C121
Task 1
A1. Political Motivations for English Imperialism
England witnessed the success Spain and France were having once they began settling in the
Americas. Fearing that America would soon be dominated by their competitors, they went out looking
for gold, spices and more resources America contained, including better trading routes, in hopes they
could also increase their wealth and power (Norton, 2015).
A2. Social pressures contributing to English Colonization (Ch. 2 Sect. 1
& 2)
At the time England was facing great overpopulation that resulted in inflation, lower wages, high
rates of poverty and homelessness. Many English citizens thought it more beneficial to move to America
where there was more open land, successful farming, tobacco industry and the opportunity to receive
50 acres of land if one emigrated on their own dime. Furthermore, the religious transformation
occurring in England was a large reason that many emigrated as it was becoming more tense between
differing religions. Many Puritans, Separatists, Presbyterians, and Catholics fled to America to practice
their religion without fear of persecution (Norton, 2015).
B. Diverse Colonies
Economic Systems Social Characteristics Political Systems
Massachusetts Bay There were three major Most of the population John Winthrop was the
town centers; Coastal was Puritans resulting first governor.
towns used as seaports, strict laws that were
commercialized aligned with Puritan Property-owning male
agricultural towns that views. church members were
had greater access to allowed to vote.
, water and allowed Colonists were required
surplus crop to be to attend church, Government consisted
traded, and rural fathers were the head of a governor and two-
agricultural areas that of household, and his house legislature.
maintained their ideal family was submissive
community lifestyle. to him. Because their religion
was of such importance
Slavery was prevalent Most of the men in the to their way of life,
with about 400 African colony were married colonists were taxed in
Americans living there, and generally had 5-7 order to build churches
majority of them children. and pay the salaries of
enslaved. ministers.
After a period of battles
African men, women the Pequot coexisted
and children were with the colonists by
considered trade trading and working
commodities. with them but refusing
to integrate into their
society.
Virginia Tobacco was the main Most of the colonists Only white property-
source of revenue. were Anglican and a lot owning men could vote.
of them emigrated to
escape religious They created the House
A great number of the persecution. of Burgesses—the first
population was elected council in the
indentured servants. The Natives and colonies.
Colonists in the area
Due to the greater launched several
amount of labor attacks on each other
required to produce over 24 years even after
tobacco the industry signing peace treaties
relied heavily on but eventually became
indentured servants. civil enough to
exchange goods.
Although well over
majority of the
population was men,
many households had
2-4 members in them.
The Carolinas Planted corn and raised There were two distinct Men with property and
cattle that they traded population centers for money were allowed to
to Caribbean peoples in North and South vote.
return for slaves. Carolina.
The colony had a
North Carolina focused South Carolina was judiciary system that
on tobacco and mostly Anglican. included county courts
Task 1
A1. Political Motivations for English Imperialism
England witnessed the success Spain and France were having once they began settling in the
Americas. Fearing that America would soon be dominated by their competitors, they went out looking
for gold, spices and more resources America contained, including better trading routes, in hopes they
could also increase their wealth and power (Norton, 2015).
A2. Social pressures contributing to English Colonization (Ch. 2 Sect. 1
& 2)
At the time England was facing great overpopulation that resulted in inflation, lower wages, high
rates of poverty and homelessness. Many English citizens thought it more beneficial to move to America
where there was more open land, successful farming, tobacco industry and the opportunity to receive
50 acres of land if one emigrated on their own dime. Furthermore, the religious transformation
occurring in England was a large reason that many emigrated as it was becoming more tense between
differing religions. Many Puritans, Separatists, Presbyterians, and Catholics fled to America to practice
their religion without fear of persecution (Norton, 2015).
B. Diverse Colonies
Economic Systems Social Characteristics Political Systems
Massachusetts Bay There were three major Most of the population John Winthrop was the
town centers; Coastal was Puritans resulting first governor.
towns used as seaports, strict laws that were
commercialized aligned with Puritan Property-owning male
agricultural towns that views. church members were
had greater access to allowed to vote.
, water and allowed Colonists were required
surplus crop to be to attend church, Government consisted
traded, and rural fathers were the head of a governor and two-
agricultural areas that of household, and his house legislature.
maintained their ideal family was submissive
community lifestyle. to him. Because their religion
was of such importance
Slavery was prevalent Most of the men in the to their way of life,
with about 400 African colony were married colonists were taxed in
Americans living there, and generally had 5-7 order to build churches
majority of them children. and pay the salaries of
enslaved. ministers.
After a period of battles
African men, women the Pequot coexisted
and children were with the colonists by
considered trade trading and working
commodities. with them but refusing
to integrate into their
society.
Virginia Tobacco was the main Most of the colonists Only white property-
source of revenue. were Anglican and a lot owning men could vote.
of them emigrated to
escape religious They created the House
A great number of the persecution. of Burgesses—the first
population was elected council in the
indentured servants. The Natives and colonies.
Colonists in the area
Due to the greater launched several
amount of labor attacks on each other
required to produce over 24 years even after
tobacco the industry signing peace treaties
relied heavily on but eventually became
indentured servants. civil enough to
exchange goods.
Although well over
majority of the
population was men,
many households had
2-4 members in them.
The Carolinas Planted corn and raised There were two distinct Men with property and
cattle that they traded population centers for money were allowed to
to Caribbean peoples in North and South vote.
return for slaves. Carolina.
The colony had a
North Carolina focused South Carolina was judiciary system that
on tobacco and mostly Anglican. included county courts
