RELIGION IN COLONIAL AMERICA€¦ · Web viewRead the first FOUR chapters in Gillon & Matson, The American Experiment. pp 1-167 and read Gary Nash’s piece, “Black People in

FOUNDATIONS OF COLONIALNORTH AMERICA

By John A. Braithwaite

DIRECTIONS:

Using the accompanying documents, your knowledge of the time period and topic, and any other resources you have or care to consult, respond to the following question fully, accurately, and from a variety of viewpoints. Read the first FOUR chapters in Gillon & Matson, The American Experiment. pp 1-167 and read Gary Nash’s piece, “Black People in a White People’s Country” from Portrait of America, Volume I, then respond to this question using the textual information and the documents. If a student wants a classic education in colonial history then read Alan Taylor’s American Colonies (Penguin Press, 2001)

QUESTION:

To what extent did geography, race, religion, democracy, nationalism, and mercantilism play major roles in the development of colonial North America from 16th to the 18th centuries?

PROMPT: Formulate a thesis statement Deal evenly with each part of the assessment: Be sure to cover the time period given Write with fluency, good form, and correctness—of information

and mechanics Build your case—be an intellectual attorney—prove your points Use substantial outside information.

TEXTBOOK REFERENCES:Gillon & Matson The American Experiment **Davidson, et.al. Nation of NationsNorton, et.al. A People & A NationBrinkley American HistoryKennedy & Cohen The American PageantBoydston, et.al. Making the American Nation**

All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2004. John A. Braithwaite

Henretta, et.al. American History.

Document A:

Source: Magna Carta, June 15, 1215. As quoted by C. Stephenson, Sources of English Constitutional History. (New York: Harper and Row, 1937), pp 115-26.

Editorial comment [Stephenson],While these nobles wanted to protect their own feudal rights,

the document is considered the first major step toward democracy in England. It established the principle that the king is not above the law.

1. …We have. . .granted to God and by this. . .confirmed, for us and our heirs forever, that the English Church shall be

freeand shall have its rights entire and its liberties inviolate…

12. Scutage [military tax] or aid [feudal tax] shall be levied in our kingdom only by the common council of our kingdom..

21. Earls and barons shall be amerced [fined] only by their peers and only according to the degree of the misdeed.

39. No freeman shall be captured or imprisoned or [dispossessed] or outlawed, or exiled or in any way destroyed…except by the lawful judgment of his peers or by the will of the land.

40 To no one will we sell, to one will we deny or delay right and justice.


Document B:Source: John Locke, Second Treatise of Civil Government. Old South Leaflets, No. 208. Boston. Old South Association, n.d.

The state of nature has a law of nature to govern it, which obliges everyone; and reason which is that law, teaches all mankind. . .that being all equal and independent, no one ought to harm another in his life, liberty, or possessions . . . Men being, as has been said, by nature all free, equal, and independent, no one can be put out of this estate and subjected to the political power of another without his own consent…

The supreme power cannot take from any man any part of his property without his own consent . . .

These are the bounds which. . .society, and the law of God and Nature, have set to the legislative power of every commonwealth…

First, they are to govern by. . . established laws, not to be varied in particular cases, but to have one rule for the rich and poor. . .

Secondly, these laws ought to be designed for no other end. . . but the good of the people.

Thirdly, they must not raise taxes on the property of the people without the consent of the people. . .

Whenever the legislators endeavor to take away and destroy the property of the people, or to reduce them to slavery. . .they put themselves in a state of war with the people. . .


Document C:

Source: The Mayflower Compact. November 11, 1620

. . . We whose names are underwritten. . . Having undertaken, for the Glory of God and Advancement of the Christian Faith, and the Honour of our King and Country, a Voyage to plant the first colony in the northern part of Virginia, do by these presents solemnly and mutually in the prescience of God, and one of another, covenant and combine ourselves together into a civil body politic for our better ordering and preservation and furtherance of the ends aforesaid; and by virtue here of, to enact, constitute, and frame such just and equal laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions, and offices from time to time, as shall be thought most meet and convenient for the general good of the colony unto which we promise all due submission and obedience. In witness whereof we have hereunto subscribed our names at Cape Cod the eleventh of November, in the reign of our Sovereign Lord King James. . .the fifty-fourth Anno Domini, 1620.


Document D:Source: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut. January 14, 1639. As quoted in Bernard Feder, Viewpoints: USA. p.6.

. . . we the inhabitants and residents of Windsor, Hartford, and Wethersfield. . . well knowing where a people are gathered together the word of God requires that to maintain the peace and union of such a people there should be an orderly and decent government established according to God. . . do therefore associate . . . ourselves to be as one public state or commonwealth; and do for ourselves and our successors. . . enter into one combination and confederation together, to maintain and preserved the liberty and purity of the gospel of our Lord Jesus. . . and also in our civil affairs to be guided and governed according to such laws, rules, orders, and decrees as shall be made, ordered and decreed, as follows:

1. It is ordered, sentenced, and decreed that there shall be yearly two general assemblies or courts. . .

2. It is ordered. . . that no person be chosen governor above once in

two years.3. It is ordered. . .that when any general court. . . has agreed

upon. . . any sum of money to be levied upon the several towns with in this jurisdiction. . .a committee be chosen to set out and appoint what shall be the proportion of every town to pay of the said levy, provided that the committees be made up of an equal number out of each town.


Document E:

Source: John Winthrop, The History of New England. Boston: 1853, II, p281.

Even so, brethren, it will be between you and your magistrates. If you stand for your natural corrupt liberties, and will do what is good in your own eyes, you will not endure the least weight of authority, but will murmur, and oppose, and be always striving to shake off that yoke. But if you will be satisfied to enjoy such civil and liberties, such as Christ allows you, then will you quietly and cheerfully submit unto that authority which is set over you, in all the administrations of it, for your good. Wherein if we fail at any time, we hope we shall be willing (by God’s assistance) to hearken to good advice from any of you, or in any other way of God. So shall your liberties be preserved, in upholding the honor and power of authority amongst you.


