Aspects of the English and Spanish Societies that Arose in the Americas Prior to the 1790 Year - Essay Example

Aspects of the English Anglo-American) & Spanish societies that arose in the Americas prior to 1790 Introduction The Europeans have contributed much to United States development from time immemorial. The north of America was colonized by Europeans. Their culture, social ideas, and language were common to those of North American. Consequently, European influence pre dominated their territories situated on the North despite losing their control politically. Civilization in America began between fifteen to forty years ago. By then the northern land was occupied by huge sheets of ice, which lowered the levels of sea leading to the bridging of North America and Asia (Gellman). Nomads from Asia made the way into America as they followed wild game. The arrow point found in Clovis evidenced their emergence. Burial practices and tools had been found in several sites in South and across North America. With time, a big number of the settlers engaged themselves into agricultural activities forming communities and tribes leading to the emergence of their own distinct languages. Tribes dominated large areas of America, which gained regional value thus leading to rise of highly of advanced empires. These empires instigated rivalry to the great empires, which were in Europe. These people never had a unified identity hence arose difficulties in their reference by historians. Initially, Europeans referred to the natives as Indians. Christopher Columbus derived the term from his belief in discovery of a route to India. This was disputed by Amerigo Vespucci assertion that Americans were not Indians. After some time, the government of Europe enslaved Indians in condition that would be convert them to Christians. By settling in North of America, Spain begun protecting the boundaries of South and Central America from France and England. In 1680, pope’s rebellion resulted to destruction of all catholic churches in New Mexico by the Indians (Harris). The natives were brutally exploited by Spain and other Europeans who took this by then to be acceptable. On the other hand, English colonization was motivated by unemployment, religious freedom desires, market desires and adventure desires. America’s liberty foundation was dictated by the retention of their rights. Discussion The English dominance of America was because of various reasons. Finance provisions by their company, which intended to find their way to India through America, by guaranteeing same rights to its settlers as English citizens. They were also intentions to invest in order to realize instant profits and explore new gold mines. Roanoke and Jamestown were the first English successful colonies in America in 1585 and 1600 respectively. The capture of these two colonies was a result of a trick by chief Powhatan on Captain John Smith, which was to impress and prove to the Indians that America’s desire was peace. The outcome of 1644 war deterred assimilation chances of natives in Virginia (Harris). The natives gave into the pressure from the Europeans since many natives died from disease of the Europeans. In 1619, the settlers purchased slaves, and this made it difficult for addition of African slaves who were expensive. Tobacco cultivation in Jamestown led to: soil destruction, high demand and soaring of the colony’s prosperity. The system of large acre plantation did not diversify the economy of the colony. What disrupted the Native Americans most were the European diseases. France finally joined the taking up of colonies in America following the stop of religious wars. At this time, France government was autocratic different from those of English colonies where assemblies were popularly elected. Beavers were the only precious resource in the French government. The main economic activity was fur trapping. However, due to diseases there was a slow growth in their population. Indians suffered in many ways in their interaction with French, which include decrease in population, abuse of religious beliefs, and decadence from Europeans alcohol, and lastly, there was a decline in their tradition. Britain and France used guerilla warfare in North America. For example, there was the 7 years’ war, which was due to the need to have control over Ohio valley. Britain invaded Canada during the 7-year war in 1756. The Quebec battle of 1759, which was one of the most vital victories in the history of America and Britain, led to the end of 7 years’ war. This followed the French retreat of all its North American territory claims (Gellman). This made Great Britain dominate power but stopped the myth of their invincibility. France succumbed after the defeat by the British and had to let go their hope of taking over North America. Because of this, there was a rise in independence spirit by the Americans. There was hatred directed to British government by the Irish and Scots colonialists. The Scots-Irish was fiercely independent. Their first major project after establishing their community was to build a church. Religious wise they were glued together which enhanced their unity. Scots migration to America through north of Ireland was because of then of the following conditions: poor farm qualities, propagation of profitable farming, high rate of rents and tax for church support. In 1661 under the slave code of Barbados, slaves were not entitled to any right. Indian slaves and rice were the Carolina’s major export, which led to their prosperity. African slaves arrived in English American for the first time in 1619, which is a landmark in the history of America. The House of Burgesses was established for the colony of Virginia shortly after this. In 1775, Africans were widely located in colonial America (Goodfriend). The American colonies were the most varied in the globe though remained to be Anglo-Saxon. Africans were majorly known for being laborers, and they were sourced by Portuguese and sold to other European countries. In the same year, colonial Americans had highly stratified societal classes and were socially immobile. There were many poor people in England as compared to America where their numbers were still massive. The revolution in America brought economic and social mobility to a decline due to the large profits made by many business people in military supplies. Conclusion In a nutshell, the dominance of the Americans both in the north and the south were contributed by the Europeans more so the British, Spanish and French. For instance, the English dominance of America was because of various reasons that include provision of finance by their company, which intended to find their way to India through America by guaranteeing same rights to its settlers as English citizens. They were also intentions to invest in order to realize instant profits and explore new gold mines. Roanoke and Jamestown were the first English successful colonies in America in 1585 and 1600 respectively. On the other hand, the French also joined the taking up of colonies in America following the stop of religious wars. At this time, France government was autocratic different from those of English colonies where assemblies were popularly elected, this brought rivalry between Spain and France since French motives were to compete for empires with Spain. France also disagreed with British government over the northern American domination, which in the end was taken by the British after winning the 7-year’s war of 1756. There was hatred directed to British government by the Irish and Scots colonialists. The Scots-Irish was fiercely independent. Their first major project after establishing their community was to build a church. Religious wise they were glued together which enhanced their unity. Works Cited Gellman, David N. Emancipating New York: The Politics of Slavery and Freedom, 1777-1827. Baton Rouge: LSU Press, 2006. Print. "Immigrants to New York City, 1700-1730." Goodfriend, Joyce D. Before The Melting Pot: Society and Culture in Colonial New York City, 1664-1730 . Princeton: Princeton University Press, 1992. Print. Harris, Leslie M. In the Shadow of Slavery: African Americans in New York City, 1626-1863. Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 2003. Print. Ngai and Gjerde. Major Problems in American History . 2. n.d. Print. Read More