Conflicts Early Settlers in Colonies Faced - Essay Example

Full Conflicts Early Settlers in Colonies Faced Conflicts are often present among groups of people, regardless of education, gender, race or religion. This was evident among the early settlers in the colonies not only with the Native Americans but among themselves as well as revealed in some early literary works. However, there are also conflicts which were out of the hands of any of the men and this is the conflict with nature. In this paper, the discussion will be about the conflicts which arose among the settlers during their journey, how they faced their conflicts with nature and how they survived tensions with the native settlers. Conflicts often arise because of different educational, religious and familial backgrounds that influence people’s perceptions or even their agendas. In William Bradford’s journal about their voyage, he mentioned a haughty seaman who made life difficult for the passengers, especially those who are physically weak, who would feel sick at sea (42). The writer notes that the lusty seaman would often curse them and even threatened to throw them overboard before their journey’s end and that he will enjoy their belongings. When others would rebuke him, he did not take things wisely instead, he would curse even more. For people who are away from land and are physically sick, things could really be difficult but it could not get even worse when someone from the group, a person who is expected to be of help, instead becomes the biggest problem. Threats from within the group could not be absent especially when the members come from different backgrounds. For the haughty seaman, he failed to come to terms with his companions so that a simple and most considerable situation became infuriating to him. Being strong and able-bodied, the man became even crueler towards his companions. This is the first conflict that the early American settlers faced during their long and difficult journey from Europe. Sadly, for the young man, he forgot to consider that he does not have control over his life. Thankfully perhaps but still remorsefully, the young man was inflicted with a grievous disease which caused his demise and became the first man to be thrown off overboard before they completed half of their journey. However, the threats and tension brought about by the seaman could have been more bearable than a conflict that comes without warning. For the early settlers, during their voyage did not only face issues among themselves but they also faced troubles with the weather. Considering that the travel the colonizers took was at sea, one could only imagine the dangers that they could encounter. To seafarers, the weather could be their best ally or their worst enemy. When the weather is fair and the wind blows just as hard as needed, it could be the most needed and appreciated help a seaman could have. Nevertheless, the seas could also be rough at the most unexpected times and this only means one thing to the passengers, danger. Just like any ship that sailed the seas, Bradford and his crew were not spared of conflicts with nature. He writes about the troubles they encountered along the way saying about his crew, “they were encountered many times with cross winds and met with many fierce storms with which the ship was shroudly shaken, and her upper works made very leaky” (42). Being at sea, the travellers were helpless in the midst of the storms because they had nowhere to run for refuge. Their only hope was that divine providence would allow their ship to be intact and allow them to arrive at their destination safe and sound. As a result of the leaks and other problems brought about by the storms at sea, the travellers were prone to getting sick. Moreover, they could not completely rely on their sanctuary because one of the strong winds which threaten to destroy their ship. As Braadford also observes, “the main beams in the midships was bowed and cracked, which put them in some fear that the ship could not be able to perform the voyage” (42). However, the problem the travellers faced was not only the possibility that the voyage will not be completed but that the lives of those who are in the ship could as well be in danger in the very place they are taking refuge in. Thankfully, many voyagers were successful including that of Bradford and his crew. Still, the conflicts were not over when they landed in America. Instead, they were faced with many more uncertainties as they faced the Native Americans. The two groups are from entirely different cultures and without prior information about each other before their encounter, they feared each other. When the voyagers found land, they were hesitant to abandon their ship because as Bradford comments, “some would keep the boat for fear they might be amongst the Indians” (49). Being in a new environment, the early settlers in the colonies needed to take precaution in the presence of Indians who were basically hunters. As experienced by others, the voyagers had good reason to fear the Indians. Foreigners are often caught captives and would suffer from hunger and sickness or worse, they could be killed without mercy. For instance, in Mary Rowlandson’s narrative of her captivity, she describes how her neighbors were butchered despite their pleas to be spared of their lives in exchange for money. In her own household, Rowlandson says, “There were twelve killed, some shot, some stab’d with their Spears, some knock’d down with their Hatchets” (74). Being a survivor, she was made captive by a group of Indians who allowed her to carry her wounded six-year old child who eventually died because she was not given any treatment or food for nourishment. She confesses that for days, she had gone without food but was given only water. Aside from the difficulties she experienced in the hands of her captors, she also suffered the worries about her children who were also taken captives by other Indians. Another conflict that arose between the voyagers and Indians was the need to survive. For the voyagers, food was scarce for them because of their long journey at sea. With their food supplies consumed and without any source for more, they were at the mercy of the native settlers. Consequently, foods were often stolen. With this situation, the Indians had good reason to attack the Europeans. Amidst the conflicts the early settlers faced, many of them, including Bradford and Rowland, tried to write about their various dramatic and life-changing experiences which became parts of early American literary works. References Bradford, William. “Of Plymouth Plantation, Book 1”. USA: Random House, Inc., 1952. Electronic copy. Rowlandson, Mary. “A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mary Rowlandson”. Electronic copy. 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