Document F:

Source: “The Bloody Tenant of Persecution for Cause of Conscience.” 1644. By Roger Williams of Rhode Island.

First. That the blood of so many hundred thousands souls of Protestants and Papists, split in the wars of present and former ages, for their respective consciences, is not required nor accepted by Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Sixth. It is the will and command of God that a permission of the most pagan, Jewish, Turkish, or anti-Christian consciences and worships be granted to all men in all nations and countries. . .

Eighth: God requires not a uniformity of religion to be enacted and enforced in any civil state. . .enforced uniformity. . .is the greatest occasion of civil war, ravishing of conscience, persecution of Christ Jesus in his servants, and of the hypocrisy and destruction of millions of soul.

Twelfth. Lastly, true civility and Christianity may both flourish in a state or kingdom, not withstanding the permission of divers and contrary consciences, either of Jew or Gentile. . . . the government of the civil magistrate extends no further than over the bodies and goods of their subjects, not over their souls, and therefore they may not undertake to give laws unto the souls and consciences of men. . . .the Church of Christ does not use the arm of secular power to compel men to the true profession of the truth, for this is to be done with spiritual weapons, whereby Christians are to be exhorted and not compelled.


Document G:

Records of the Town of Newark, New Jersey Historical Society Collection, Newark. 1864, VI, 3 ff.

At a meeting touching the indented design of many of the inhabitants of Branford, the following was subscribed:

1st that none shall be admitted freemen or free burgesses within our town upon River in the Province of New Jersey, but such planters as are members of some or other of the Congregational Churches nor shall any but such be chosen to magistracy or to carry on any part of civil judicature, or as deputies or assistants, to have power to vote in establishing laws, and making or repealing them . . . Nor shall any but such church members have any vote in any such elections; thought all others admitted to be planters have right to their proper inheritances, and do and shall enjoy all other civil liberties, according to all laws, orders, grants which are, or hereafter shall be made for this town…


Document H:

Source: Livingston Rutherford, John Peter Zenger, His Press, His Trial.

It is agreed upon by all men that this is a reign of liberty, and while men keep within the bounds of truth, I hope they may with safety both speak and write their sentiments of the conduct of men in power—I mean of that part of their conduct only which affects the liberty or property of the people. . .

Were this to be denied, then the next step may make them slaves. For what notions can be entertained of slavery beyond that of suffering the greatest injuries and oppressions without the liberty of complaining. . .

The question before the court and you, gentlemen of the jury, in not of small nor private concern, it is not the cause of a poor printer, nor of New York alone, which you are now trying. No! It may in its consequence affect every freeman that lives under a British government on the main of America. . . It is the cause of liberty. . . by an impartial and uncorrupted verdict [you will] have laid a noble foundation for securing to ourselves, our posterity, and our neighbors, that to which nature and the laws of our country have given us a right—the liberty, both exposing and opposing arbitrary power. . . by speaking and writing truth.


Document I:

Source: Gillon & Matson, The American Experiment: A History of the United States. (New York: Houghton Mifflin, 2002), pp 92-93.

Spain , the preeminent colonial power in the 1500s, set the model for imperial economic policy that other nations would follow.

English merchants sought extensive government intervention in the economy to protect now one, now another rising economic interest. Their thinking known (and criticized) as mercantilism, the term used in 1776 by the famous Scottish political economist Adam Smith.

. . .Within the nation, mercantilists said, inhabitants needed a wise government to harness production, to curb the greedy and destructive tendencies of competition, and to promote and channel the exchange of goods through regulation.

By the late 1600s, many mercantilists believed that wealth was not necessarily finite, but that expanding commerce with far-flung peoples helped create strong empires. A commercial empire they wrote, should have one center from which flowed finished goods and many widely distributed satellites that consumed the center’s manufactures and sent back raw materials for additional production in the “home country.”


Document J:

Source: Degler, Out of Our Past. Pp. 3-5

In America the availability of land rendered precarious, if not untenable, those European institutions which were dependent upon scarcity of land. Efforts to establish feudal or manorial reproductions in the New World came to nothing. . . the upper class in America was one into which others might move when they had acquired the requisite wealth. And so long as wealth accumulation was open to all, the class structure would be correspondingly flexible. . . The very character of the society was affected. As we have seen already, it meant that wealth, rather than family or tradition, would be the primary determinant of social stratification.

Document K:

Source: John D. Hicks, The Federal Union. 3rd ed. Vol. I, (New York: Houghton Mifflin Company. 1957). P.19

The generous charters which trading companies received from the English crown reveal a kind of alliance between government and business that is not difficult to explain.

. . .According to the mercantilists, the chief measure of a country’s wealth was the amount of gold and silver it could amass. The trading companies, by exchanging expensive English manufactures for cheap raw materials, might be counted upon to produce for England a “favorable balance of trade,” because of which a steady stream of precious metals would flow into the country. Indeed, economic dependence might easily lead to the loss of political independence

To thoughtful English officials America seemed ideally fitted to become an independent national source of supply. The Spanish had found abundant wealth [gold and silver] shy should not the English?


Document L:

Source: D. Pickering, ed. Statutes at Large (1762-1-11807), 7:452-454, 459-460.

Navigation Act of 1660

For the increase of shipping and encouragement of the navigation of this nation wherein, under the good providence and protection of God, the wealth, safety, and strength of this kingdom is so much concerned;… (2) be it enacted. . . from thence forward, no goods or commodities whatsoever shall be imported into or exported out of any lands, islands, plantations, or territories to his Majesty belonging or in his possession. . . .in Asia, Africa, or America in any other ships, vessel or vessels whatsoever, but in such ships or vessels as do. . . belong only to the people of England or Ireland, dominion of Wales. . . or are of the build of and belonging to any the said lands, islands, plantations, or territories, as the proprietors and right owner thereof, and whereof the master and three fourths of the mariners at least are English.

