Essay on "European Settlement"

Essay 3 pages (1158 words) Sources: 3

[EXCERPT] . . . .

European Settlement

By the early 17th century Europeans, from many nations, had been exploring North America for decades. Conflict among the great powers for dominance in Europe had existed for centuries and these rivalries spread to the new world as well. A race to control the virgin continent and its potential riches developed. The general knowledge gained from previous ventures and scientific advancements in ship-building and navigation over the century prompted England to establish a permanent presence on the eastern seaboard of the continent. There were several reasons England was interested in such an undertaking and why individuals would accept the risks and hardships that would surely have to be endured. The motivations most often encountered were either religious economic or self- preservation/military.

Few people were willing to leave behind ail they had ever known to settle so far from civilization for only one reason. But most did have a central driving force. Although not the first English to settle in North America, those who arrived on the Mayflower are the best example of colonists whose motivation was mainly religious. They were Christian separatists, known as Puritans, who were at odds with the Anglican Church. In their view Church and State had become intertwined in a mix of corruption, greed and abuse of power that was becoming increasingly intolerable. After a brief attempt to establish their own community in Holland, where the culture was more religiously tolerant, the Puritans felt they were losing their own religious identity. They began to contemplate a resettlement to North America where they could design a society from scratch and establish "A city on a hill" that would be an example to all (Polk 2006, 125). They would be better able to pursue perfection, "So that we shall see much more of his wisdom, power, goodness and truth, than formerly we have been acquainted with" (Winthrop 1630).

As their early struggles for survival in the new land began to improve a sense of relative confidence developed. Other groups also seeking religious freedom soon followed. As these new arrivals tried to settle into their new communities' religious animosities soon surfaced again. Many who felt unwelcomed would again relocate from their original new world destination to found new communities of their own. Communities of Puritans, Protestants, Calvinists, Quakers, Shakers and other Christian denominations were soon found scattered throughout the colonies.

Along with the religious reasons for migrating there were economic factors that prompted others to cross the Atlantic. The majority of people journeying to North America did not have the means to fond or undertake this type of costly endeavor on their own. Great expense was paid to obtain a seaworthy vessel, hiring a crew, purchasing food and supplies for the long crossing and everything else necessary to establish a town and survive until they could become self-sufficient. "Sponsorship and funds had to come from moneyed men serving their own interests" (Fumas 1969, 23). In most cases they would have to find someone to act as a sponsor willing to take a huge financial risk. This usually meant either wealthy merchants, noblemen or the monarchy itself. Someone with a common interest and financial resources was needed. They would supply the capital for the venture and, in exchange, would receive a percentage of any profits generated as the settlement matured. It was a high risk, high reward gamble on everyone's part.

England, like many other countries in Europe at the time, was experiencing a population boom and… READ MORE

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