Looking out for number one

730 Words2 Pages

Looking Out for Number One:
Conflicting Cultural Values in Early Seventeenth-Century Virginia
By: T.H Breen

The main focus of Breen's essay the focus is on the fact that colonists in Virginia were driven and motivated to come to the New World, predominantly for monetary reasons. Virginia's soil was found to be unusually well suited for growing tobacco, which is why it drove such a variety of people to migrate there. The colonists, though said to be religious, were extremely individualistic, selfish, as well as primarily drawn in by the economic opportunity in Virginia. These attitudes and ideals are what consequently resulted in numerous military defeats and massacres. They avoided their military obligations, thus naming them the vulnerable “poorly defended white settlements.” These settlements were very easy for the Indians to take advantage of, as Breen writes.
Early Virginia's flourishing cultivation of tobacco drew a diversity of people, from fresh war veterans and former soldiers, to adventurers and ordinary people looking to recoup from former monetary losses. However the tobacco did not only alter the country culturally and economically, but it “ threw more wood into the fire.” It strengthened the infamous individualistic attitude the colonists had. The advent...

Show More
Related

  • Summary On Myne Owne Ground

    1299 Words  | 3 Pages

    Breen, T. H., and Stephen Innes. Myne Owne Ground: Race and Freedom on Virginia 's Eastern Shore, 1640-1676. 25th anniversary ed. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005. 142 pages (kindle edition).

    Read More

  • Chesapeake Bay Labors in Colonial America

    553 Words  | 2 Pages

    Looking at the early English colonies in the Chesapeake Bay region, it’s clear that the English had not learned any lessons from their experiences at Roanoke. Poor planning, a bad location, unrealistic expectations, flawed leadership, unsuccessful relations with the local Indians, and no hope of finding the mineral wealth the Spanish found in Mexico, all contributed to failure. The first colonists in the Chesapeake region were not only ignorant, lazy and unambitious, but their attempts were hampered before they had begun. However, a solution to these problems was found in a single plant: tobacco. Nevertheless, this cash crop ultimately created numerous problems for the colonists. The ignorance and indolent acts of the Chesapeake colonists to unsuccessfully restore the colony by themselves led to the demise of the colony as a whole especially regarding the planting of agricultural goods for food.

    Read More

  • Cultural Significance Of Gambling In TH Breen's Horses And Gentlemen

    956 Words  | 2 Pages

    Beginning with the idea of independence, Breen explains that the people within society sought no form of constraint by a higher political leader, but at times worked together to make sure their colony was stable Moreover, by understanding their preferences, it is safe to say that they were more comfortable with having the freedom they had from not having a higher ruler. Due to the many immigrants that came in from the European rule, higher classes within the colonies of Virginia sought the opportunity to gain independence. This way, as Breen points out, the gentry were able to control as much land and property as they willed. Consequently, the amount of personal possessions among the people lead into a society built by competitiveness and they obsession of always having

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Edward Waterhouse

    979 Words  | 2 Pages

    They landed in Virginia unaware of the treacherous winter that was nearing. They found out very quickly that the heavenly narrative was quite the opposite. Staying alive was hard for many, especially when the first winter came. A staggering amount of people died the first winter even with the helping hand of the Native Americans. Edward portrayed the relationship between the two groups as peaceful as the Native Americans took the settlers under their wing. He noted that “The old planters (as they thought now come to reape the benefit of their long travels) placed with wonderful content upon their private dividends, and the planting of particular Hundreds and Colonies pursed with a hopeful alacrity, all our projects…in a faire way, and their familiarity with the natives, seeming to open a faire gate for their conversation to Christianitie.” This demonstrates that there was no tension between the settlers and Native Americans. The hospitality shows courteous relationship they shared with one another. Gary Nash shares the same stance of a peaceful friendship when he wrote about trade, stating that “Only a friendly Indian could be a trading Indian. If trade was key to overseas development, then English promoters logically suggested that the Indian might be receptive and generous- a person who could be wooed and won to the advantages of trade.” In other words, there was conflict with one another due

    Read More

  • How Slavery Replaced Indentured Servitude

    1265 Words  | 3 Pages

    John Rolfe played a major role in history in 1614 when he found a way to harvest tobacco. The tobacco crop is what restored Jamestown, Virginia and it would not exist today without this cash crop. Restoring Jamestown is not the only significance the tobacco crop holds; it is also responsible for the early stages of slavery. Since tobacco became the cash crop of Virginia, it was more in demand. There was a shortage of laborers to plant and harvest the tobacco crop and as a result settlers were unable to meet the European quota for tobacco. Since it was increasing in demand more laborers were needed to maintain these large plantations ; therefore more indentured servants were needed. The higher the demand for tobacco, the higher demand for laborers. Company agents advertised a few years of labor bondage and exchange would receive a new and better life in America. In 1619, the first Africans came to Jamestown. They came...

    Read More

  • Attending An HBCU Essay

    1398 Words  | 3 Pages

    The exchange of views whether a student should attend an HBCU or a PWI has been a topic of discussion for some time now. Whether you attend an HBCU or a PWI you go for one purpose and that purpose is to get your education. So who says because someone goes to a predominantly black school they will not get the same education a person gets that goes to a predominantly white school ? Or vice versa. Many people have some sort of idea that by attending a Predominantly White Institution(PWI) one will receive a higher level of education but that is not truly always the case. Most individuals are under the impression that simply because of your skin color you have to attend that type of school. That is the problem with this case just people see it as one should attend the college with individuals who are like you but not keeping one 's education in mind.