XVIII. And it is further enacted. . .that. . .no sugars, tobacco, cotton-wool, indigoes, ginger rustic, or other dyeing wood, of the growth, production, or manufacture of any English plantation in America, Asia, or Africa, shall be . . .transported from any of the said English plantations as do belong to his Majesty . . ..

XIX. And be it further enacted. . . .that for every ship or vessel which. . .shall set sail out of or from England, Ireland, Wales, . . .for any English plantation in America, Asia, or Africa, sufficient bond shall be given with one surety. . . that the same commodities shall be by the said ship brought to some port. . .and shall there unload. . . .


Document M:

John Winthrop’s Concept of Liberty. (Taken from Kennedy, The American Spirit. Volume I, New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, p.50-51.

There is a twofold liberty: natural (I mean as our nature is now corrupt) and civil or federal. The first is common to man with the beasts and other creatures and man, as he stands in relation to man simply, hath liberty to do what he lists.. It is a liberty to evil as well as to do good. This liberty makes men grow more evil, and in time to be worse than brute beasts. . . .

The other kind of liberty I call civil or federal. It may also be termed moral, in reference to the covenant between God and man in the moral law, and the politic covenants and constitutions amongst men themselves. . . Whatsoever crosseth this is not authority, but a distemper thereof. This liberty is maintained and exercised in a way of subjection to authority. It is of the same kind of liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free.

The woman’s own choice makes such a man her husband; yet being so chosen, he is her lord, and she is to be subject to him, yet in a way of liberty, ot of bondage. And a true wife accounts her subjection to her husband’s authority.


Document N:

French Explorations in the Midwest LeRoy Hafen Map


Document O:

Spanish Explorations In North America. MAP LeRoy Hafen


Document P:

Colonial Triangular Trade Map To found in Gillon & Matson, p.97.


Document Q:

De Lamar Jensen, Reformation Europe: Age of Reform and Revolution. pp. 434-5

In the meantime, the first English penetration of the Spanish colonial monopoly launched English colonization ventures in America. More in spite of James I than through his support. London merchants organized a colonizing company for settling and trading in Virginia. In 1607 its first exploration planted a colony upriver from the Chesapeake Bay, naming Jamestown in honor of the king. Difficult weather, lack of food and little desire to grow their own, harassment by Indians, and rampant disease almost destroyed the colony. Most of the settlers died within the first two years. Reinforcements from the newly chartered Virginia Company, the gradual realization that any wealth acquired would have to come from the sweat and toil rather from picking up gold nuggets, and introduction of tobacco cultivation, combine to salvage the colony and eventually make it a successful enterprise.

The second permanent English settlement was Plymouth Colony, established in 1620 by the Pilgrims, a voluntary joint-stock company composed of religious separatists from London, Southampton, and Leiden, Holland. It was later annexed to the larger Massachusetts Bay Colony, founded a few years later by Puritans from England. Neither colony produced the economic wealth that it expected to, but they did plant a legacy of representative self-government in the colony with the Mayflower Compact, by which its signatories agreed to unite in a political-religious society and obey the Laws that would subsequently by made.

From an economic point of view, other ventures were proving to be more profitable. This period was one of commercial expansion for England as well as France and the Netherlands. The American colonies were only a small part of that activity. The Spanish monopoly in the West Indies was penetrated by English seamen and merchants in the first three decades of the seventeenth century. Saint Kitt was settled in 1624. . .Nevis, Montserrat, Antigua, Trinidad, and Tobago,[sometime later]. Barbados, that hidden jewel of the Caribbean was claimed in 1625. It also produced quick wealth from the sale of cotton, tobacco, and sugar.


Document R:

Curitis P. Nettels, (Cornell University) Roots of American Civilization. [New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts, Inc. 1938,] p

The transition from medieval to modern economy introduced a new economic philosophy which the eighteenth century designated as mercantilism—not a systematic program but a collection of regulations exhibiting a major trend. Political mercantilism was an expression of the militant nationalism which arose upon the ruins of feudalism. Its objects were threefold: to achieve an economic self-sufficiency for the manufacturers, and merchants, and to yield an ample revenue to the Crown.

In the opinion of mercantilists the external trade of a country was similar to the business of private merchant. Imports were analogous to the merchant’s purchases, and exports to his sales; the nation’s gain consisted in an excess of exports over imports, or in favorable balance of trade, likened to the merchants’ profit. Such excess value should, in part assume the form of gold or silver money imported to the country

In English mercantilism the role of agriculture was to supply raw materials and foodstuffs for the country rather than for exportation; to this end the landowners received favors from the government through high duties [tariffs] on imports of foreign grain (the corn laws) and through acts which restricted the importation of foreign wool. Manufactured good preferred as exports as exports because they bore high prices than raw materials and hence to create a more favorable balance of trade.


Document S:

SOURCE: Gerald N. Grob and Robert N. Beck, American Ideas. Vol. I, New York: Free Press, 1963. P.63

Puritanism was largely a middle-class movement that had economic as well as political implications.

There is little doubt that Puritanism was closer to medieval theory than the material goals and values of a growing middle class that was becoming prominent in England and Western Europe after the fifteenth century. While the Puritan never thought of his religion in economic terms, he did emphasize the fact that man could serve God not by withdrawing from the world, but rather by following an occupation or calling that served the world. The Puritan emphasis on industry and enterprise appealed to the middle class in a way that could not appeal to the peasantry or nobility. Although it is difficult to show a causal relationship between capitalism and Puritanism it is probably safe to assert that both movements tended to move closer together because of the affinity and attraction of each toward the other. Undoubtedly Puritan and capitalist ideas went into the formation of the American doctrine of Laissez-faire individualism, a theory that was destined to have momentous repercussions for subsequent economic and social development.

