Americas from the 1600s to the 1700s

Americas from the 1600s to the 1700s 

As the second series of French and Indian wars came to an end it became clear that major changes would arise. American society was forced to experience a lot of changes that were not expected. The very fabric of the American society was redefined owing to the fact that almost every aspect of their society was being redefined. This meant a loss of their livelihoods as well as their dependence on the natural front. As Europeans expanded their horizons, they began to conquer new territories including those in North America. However, there were many challenges that arose during the same period thus instigating tremendous societal changes. 

On the cultural front, for instance, Native Americans and their ways of life were essentially obliterated. The cross-cultural interaction between the Europeans and other racial groups also resulted in transformations. Indigenous cultures were eroded by the dominant cultures arriving as settlers from various parts of the world. On an economic front, the mid-1700s were characterized by major upheavals even as territories attempted to establish intercontinental trade. Essentially, the events and experiences of this period were laying down the foundations of international trade. The stability that was experienced around this period resulted in tremendous economic and political growth for European superpowers and as such their colonies expanded even much further (Purvis, 2014). 

On matters regarding religion, the interactions experienced during this period would go on to inform and shape the way people worshipped and professed their religion. In the Americas, for instance, the arrival of Puritans from England meant that they came with a desire to establish a territory with their own religious beliefs. This resulted in a major outburst of denominations that would shape and redefine the religious tenets for the rest of the world. Protestant denominations, for instance, tremendously increased. 

It is also around this time when there were major advancements in science were realized following new the emergence of new knowledge and questions on the existing knowledge. The Age of Enlightenment would go on to usher in a civilization that was hinged on knowledge, reason and science. Prevailing knowledge and assumptions were put to test even as new discoveries were made. 

The Navigation Act primarily asserted that only English ships would carry cargo to England and that North American colonies could only conduct exports. For those in American colonies, this brought about tremendous challenges to trade and would go on to lay the foundations of the revolts and rebellions that would ensue. In essence, the Navigation Act is perhaps a direct cause of the American Revolution that would result in the formation of the United States of America. 

It is without a doubt that the mid-1700s were characterized by plenty of changes, more so for the American society that was beginning to settle in their new-found colony. The European settlers setting up shop in America had to deal with a lot of issues and changes. For starters, the first step meant getting to acclimatize with the climate, then getting to battle numerous battles in a bid to settle down. This would then be followed by the establishment of administrative units to help establish law and order while also addressing various challenges and issues that arose. By the turn of the century, America was not only independent but it was on its way to a united country that would play a huge role in the context of human history. 

 David Freeman Hawke’s analysis and themes of life in America in Everyday Life in Early America 

Hawke’s book focuses on the day-to-day activities and lives of Europeans in their colonies during the 17^th century. He goes to extra lengths to capture the fact that American settlers were more profligate as compared to those who remained on the mainland. In this particular case, he explores various themes ranging from how various townships were formed and defined to housing and farming practices as well as the recreations, rites and ceremonies that characterized the lives of people in early America. It is based on the author’s writing that a person comes to learn about the major differences in lifestyles between the northern and southern states. Themes of politics, religion, slavery, early day politics, etiquette and daily norms and values are all explored in an attempt to accurately capture the way of life for American settlers. 

Hawke looks at the people who decided to America and the reason behind their decision to move. In this case, the author moves beyond the desire for religious freedom by looking at the plight of slaves, criminals and the impoverished individuals that had no choice but to relocate. While the book makes a major effort in effort in helping shed light on everyday life in colonial America, it has its loopholes at well. Of notable worth is the extra attention that is placed on the lifestyles and ways of life of white colonialists. This is made evident in the major descriptions that are captured such as eating mannerisms, ceremonies as well as religious rights. Most of the descriptions captured focus on the white settlers leaving other crucial tenets of the early American society (Purvis, 2014). 

Slaves and servants, for instance, are barely covered in the books. Despite playing a crucial role in establishing and running early colonial America, slaves and servants were regarded as second-class citizens and as such their lives did not matter. The author reinforces these stereotypes and discrimination in his analysis of early America. A good example can be seen when the author is discussing the language that was prevalent in colonial America. The author describes how Blacks in the South used words such as ‘dem,’ ‘dey,’ and ‘dat’. Besides highlighting the bad dialect of blacks, he goes on to argue that this was because the Black slave had learned their English from indentured servants who talked that way. 

To an extent, therefore, it is clear that Hawke was keener on highlighting the lives and ways of white colonialists at the expense of other members that made up early American society. It is possible to point out various inequalities, prejudices and violence perpetrated by white colonialists all painted as necessities in early America; an element that hugely disenfranchised many other members of colonial America. In this case, therefore, while considerable insights can be gleaned from the book regarding early America, it is more of a single-sided view.   

 Identification Group #2 Mercantilism 

Mercantilism denotes an economic theory that was hinged on increased governmental regulation of the economy as a means of enhancing state power. This primarily meant running trade surpluses to the benefit state coffers. This particular economic theory is of significance owing to the fact that it dominated Europe from the 15^th century through to the 18^th century. More crucially, however, is the fact that it formed the basis and premise of European imperialism during the same period. It is also based on this particular economic theory that European powers would go on to establish maritime routes including the Triangular trade that would see millions of Africans enslaved in the Americas. 

The Enlightenment  

Also referred to as the Age of Reason, the Enlightenment was characterized by major cultural and intellectual developments that would place logic and science above belief and faith. Leading figures of this period would go on to challenge accepted knowledge while spreading new ideas using the press following the invention of the printing press. The Age of Reason is regarded as a major turning point in western civilization as it would mark the basis of contemporary society by shifting away from the savagery and ignorance that had characterized human history up until then. 

King Philip’s War

King Philip’s War occurred between 1675 and 1676 and was the last effort of the Native Americans against European settlement on their land. The particular war is regarded as one of the bloodiest wars in American history. Besides the huge loss of lives on both sides, the destruction that ensued in the wake of the war devastated both the colonialists as well as Native Americans. Inevitably, the war and loss of lives would mark the end of Native American resistance in the southern lands. For the European settlers, this victory allowed for increased settlements in the region.     

The Great Awakening 

The Great Awakening was marked by an outburst of revivalism by Protestants during the 18^th century. Essentially, this came about as a result of differing theological views that would give rise to various Protestant denominations such as Baptists, Presbyterians as well as Methodists. The conflict between new and older Protestant groups impacted the lives of thousands of people in both England and North America. In effect, the significance of the Great Awakening, therefore, was the provision of a common shared experience for all people in the British Empire during the 18^th century. It is possible to argue that the Greta Awakening period significantly defined the religious and spiritual lives of both the British and American societies with its implications remaining prevalent in contemporary societies (Purvis, 2014). 

The Pueblo or Pope’s Revolt  

The Pueblo captures the uprising of the Pueblo; a Native American community that lived in what is now referred to as New Mexico. The Pueblo people instigated a revolt against its Spanish masters as a result of violence and famine, but more crucially religious violence. At the heart of the revolt was the desire to reestablish traditional religious practices, culture and most notably the land that the Pueblo people greatly valued. While the uprising was violently vanquished and the Pueblo people failed in regaining Santa Fe, the uprising would go on to become an important tenet of the dominant culture that would emerge in the Southwest. The defeat did not, however, stop the Pueblo people from resisting the Spanish. This is notably evident in the amalgamation of traditional religious cultures and beliefs of both the Pueblos and the Spanish (Purvis, 2014). 

Reference

Purvis, T. L. (2014). Colonial America to 1763. Infobase Publishing.