Two Philosophies In Colonial Society
Kyle Hammond
AP US History – 5
Mrs. Grzymkowski
August 6th, 2011
The Arrival of Two Philosophies in Colonial Society
Throughout the course of human history, it is certain that motivated groups of people have gone to bold extremes behind personal zeal and wishful impulses. The New World prior to 1700 was a very favorable refuge for people with this nature, as it was a vast and ungoverned landmass that, with the exception of defensive aboriginals, lacked formidable security against exploitation. In 1607, a modest group of English descendants arrived upon the shore of Jamestown, Virginia, bearing with them a persistent drive toward gold, prosperity, and a prospective foundation for new society. In 1620, a pious group of English separatists …show more content…
It set forth the righteous practice of common good. The “city upon a hill” mindset would essentially arouse a feeling of superiority in the region, as intolerance thrived and repelled other religions from inhabiting the area. In fact, when people such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchison did not conform to Massachusetts’ religious and political beliefs, they basically had no choice but to flee. Roger Williams would soon take his religious zeal and establish the colony of Rhode Island, one of the New England colonies. Also, amid this Puritan surge to the New World came many age-diverse and gender-diverse families. According to “A Ship’s list of Emigrants Bound for New England”, A 40-year-old minister from Somerset came on a ship with his relatively large family as well as eight other families of many different ages and sexes. A vision of New England society can be extracted from this list, as it chiefly occupied a small group of close families and a minister whose only motivation for coming to the New World could be religious-based. Only a year later in 1636 came Massachusetts’ Articles of Agreement, which essentially took a step toward imposing ideal society in the already expanding New England …show more content…
There was no talk… but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, load gold…” This testimony illustrates the gold-driven mindset of men who lived in Virginia; a mindset of which opposed the upright peace that existed in New England. Even 40 years later the corruption still existed as Francis Bacon documented his justification for executing a rebellion. Amongst other things, he calls out the government for mishandling the capital brought on by the lower-class citizens as well as referring to the wealthy as “unworthy favorites and juggling parasites whose tottering fortunes have been repaired and supported at the public charge”. This allegation is yet another indicator of the extremes that people went to in order to achieve wealth at the cost of the poor and meager. Without any doubt, the Chesapeake region was a society characterized by men who had no intent to thrive on family, common good, religion, or financial restrictions; but it was instead a region focused on wealth, hard work, gold, and
AP US History – 5
Mrs. Grzymkowski
August 6th, 2011
The Arrival of Two Philosophies in Colonial Society
Throughout the course of human history, it is certain that motivated groups of people have gone to bold extremes behind personal zeal and wishful impulses. The New World prior to 1700 was a very favorable refuge for people with this nature, as it was a vast and ungoverned landmass that, with the exception of defensive aboriginals, lacked formidable security against exploitation. In 1607, a modest group of English descendants arrived upon the shore of Jamestown, Virginia, bearing with them a persistent drive toward gold, prosperity, and a prospective foundation for new society. In 1620, a pious group of English separatists …show more content…
It set forth the righteous practice of common good. The “city upon a hill” mindset would essentially arouse a feeling of superiority in the region, as intolerance thrived and repelled other religions from inhabiting the area. In fact, when people such as Roger Williams and Anne Hutchison did not conform to Massachusetts’ religious and political beliefs, they basically had no choice but to flee. Roger Williams would soon take his religious zeal and establish the colony of Rhode Island, one of the New England colonies. Also, amid this Puritan surge to the New World came many age-diverse and gender-diverse families. According to “A Ship’s list of Emigrants Bound for New England”, A 40-year-old minister from Somerset came on a ship with his relatively large family as well as eight other families of many different ages and sexes. A vision of New England society can be extracted from this list, as it chiefly occupied a small group of close families and a minister whose only motivation for coming to the New World could be religious-based. Only a year later in 1636 came Massachusetts’ Articles of Agreement, which essentially took a step toward imposing ideal society in the already expanding New England …show more content…
There was no talk… but dig gold, wash gold, refine gold, load gold…” This testimony illustrates the gold-driven mindset of men who lived in Virginia; a mindset of which opposed the upright peace that existed in New England. Even 40 years later the corruption still existed as Francis Bacon documented his justification for executing a rebellion. Amongst other things, he calls out the government for mishandling the capital brought on by the lower-class citizens as well as referring to the wealthy as “unworthy favorites and juggling parasites whose tottering fortunes have been repaired and supported at the public charge”. This allegation is yet another indicator of the extremes that people went to in order to achieve wealth at the cost of the poor and meager. Without any doubt, the Chesapeake region was a society characterized by men who had no intent to thrive on family, common good, religion, or financial restrictions; but it was instead a region focused on wealth, hard work, gold, and