In spite of the proximity of certain Puritan values to the rising capitalistic ethic, Puritanism was more medieval than modern in its economic theory and practice. The idea of unrestrained economic individualism would have seemed a dangerous notion to any self-respecting Puritan. The statue books and court records of seventeenth-century Massachusetts abound in examples of price and wage controls instituted by the government of the colony. The Puritans, furthermore, always looked upon wealth as a gift from God given in the form of a trust; and they emphasized not only the benefits that accrued from work and wealth, but also their duties and responsibilities. In 1639, for example, one of the richest merchants in the colony was fined by the General Court (the highest legislative body) for excessive profiteering, despite the fact that there was no statue against the practice. The Puritans could never separate religion and business, and they often reiterated the medieval conception of the "just price."

In the long run, however, the Puritan ethic, when divorced from its religious background, did serve to quicken and stimulate the spirit of capitalism. The limitations placed by the Puritans on the individual and the freedom of movement within society were subordinated as the time went on in favor of the enterprising and driving individual who possessed the ability and ambition to rise through his own exertions. Thus it is paradoxical that seventeenth-century Puritanism, which was diametrically opposed to economic individualism, should have played a major part in the emergence of a laissez-faire capitalistic ethic.


Document T:

Diaries of Richard Hakluyt “On The Planting of the English Colonies”

Sir Walter Raleigh and his close friends had been attempting for years to persuade Queen Elizabeth I of the importance of colonization. This group requested Richard Hakluyt to write a book to explain to the Queen the necessity of England bestirring herself to contest Spain’s growing domination of the New World.

I. That this westerne discoverie will be greately for thinlargement of the gospel of Christe, whereunto the prince of the reformed religion are chefely bounde, amongst whome her Majestie yr principall.

II. That all other Englishe trades are growen beggarly or daungerous, especially in the Kinge of Spayne his dominions, where our men are fryven to flinge their bibles and prayer bokes into the sea, and to forsweare and recounce their religion and conscience and consequently theyr obedience to her Majestie.

III. That this westerne voyadge will yelde unto us all the commodities of Europe, Affrica, and Asia, as far as wee were wonte to travel, and supply the wantes of all our decayed trades.

IV. That this enterprise will be for the manifolde imploymente of numbers of idle men, and for beedinge of many sufficient, and for utterance of the great quantities of the commodities of our realme.


Document U:

Map of the Missions and Towns of California by the Spanish


Document V:

Source: Map of Africa as it appears in Donald Wright's African Americans in the Colonial Era. Pg. 10. Courtesy of Harlan Davidson Publishers.


Document W:

Space for Teachers to select and add additional documents to the assignment.

Suggest that teachers use an immigration table showing numbers & percentages of immigrant from both Europe and Africa.


Document X:

Comment on French colonization“France was to play a lead part in the drama of the West, though her entry on the stage was late and her role was brief. Not until the latter half of the seventeenth century did she reach the trans-Mississippi country; while her chief work in the region wad done in the eighteenth century.

Into the wilderness region went singly and in brigades the coureurs de bois (rangers of the woods). To ply their trade in furs, they pushed out among the Indians instead of waiting for the natives to bring in their peltries to the forts. Some of the traders complied with the royal decrees and respected the privileges granted favored persons, while the more common type not only ignored all such restrictions but broke with civilization as well. They joined Indian bands, married Indian wives, became adopted sons of the tribes and took on the head dress and manner of life.

LeRoy Hafen & Carl Coke Rister, Western America.2nd edition. (New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1950.) p.31

Comment by Father Junipero Serra on colonization

The missions became rude manufactories, with the Indians weaving blankets and coarse fabrics, tanning hides, making shoes, and saddles…and operating flour mills. The missionaries. . . “were something more than teachers of religion. The wide power of their administration made them virtual owners and managers of the vast economic plant. They were farmers, cattlemen, manufacturers, traders, and in a sense, bankers and inn-keepers, as well as preachers.”

Less romantic than the missions, yet “the backbone of the province,” were the presidios. They checked the thousands of Indians and helped the friars maintain discipline among their wards. No mission was without its military guard of five or six soldiers. The presidios helped prevent foreign invasion by foreign nations.

LeRoy Hafen & Carl Coke Rister, Western America.2nd edition. (New York: Prentice-Hall, Inc. 1950.) p.77


Document Y:

In the meantime the attention of New Spain was directed to the Pcific where a new foreign menace threatened the borderlands of Mexico. Russia was the villain. After 1741, when a Danish navigator, Vitus Bering, sailing in the service of the czars, discovered Alaska and the Aleutian Islands, Cossack traders pushed steadily southward along the North American coast in search of seal sea otter peltry. By 1763 their vessels were cruising as far south as the Oregon country; near enough to threaten the California gateway to Mexico

Ray Allen Billington, Westward Expansion: AHistory of the American Frontier. 3 ed. (New York: Macmillan Company, 1960), p.439


Document SummaryDocument A: Magna Carta from Medieval England

Document B: John Locke, 2nd Treatise on Civil Government

Document C: Mayflower Compact

Document D: Fundamental Orders of Connecticut

Document E: John Winthrop-History of New England

Document F: “The Bloody Tenet of Persecution for the Cause of Conscience.

Document G: Records of the Town of Newark

Document H: Records of the trial of John Peter Zenger

Document I: The American Experiment

Document J: Degler, Out of Our Past.

Document K: J.D. Hicks, The Federal Union

Document L: D. Pickering, Statutes at Large-Navigation Act

Document M: John Winthrop’s “Concept of Liberty”

Document N: Map: French Exploration in Midwest

Document O: Spanish Explorations In North America

Document P: De Lamar Jensen, Reformation Europe--An Age of Reform and Revolution.

Document Q: Curtis Nettels, Roots of American Civilization

Document R: Grob and Beck, American Ideas

Document S: Richard Hakluyt, “On the Planting of English Colonies”

Document T: Map, The Missions and Towns of California


Document U: Map of Africa-Showing the Slave Areas & Trade

Document V: Blank for teacher insert (Immigration Statistics)

Document W: Blank for teacher insert (Views of religious settlers.

