great impacts, both positive and negative. Arrival of Europeans in large numbers to North America into seventeenth century was no different. The lives of Native Americans of North America changed dramatically in the seventeenth century with the arrival of Europeans. Contact between Europeans and Natives of North America resulted to diseases, cultural exchange, slavery, trade, and war (Cobbs and Gjerde 1). The arrival of Europeans led to rise of epidemic diseases in the North America; European lifestyle was such that there were contacts between domesticated animals and human beings. Migration to North America introduced novel germs of diseases such as typhus, measles, smallpox, diphtheria, and influenza to the indigenous North America people resulting to death of large numbers of indigenous people (Boyer et al 14). Additionally, the contacts between them led to cultural exchanges. Prior to the arrival of Europeans, most of Natives had matrilineal cultures where they occupied lands that were communally used. In the contrary many Europeans were patriarchal had entrenched the culture of private property ownership especially in regard to land. Generally, they exchanged the following cultural aspects; customs, introduction of Christianity, clothing and language (Boyer et al 9). Even though many of the Native American tribe were practising slavery prior to arrival of Europeans, large-scale slavery was introduced in North America by the Europeans who enslaved Natives of North America. Also, arrival of Europeans in North America transformed trade and economic activities; they expanded North American economy from hunting and gathering to agriculture and mining among others. Moreover, arrival of Europeans in North America was not taken kindly by some of the region’s tribes which resulted to constant war and conflicts between them and the Europeans. However, in some instances they supported one another against common enemies (Cobbs and Gjerde 28). The history of the first centuries of contact between natives and immigrants/ colonizers was complex and hostile, though in some cases it was cordial. Hostility on the part of Natives was sparkled mainly by displacement from their lands and introduction of cultures which they deemed inappropriate and unnecessary to them. However, there were cordial relationship between some tribes and Europeans which was characterized by high rate of intermarriage and cultural exchanges between them (Boyer et al 28). Conquest and Colonization Economic and political life in the colonies in the Chesapeake and the Carolinas were quite different from that in New England and the middle colonies. In regard to economic life, Chesapeake was a good prospect for gold to the colonizers. For instance, in Jamestown, English colony established a successful colony by help of London Virginia Company, a gold company that coordinated and financed business venture. The colonies in Chesapeake were sustained by tobacco which was a major cash crop. Wealthy settlers took up large chunks of land and built extensive plantations where slaves and servants worked in. Bacon’s Rebellion of 1676 resulted to replacing of indentured servants by African slaves who therefore made up the plantations’ major labour force (Cobbs and Gjerde 36). Since colonizers had seen Chesapeake region becoming more profitable and progressive, they engaged a private firm, English Lord Proprietors, in Carolinas in 1663 with the hope that Carolinas will achieve similar success. Initially, settlement by colonizers in Carolinas was characterized by failure as there was no incentive to encourage emigration to that area. After 1670, colonizers achieved major economic growth in the area. The main economic mainstay in Carolinas was rice plantations. However, it should be noted that economic life in Chesapeake and Carolinas were initially characterized by high death rates and very young population constituted the main labour force (Cobbs and Gjerde 49). The economic life in New England and middle colonies differed in several aspects with Chesapeake and Carolinas. It is imperative to highlight briefly the social, economic, and religious aspects of New England. The residents of New England and especially the Puritans had a politically innovative, socially tight- knit, and deeply religious culture (Boyer et al 54). In relation to economic life, New England was different from the Chesapeake and Carolinas areas. Unlike these regions, New England were not cash crop oriented, instead, their economy was based on the trading goods that they themselves could not produce. Compared to Chesapeake and Carolinas, New England had a higher standard of living and the economic standing of the region was more impressive. What’s more, New England economic structure was more diversified in the sense that it included logging, shipbuilding, fishing, mercantilism, and agriculture; thus, it was the trading and economic hub between Europe and southern colonies (Cobbs and Gjerde 39). Just like New England region, middle colonies were ethnically, politically, religiously, and economically diverse. Economically, environmental factors made growing of cash crops favourable and keeping of livestock as well. In addition, middle colonies engaged in manufacturing activities where they manufactured products such as nails and kettles among other iron tools that were exported majorly to Britain (Boyer et al 67). As noted, plantations and slavery were not dominant in New England and middle colonies compared to Chesapeake and Carolinas. This meant that social and economic foundations were quite different. Politically, Chesapeake and Carolinas political life was different from New England’s and middle colonies. Both Chesapeake and Carolinas had the same government. The governor and a council of these regions were appointed by the colonial crown while the House of Representatives were elected by the people. The governor was the most powerful with the following responsibilities; leader of legislature, judicial, military, religious, and appointment of officials. The House of Representatives had the responsibility concerning taxation and funds. Since the governor was British- appointed, division between Britain and colonies was often evident. Chesapeake and Carolinas were subject to colonizer’s influences due to the fact that they were satellites of British Empire. The political structure of these regions reflected the British Government’s structure (Cobbs 60). Unlike Chesapeake and Carolinas, New England and middle colonies had quite a different type of political life. New England was occupied predominantly by English Protestants who had fled from religious persecution in their country. Therefore, the political system was greatly intertwined with religion. The legislations in the region were based on religion. The government and the church in the region were not separated (Cobbs and Gjerde 79). Middle colonies’ politics seemed to be more sophisticated of all the regions under discussion. Political groups were emerging in the middle colonies; even though they began as small groups they grew to become large and diverse political groups (Boyer 72). Middle colonies were run by elected Colonial Assemblies and Proprietary Governors. Freedom of religion was guaranteed in these colonies. On several occasions, governors were overthrown; for instance, during New York’s Leisler’s Rebellion New Jersey governor was arrested. As it can be noted, the political life in all these regions differed to a greater extent. Whereas Chesapeake and Carolinas political structure was a reflection of British political structure, New England and middle colonies were quite different even though they had some similarities. For instance, New England’s political system was intertwined greatly with religion hence reflecting the nature of people living in that region who were very religious. Freedom is more evident in middle colonies than in any other regions discussed in this discussion. Works Cited Boyer, et al. The Enduring Vision: A History of the American People to 1877 Vol. 1: Boston, MA: Wadsworth/Cengage Learning, 2011. Print. Cobbs Hoffman, Elizabeth and Jon Gjerde. Major Problems in American History to 1877 Vol. 1. Boston, MA: Houghton-Mifflin, 2012. Print. Read More