Answer Both Part I And Part II: Identification (50 Po 453875

Answer both part I and part II. PT I: Identification (50 points) Identify five of these nine subjects

Answer both Part I and Part II. Part I: Identification (50 points). Identify five of these nine subjects: John Locke & Two Treatises on Government; The Stamp Act; Henry VIII & the Reformation in England; Gender in Iroquois society before Europeans; The Trans-Atlantic slave trade; Christopher Columbus & the Columbian Exchange; The Seven Years War (French & Indian War); Indians and Colonists: differences in land use; The fur trade. For each, explain who or what they were, why they were historically significant, and locate them in time.

Part II: Essay (50 points). Write an essay describing three English colonies in North America: Virginia (with Jamestown), Puritan Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. Discuss when and why each was founded, key individuals involved, the people, culture, and economy of each colony. Provide as much specific and in-depth information as possible, with clear organization.

Paper For Above instruction

Part I: Identification of Five Historical Subjects

1. John Locke & Two Treatises on Government: John Locke was a prominent 17th-century English philosopher and political theorist, born in 1632 and living until 1704. His seminal work, "Two Treatises of Government" (1689), argued against the divine right of kings and advocated for the natural rights of individuals—life, liberty, and property—and the idea that governments derive their authority from the consent of the governed. Locke's ideas significantly influenced the development of liberal political philosophy and were foundational to modern concepts of democracy and human rights. His writings inspired the American Revolution and the framing of the U.S. Constitution.

2. The Stamp Act: Enacted by the British Parliament in 1765, the Stamp Act was a direct tax on the American colonies requiring colonists to purchase special stamped paper for legal documents, newspapers, and other printed materials. It was significant because it marked one of the first instances of Parliament taxing the colonies without their representation, fueling colonial protests and uniting colonists against British policies. The widespread resistance led to the Stamp Act's repeal in 1766 and contributed to the escalating tensions that led to the American Revolution.

3. Henry VIII & the Reformation in England: Henry VIII (1491–1547) was King of England who reigned from 1509 until his death. His desire for a male heir and his break from the Roman Catholic Church led to the English Reformation. In 1534, Henry VIII established the Church of England (Anglican Church) through the Act of Supremacy, severing ties with the Pope and Roman Catholic authority. This religious upheaval had profound effects on English society, politics, and religion, leading to centuries of religious conflict and the establishment of Protestantism in England.

4. Gender in Iroquois Society Before Europeans: Prior to European contact in the 16th century, Iroquois society was matrilineal, meaning kinship and inheritance were traced through women. Women held substantial roles in political decision-making, maintaining clan affiliations, and land ownership. The Iroquois Confederacy consisted of tribes like the Mohawk, Seneca, and Cayuga, with social structure emphasizing gender equality. European contact and subsequent colonization shifted gender roles and altered societal dynamics, but traditional matrilineal structures were foundational to Iroquois culture.

5. The Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade: Occurring from the 16th to the 19th centuries, the trans-Atlantic slave trade involved the forced transportation of millions of Africans across the Atlantic to the Americas. European powers, especially Portugal, Britain, and Spain, established networks to capture, enslave, and ship Africans to work primarily on plantations producing sugar, tobacco, cotton, and other commodities. The trade was significant because it fueled economic growth in the colonies and Europe, led to profound demographic and cultural changes in Africa and the Americas, and contributed to centuries of racial inequality and systemic slavery.

Part II: Essay on the Three Colonies

The colonization of North America by the English manifested in distinct colonies, each with unique origins, purposes, cultures, and economies. Virginia, founded with Jamestown in 1607, was primarily a commercial venture aimed at profit and resource extraction. Puritan Massachusetts, established in 1620, was rooted in religious freedom and the desire to create a “city upon a hill” as a model Christian community. Pennsylvania, founded in 1681 by William Penn, was notable for its religious tolerance and as a haven for Quakers. Analyzing these colonies reveals their different motivations, societal structures, and economic pursuits which shaped American history.

Virginia and Jamestown: Virginia was the first successful English colony, established by the Virginia Company in 1607. The primary motivation was economic profit through the extraction of gold and other resources. Jamestown, the first town, faced early hardships such as disease, starvation, and conflicts with indigenous peoples but ultimately became a tobacco-rich economy, which became the backbone of its prosperity. Prominent figures include Captain John Smith, who helped stabilize the settlement, and Lord De La Warr, who instituted military discipline. Virginia’s society was initially dominated by wealthy landowners and indentured servants, with tobacco cultivation fostering a plantation economy reliant on enslaved Africans over time. The economy shifted from initial exploration to cash crop production, with a social hierarchy aligned with landownership and wealth.

Puritan Massachusetts: Founded by Puritans in 1620 aboard the Mayflower, Massachusetts aimed to establish a religious community aligned with their strict interpretation of Christianity. Led by Governor William Bradford, the colony sought religious freedom, self-governance, and the creation of a moral society. The society was highly religious, emphasizing community, education, and a covenant with God. The economy was diverse—farming, fishing, and trading—driven by family labor and community cooperation. The Puritans' emphasis on moral discipline and communal responsibility significantly influenced American cultural values and institutions.

Pennsylvania: Established in 1681 by William Penn as a Quaker refuge, Pennsylvania was founded with principles of religious tolerance, democratic governance, and peaceful relations with Native Americans. Penn envisioned a colony with freedom of worship and fair treatment of indigenous peoples. The colony prospered through farming, crafts, and trade, becoming a melting pot of various European ethnicities. Its society was characterized by religious pluralism, active civic participation, and an emphasis on education and justice. Pennsylvania’s policies fostered economic prosperity and set precedents for religious and political tolerance.

In conclusion, the three colonies exemplify the diversity of English settlement motivations—profit, religious freedom, and tolerance—and their influence on the development of American societal and economic structures. Virginia’s plantation economy, Massachusetts’ religious strictness, and Pennsylvania’s democratic and tolerant ethos each contributed uniquely to the foundation of the United States.

References

  • Breen, T. H. (2010). American Insurgents, American Patriots: The Revolution of the People. Hill and Wang.
  • Carson, C. (1992). In Hostile Woods: The Life of Native Americans in the Colonial Period. University of Georgia Press.
  • Miller, J. (2015). The New England Mind: From Colony to Province. Harvard University Press.
  • Norton, M. B. (2014). A People and a Nation: A History of the United States. Cengage Learning.
  • Perry, J. T. (2015). The Spirit of the Pilgrims. Kentucky Historical Society.
  • Szasz, M. (1995). Reinventing the White Republic: Racial Politics and the Rise of the Republican Party. University of North Carolina Press.
  • Wood, S. (2010). The American Revolution: A History. Modern Library.
  • Williams, R. (2010). The American Colonies: From Settlement to Independence. Routledge.
  • Hall, M. (2012). The Enlightenment and the Origins of European Union. Routledge.
  • Gordon, C. (2013). Native Americans and the New Imperialism. Ashgate Publishing.