U.S. History Rubric Check SheetJim Tomlin, AP Reader

Thesis —Position is clear, argued well, and developed with outside information

o Well developed and clearly focused (8-9)o Clear and adequate (5-7)o Confused, limited, or missing (2-4)o No thesis, provides an inappropriate response (0-1)

Document Usage —accurate, applicable, and interpreted correctly: o Sophisticated use of a substantial number of documents (8-9)o Several documents used, may be more descriptive than

analytical (5-7)o Few documents used, significant errors in document

interpretation (2-4)o No document used, obvious misunderstanding of documents

(0-1)

Critical Thought —deep, open, & clear for the readers o Strong interpretation and analysis (8-9)o Limited or superficial analysis, mostly descriptive (5-7)o Limited or no understanding of the question (2-4)o Shows a complete lack of understanding (0-1)

Evidence —Facts, conclusions, & arguments are sound o Abundant, appropriate, dealing with all aspects of question (8-

9)o Uses some factual information (5-7)o Superficial or missing supporting information (2-4)o Little or no evidence (0-1)

Writing Style —Fluency, Form, & Correctness: o Well organized and well written (8-9)o Acceptable organization and writing (5-7)o Weak organization and/or poorly written (2-4))o May be incomprehensible (0-1)

Error Level —Grammar, Mechanics, Content, & Logical o No errors or errors are insignificant (8-9)o May contain minor errors (5-7)o May contain major errors (2-4)o Has substantial factual errors (0-1)


Correct and accurate use of documentsClear and coherent writing maintainedOutside information brought into the questionArguments are sound and logicalConclusions are supported by historical evidenceExpression and diction are of university level workThe essay is completely convincing.

Rubric For Teaching, Reading, & WritingThesis statement:

The question identifies a whole handful of key ingredients that help to explain the discovery, colonization, and effective settlement of North America. All five elements were necessary to achieve the permanent settlement and development of a 200 year period of enduring culture that mirrored old Europe, while becoming a brave new world for the tired and oppressed of the Reformation. It was the creation of new nation based upon self-reliance, self-motivation, and self-government.

Point #1: Issues of Geography that Affected the New World Colonial spheres of influence up to Seven Years War (Map) The Great Southwest Spain’s Empire North American Coast—Florida to Maine—English Control French Explored—Great Lakes, St. Lawrence, & Mississippi

Valley Russian claims to Alaska and western Canada.

Point #2: Economic developments in Old & New Worlds Mercantilism was the economic bridge of the time French interest is in fur trading Spanish interests were Gold & Silver exploitation of Indians Portugal and Holland were involved in trading commerce

ventures Capitalism and commerce with agriculture was Britain’s interest

Point #3: Foundations of Democracy from the Beginning American democracy has foundations in Middle Ages &

theocracy Espouses self-government by the majority Representative government established in English colonies Government by social contract and common consent Development of self-reliance and independence were the

outcome!

Point #4: Impact of Religion on colonization of the New World Development and manifestations of Puritanism/Calvinism Two-fold development of Catholicism with Spain and France English contributed: Anglicanism, Quakerism, and

Congregationalism


Lutheranism is only marginally important in New Holland Religion is based on faith rather than dogmatism

Point #5: The issues of race, ethnicity, gender affect economics Introduction of slavery was an economic based issue Native Americans and the economics of the fur trade In Spanish America, the mestizo/mulatto pose a dilemma Immigrants vs continental Americans was dramatic over time The changing role of women in the New World was affected by

all issues Old World ethnic clashes with new world peoples

Point #6: These Issues were the cornerstones of New World Ideals Renaissance, Reformation, Overseas Expansion, and

Colonization Spanish system of God, Gold, and Glory was the motivation Control of the sea-lanes controlled the colonial commerce Location, Climate, soil, and topography are specific determiners Mercantilism was the motive for economic nationalism &

imperialism

Point #7: History is but geography in motion. Capability of European nations to command the seas Spain comes early and stays on France and Holland come as commercial nations colonize little The Hafen thesis, that “history is geography in motion” is

correct. Geography was dramatically affected by technology.

Point #8: The national interests of Europe converging in the New World Spain’s ambitions and conquests Portugals achievements French national interests extended to… Dutch impact on the New World Russia competes for slice of the pie

Point #9: Conclusions democracy evolved and developed over time religion was a major player of democratization & autocracy mercantilism was the economic philosophy of the whole age The time, the events, and the location all played roles England won, because England settled and provided the reasons

for people to come to the new world

Conclusions: (Use bullet points if you wish here.) The essay shows change over time in dramatic ways Enables students to compare and contrasts styles and policies


Essay synthesizes the elements of colonial durability Essay argues the causes and success of colonization Essay is an historical evaluation of developing overseas expansion

Lecture Notes From Summer InstitutesJohn A. Braithwaite, Director

AP U.S. History - SEMINAR NOTESAug. 2, 1996

Dr. De Lamar Jensen-Brigham Young Univ.Ph.D. from Columbia University

SESSION I:

Introduction:

None of the activities of the period we are calling the Renaissance has had a more profound effect on the world during the last 500 years than the global expansion of European ideas, institutions, religions, languages, and customs than the Age of Exploration & Overseas Expansion. This age can be called the Europeanization of the World, especially the New

World. European ideas, institutions, and techniques became the anchors of civilization. The progressive impact and cumulative effects have continued from the

seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries, and have even made a major impact on 20th century.

Expansion of Europe caused the center of expansion to shift from the eastern Mediterranean to the Atlantic seaboard.

It sparked the transition from an almost completely agrarian economy to one of combined commercial and industrial capitalism.

It also spurred and stimulated further technological and scientific achievements. The influx of silver from the mines of the new world sent inflation soaring to

almost 300%

The Background and Motives of the Iberian Expansion: What would cause Latin Christendom to reverse a 1000 trend and launch

vigorous exploration. Underlying motivation was an over-powering fascination for the exotic Far East. The legend of riches, goods, and magic were inextricably interwoven.


Medieval myths about the land of the Amazons, the Fountain of Youth, the land of Ophir influenced Europeans.

There had been some trading with the Orient since Roman times over the “silk route—no one knows exactly where the route was.

The interposition of Moslem power in Central Asia, Europe was isolated from Asia, and the myths grew wilder.

Nomadic Mongol tribes subdued the Chinese under the rule of Genghis Khan who sought the “the domination of the world.” It covered the world from Korea to the Black Sea and from Siberia to Afghanistan.

The first known traders were Franciscan Giovanni Plano Carpini, William of Ruysbroeck. Later, Niccolo and Maffeo Polo, taking the 15 year old son of Niccolo—Marco.

Other traders and missionaries followed. And thus set the stage for the missions, the pueblos, and presidios to bring Christianity.

The early fifteenth century saw the travels of Prester John, which motivated the Portuguese voyages down the African coast.

Geography and Maps: Medieval maps were mostly symbolic representations of the world. The recovery of Ptolemy’s Geography in 1410 opened a new dimension in

cartography. Ptolemy described the world as a spherical earth onto a flat surface with the use

of meridians and parallels. (see pg. 331 of Renaissance Europe.) Of great value to Renaissance seamen were the portolan charts. They were

developed in the 13th century. The Catalan Atlas was made my Abraham Cresques, a Majorcan Jew whose son became the cartographer of Prince Henry of Portugal.

European technological developments, especially in navigation, cartography, and shipbuilding made expansion possible and made possible the continuation of exploration possible.

Portuguese innovation in ship building more value and important than the last 1000 years of sea-going mariners.

European seamen learned fast from the Arabs and from one another. Portuguese, Dutch, French, English, and Spaniards.

Much of the geographical knowledge of early exploration was past one to future navigators. The Regimento do astrolabio e do quadrante, was used by da Gama and all future Portuguese navigators.

The Sea Routes to India: An almost continuous development of Portuguese expansion can be traced to

1415 to the climatic arrival of Vasco da Gama in India in 1497. The period was dominated third son of King Joao, Prince Henry “The Navigator” Prince Henry saw his destiny in the stars and was moved by Providence to fulfill

the decree of his horoscope. Following the victory over the Moors in North Africa, Prince Henry became the

active force in Portuguese maritime activities. He attracted the best cosmographers, astronomers, and mathematicians to his school for seamen.

Henry’s data soon became part of the growing library of oceanography. Early Portuguese achievements :

o Gil Eannes, the most able of Henry’s captains rounded Cape Bojador the first obstacles to surround the Cape of Good Hope.

o Several groups of islands off the African coast were discovered.o Prince Henry introduced sugar to these islands for cultivation, cotton, and

grapes were also raised. Along with the production of sugar cane, came the introduction of African

slaves, Later, came a profitable market for spices, ivory, gold, silver, and monkeys. Prince Henry di not live to see the complete fruition of his pioneering efforts.


The climax of the African voyages came with the memorable voyages of Bartholomew Dias, who sailed from Lisbon which eventually led to Cape of good Hope. The commander of this expedition was Vasco da Gama led the expedition.

The zamorin of Calicut, a local ruler under the suzerainty of the Hindu empire welcomed da Gama with respect and ceremony.

After unsavory encounters with both Muslims and Hindus, he returned to Portugal in August of 1498.

The enterprise was a financial success, and the all water route to India was now opened.

The Portuguese Empire: India had been reached. It was obvious that any share Portugal was to have in

the trade would come at Moslem expense. Six months after da Gama, Pedro Alvares Cabral with thirteen ships and 1,200

men, in a voyage more remarkable than da Gama, Cabral was to lay claim to Brazil. Then in the end Bartholomew Diaz made it to India in six months. Cabral sojourn in India was short and violent but still successful according to Amerigo Vespucci.

Arab and Turkish traders did not take the Portuguese lightly. By 1509 the Portuguese road to India was secure

By 1513, the Portuguese had opened the trade with China and a potentially lucrative trade.

There was a less spectacular but equally successful activity with the rulers of India

For the next half century all of Portugal was teeming with interest and activity in the Eastern trade

The very vastness of the Portuguese empire contributed to the downfall of the empire.

SESSION TWO:

Columbus and the Discovery of the New World:

Throughout most of the 15th Century, Portugal’s immediate neighbor to the east paid less attention to oversee discovery and exploration.

The two kingdoms of Castile and Aragon had variant objectives and had NOT yet been unified. Castile was caught in the Reconquista movement. Aragon was extensively committed to western Mediterranean

Christopher Columbus was such a key figure in the opening of the European expansion. Legends have grown out of the fragmentary evidences of the period.

Geographers, mathematicians, and philosophers for more than 15 centuries had calculated the circumference of the earth with considerable accuracy.

The unique contribution of Columbus was not the concept of a spherical earth, but the tightly argued thesis that it was not as large as people had previously thought.

Among the influences on Columbus were the Travels of Marco Polo, which Columbus read avidly.

The complete motives of the discoverer will probably never be known, but there is evidence that they were not unlike those of Henry the Navigator almost a century earlier.

His religious frame of mind saw…a providential enlargement of Christianity. Columbus’s belief in his own destiny as an instrument of God to bring about this

change in the world and to prepare for the Last Days gave him unfaltering determination to succeed.


There is a persistent legend that Columbus had some secret knowledge of the West Indies before 1492.

Columbus had a hard time selling his ideas to either his adopted countrymen or their neighbors.

Genoese by birth, Columbus spent his youth in the western Mediterranean. For eight years, he tried to sell his small world idea and obtain backing for

exploration and discovery. He went to King of Portugal first, next he went to Spain, he was thrice rejected. A lesser man might have given up but Columbus persisted until he saw Queen Isabella.

The tiny expedition of three small ships and ninety men as a joint financed enterprise paid for by Columbus, the Castilian crown, and Alonso de Quintanilla, a merchant of Seville.

At sea, Columbus proved himself to be a capable and meticulous navigator. According to his Diario, Columbus impression was one of amazement,

admiration, and condescension. He was struck by the fact that they wore no clothes—“naked as their mothers bore them.”

After exploring the coastline of Cuba and Haiti [Hispaniola] they obtained small quantities of gold and ornaments from the natives. Columbus established a colony with thirty-nine of his crew and began the tortuous journey back to Spain. The conflict between the Portuguese and Spanish, resulted in the Treaty of Tordesillas or the line of Demarcation to separate the claims. The Treaty of Tordesillas, was diplomatic victory for Portugal. However, Castile would become the possessor of empire so large, so rich, and diverse that it would take centuries to discover.

The impact of Columbus’s first voyage was immediate in Spain and raised considerable curiosity in the rest of Europe. It was one of vitality and leadership of Spain for the next century and half.

The Age of Exploration:

The Treaty of Tordesillas had not been signed when Columbus weighed anchor for his second voyage to the “Indies”. He was in the height of his glory, commanding seventeen ships and 1,500 men.

1498 he embarked on a third voyage. This time he touched the New World. Columbus was arrested by the royal commissioner sent from Spain and he was sent home in chains. He still had the ear of the Queen and was eventually freed and given authority to make a fourth voyage. This one entirely for exploration.

Columbus’s last years were unhappy partly because he failed to recognize the nature and meaning of his own accomplishment. It was historian Thomas Bailey who called him the “greatest failure who ever lived—he did not know where he was going, he did not know where he was when he got there, and he did not know where he had been when got back.”

John Cabot explored New England. Another Florentine, Amerigo Vespucci accompanied other seamen on voyages along the coast of North and South America.

It was Martin Waldseemuller in his “Introduction to Cosmography” that the New World received its name “America”. Columbus was the discoverer, but it was Vespucci who was the interpreter of the discoveries.

From 1505 until his death in 1512, Amerigo Vespucci was pilot major at Seville, where he supervised and licensed all Spanish expedition to the New World.

During the first two decades following many exploring and colonizing ventures were carried out. Among the more notable ones were: Giovanni da Verrazano, Nunez de Balboa. There were many colonizing efforts made by Spaniards.

Magellan Navigates the Globe: Magellan a Portuguese captain, sailed under the Spanish charter for the New

world. He was the one who successfully would circumnavigate the globe. The trip began in 1515 and ended with the triumphal crossing of the Pacific

Ocean which no one knew how big it was. He died before it was finished but the All Rights Reserved. Copyright 2004. John A. Braithwaite

little Trinidad and Victoria, commanded by El Cano reached Seville in 1522 with its scurvy ridden and leaking ship.

The Spanish Conquest of America: The creation of a Spanish empire in the New World was not only an unparalleled

feat of military conquest but also a landmark in the colonization of foreign lands.

It is noteworthy that the conquistadores who, through determination, valor, cruelty, and endurance, won an empire for Castile. They were primarily from the motherland of Estremadura—the hot, hard, arid southwest corner of Spain.

These hardy frontiersmen carried with them to the New World their distinctive culture and particular dialect of the Castilian Language.

They were not likely to flinch in the face obstacles. They came with and established the three great institutions of colonization in the new world:1) pueblo [civil] 2) presidio[military] 3) mission [religious]

The first major invasion of the American mainland was the Cortes invasion of Mexico [Tenochititclan] center of the Aztecs.

Following the conquest of Mexico, Cortes sent out other expeditions to gather information, explore, plant colonies, and subdue Indians.

The rugged and violent conquistadores did not take well to peaceful pursuits.

The Conquest of Peru and South America: What Cortes did in Mexico, Pizzaro accomplished in South America. The conquest of Peru was initiated by a strange partnership of an ambitious

adventurer, a parish priest, and a harden soldier. Pizzaro led a motley crew down the Andes only to meet defeat and near

annihilation. Two years later, a second assault was made on the fabled Inca Empire. He then had to go home to Spain to see Emperor Charles V. With the help of his

brothers. Finally he returned to Peru in 1533 the conquistadores were in control of the Inca Capital.

Compare with the conquest of Mexico, the victory in Peru was easy; but whereas the subsequent government and organization under Cortes and his successors was relatively smooth and moderate, the turmoil in Peru came after the conquest was over, when the Almagro and Pizzaro factions fell into dispute over the spoils and a civil war occurred with the assassination of both leaders.

Two of the richest areas of the New World, were now in the European hands. It was passed mid-century that progress was made in the Rio de la Plata and Orinoco basin. Even longer before Pedro de Valdivia could conqueror Chile.

Bur like in Mexico, it took the South American conquest to incorporate the three institutions of Spanish rule for them to be effective—the mission, the pueblo, and the presidio.

After 1503, there was established by Spain, a Board of Trade appointed to handle the new world issues.

The various religious orders, as well as clerical courts, answered directly to the Spanish King rather than the pope.

From the outset, missionary zeal was rewarding in the New World. To the Indians, their own gods had failed them.

Dominican, Franciscan, and Augustinian friars baptized hundreds of thousands during the first years of the conquest.

Parishes and dioceses were established, schools, hospitals, and monasteries were built and became the central core of the colonizing forces for Spain

Brazil would remain the stepchild of the Portuguese until late in the sixteenth century. Brazilwood was a high trading commodity for them.

It was this growing competition and threat from Spanish and especially the French traders that moved the Portuguese government to being the actual colonization of Brazil.


By mid-century, Brazil was producing a variety of agricultural forest products, including: cotton, tobacco, cacao, and wood for the Europeans. The Brazilian sugar industry was to become the founding motivation of the plantations.

SESSION THREE:

Economic Motives, Religious Motives, and Empire Motives in the Age of Colonization.

It would be difficult to overemphasize the long-range effects of European overseas expansion on the cultural, social, and political development of Europe during the succeeding centuries.

In the New World, it was decisive, overthrowing ancient political, and social structures while planting new European institutions, languages, and culture in their place.

The elusive relationship between European expansion and the politico-cultural changes in Europe during the 16th and 17th centuries were conscious of the causes, most of them recognized that great economic change was taking place.

The nucleus of the new commercial capitalism was the Portuguese spice trade. Into Seville, flowed new products from the New World: sugar, indigo [blue dye], cochineal [red dye], vanilla, cacao, cotton, and such new products as: potatoes, corn, coffee, and tobacco.

The greatest stimulant to transatlantic trade was the discovery and exploitation of the rich silver deposits in central Mexico and Bolivia

But the boom economy of this European frontier did not lend itself to friendship and mutual respect, either among individuals or nations. From the time of Prince Henry’s first voyage and successful African expedition, a continual rivalry existed coming from Asia and the New World Spanish.

Early in the sixteenth century, French seamen began to make serious inroads into profitable Spanish colonial system. Free lance Italian and German merchants as well as became wealthy in America or in the American trade.

The expansion of Europe was truly an economic catalyst in making the modern world.

This change was not achieved without high cost. Most Europeans still saw both Asia and America more as oddities than

meaningful entities, exotic rather than real. Their thought and culture were not yet related to the New World, but rather to

their own Christian heritage and to the civilizations of classical Greece and Rome.

Spain Under Phillip II:

Now we need to turn our attention to the World of Phillip II which is the focus of this lecture.

The “coming home” of the Spanish King in 1559 ushered in a new era of political and cultural vigor.

Phillip II, The Ruler and the Man: The most powerful monarch of the late sixteenth century was Phillip of Spain. He became the King in 1556, at the age of 29. R. Trevor Davie’s assessment

was “Those who know him best recognized him as truthful, devout, frugal, and in his own living and generous towards others.”

There is little disagreement over Phillip’s outward characteristics and appearance. He was reserved, shy, solitary, and serious—with a tendency towards melancholy. He was slight of build, short but erect, fair-haired, blue-eyed, with a jaw that was square and thick lower lip. He had asthma most of his life.


Under the this cold, impassive, exterior lay deeper traits deeper to be understood the man and his reign.

Phillip was sensitive to the world of art and scholarship, not only as patron, but as a connoisseur. He supported the universities and patronized learning in many forms. He established the Academy of Science and Mathematics.

His influence in Spanish government was even greater. He took his kingly duties very seriouos. He declared, “Bien es mirar a todo” translation is—it is better to keep and eye on everything.

It is little wonder that the objective of Phillip’s domestic rule, as well as, foreign policy, was to preserve the status quo.

The Government of Spain meant that Phillip’s titles and honors were separately bestowed and his powers separately exercised. Phillip achieved considerable success in administering his far-flung Empire.

The system of administrative councils developed by Ferdinand and Isabella and extended by Charles V, were continued and further expanded by Phillip II.

Liason between the councils and the king was provided by written reports, consultas!

The desires and opinions of numerous corporate groups, municipalities, and even individuals were heard throught the parliamentary cortes. The cortes of Aragon was much more active and an important body than in Castile.

Spanish administrative policy in the New World was similar to that practiced in Naples, Sicily, Milan, or Aragon. Phillip was the sole ruler, spokesman, and protector, but the administration had to function through some sort of bureaucracy.

From time to time, the Council of the Indies sent [visitadores] to examine the administrations of the Viceroys. Delegated to the Viceroys was power from the king and councils.

The colonial [audiencias] were microcosms of the Council of Castile. At any rate, this was sophisticated form of “checks and balances”

Phillip II inherited a serious financial trouble when he ascended the throne. Despite this gloomy picture of the sixteenth-century economy favorable

features were apparent. The principal beneficiaries of land were the Church and the wealthy noble families.

See New World Treasure and Imports to Spain, 1556-1600 [In ducats!]

Basic to the entire life, thought, and administration of Spain, in the New World and the Old, was the Roman Catholic church. We have seen how Christianity prevailed over Islam in the reconquista and how religious reformation within Spain, in the New World as in the Old, was the Roman Catholic Church.

Phillip took immediate steps to abate any doubts concerning his religious positions and beliefs.

Phillip’s identification of the interests of Spain with those of the church does not imply that he always saw eye to eye with the pope on matters of religion and politics. (Especially when it depended on who was Pope)

The Spanish Netherlands was not only the richest of Phillip’s empire, but also during this period the most prosperous area in Europe. From the beginning these provinces was challenging. Many factors led to their estrangement, and eventual revolut, civil war, and revolution involved religious, social, and economic issues as well as personal animosities. William of Orange would become the nucleus of organized opposition.

Finally this Age of Phillip became the “Golden Century of Spanish Literature. The literary expression of the siglo de oro took many forms, but it was most creative and influential in the theater and the novel. For poetry, there was the immortal Lope de la Vega. In the novel there was the immortal Cervantes with his Don Quixote de la Mancha

Lastly, pride in Spanish greatness and in the mother church was in part responsible for the eminence, produced in the visual arts, the Spanish Golden Age was varied and divergent. It was El Greco, Morales deep mysticism, and


the maintainence of Gothic style that linked the medieval church and the Spain of the Counter-Reformation

Well, there is much more to say, to read, to know, but the time has now escaped us. Thanks for inviting me to come and make the case and connection between the European Age of Discovery and the Colonization that would lead to France, England, Portugal, Holland to compete with Spain in the development of the new Western world.


Documents

RELIGION IN COLONIAL AMERICA€¦ · Web viewRead the first FOUR chapters in Gillon & Matson, The American Experiment. pp 1-167 and read Gary Nash’s piece, “Black People in