    Read More

  • Slavery in Colonial America

    846 Words  | 2 Pages

    Early English settlers in the lower Chesapeake Bay region learned to cultivate tobacco from the Native Americans and it would prove to have profound influence in the development of Chesapeake society and the colonies of Virginia and Maryland as a whole. Between 1627 and 1669, annual tobacco exports climbed from 250,000 pounds to more than 15 million pounds. (p39. The American Journey). The Chesapeake region became the New World’s largest producer of tobacco. Since tobacco was a labour intensive crop to cultivate, the planters sought indentured servants from England as a source of cheap labour. However many servants died in alarming numbers from disease as a result from the supply of indentured servants declined, and larger planters who were wealthy managed to buy slaves. Slave population increased rapidly from 1,708 in 1660 to 189,000 in 1760. (Smith, Billy G., and Nash. Encyclopedia of American History).

    Read More

  • the development of slavery in America

    1202 Words  | 3 Pages

    Slavery was the main resource used in the Chesapeake tobacco plantations. The conditions in the Chesapeake region were difficult, which lead to malnutrition, disease, and even death. Slaves were a cheap and an abundant resource, which could be easily replaced at any time. The Chesapeake region’s tobacco industries grew and flourished on the intolerable and inhumane acts of slavery.

    Read More

  • Losing His Father's Death

    1049 Words  | 3 Pages

    Guildenstern with him. Claudius makes sure to contact the King of England and tells him do his

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Arrogance

    1059 Words  | 3 Pages

    ... of treachery and, luckily, Hamlet realizes the king’s subterfuge, crushing the plot and flipping it back on him. Claudius remains steadfast in his efforts to remove Hamlet, going so far as to set up a false fencing competition and foolishly pushing the poisoned wine without considering the suspiciousness of the action. In his short-sighted and rash decision making, Claudius shows that he allows his inflated sense of regality and self-worth to cloud his judgment.

    Read More

  • This above all, to thine own self be true: Being True to Yourself

    696 Words  | 2 Pages

    Claudius is also a character who is neither true to himself nor to others: he is not being true to the rest of the kingdom. He does not want to give up his gains, so the people of Denmark do not know why their previous King has died and his brother taken over. While making an attempt to pray, he realizes that his sins cannot be forgiven.

    Read More

  • Abuse Of Power In Hamlet

    1252 Words  | 3 Pages

    [4, 1, 40] These idiosyncrasies are observed in the play when Claudius becomes concerned he will lose power as King and the likelihood Hamlet will murder him to avenge his father’s death. This is apparent when Gertrude informs Claudius that Hamlet is, “Mad as the sea and wind, when both contend which is mightier”. [4,1,6] With these thoughts daunting Claudius, he approaches Laertes in a Machiavellian manner to convince him to murder Hamlet, for he knows Laertes is angry, deranged and “Vows to the blackest devil” [4,5,131] after the death of his father. In doing so, Claudius has the intent to use Machiavellian powers over Laertes who is currently mentally unstable, with the objective being that Laertes will murder Hamlet to avenge his own father’s (Polonius) death. Claudius is able to successfully persuade Laertes in a manipulative speech, especially with his snide comment, “Not that I think you did not love your father, but that I know love is begun by time, and that I see a passage of proof.” [4,7,96] Claudius’ malicious comment indicates he is using his power over Laertes, so that the burden and repercussions do not rest on him, so that he may retain his authority as King. By utilizing his power over Laertes, Claudius is successful, as Hamlet is slain, however, as reflected in Claudius’

    Read More

  • Hamlet and Oedipus: Free Will versus Fate

    994 Words  | 2 Pages

    throne to the brother, Claudius. Throughout the play he is shown to be an intellectual and

    Read More

  • The Tragedy Of Hamlet By William Shakespeare

    1027 Words  | 3 Pages

    Claudius, the envious brother of King Hamlet, seeks the royal advantages of life and plans to gain them by killing King Hamlet. Once Hamlet’s death is completed, Claudius acquires the throne and wife that belonged to King Hamlet. The series of events that follow are all a result from Claudius’ acts.

    Read More

  • Hamlet's Reality

    1153 Words  | 3 Pages

    Claudius is a very deceptive king who tries to bend his appearance throughout the play in order to accommodate for his unfortunate reality. He is an appalling, hypocritical king incapable of running his own kingdom. Unfortunately, Claudius is able to deceive others around him, and creates an illusion of being a great king. In the novel, he is able to stop young Fortinbras from attacking Denmark; only after much pleading and supplication to Fortingbra’s uncle though. Nevertheless, Claudius knows that he is a dreadful king “and from his lips we get the true explanation, he discloses the fact that young Fortinbras has no wholesome fear and respect for him as he had for the late king” (Crawford). Furthermore, Claudius has a dishonest lifestyle that differentiates him from a true king. As the great Shakespearean scholar Alexander W. Crawford explains, “The king led the way in dissipation and debauchery” a life in which Claudius only lives to play, never to rule. Above all, deception pours from Claudius when he kills his own brother, the late King Hamlet. Up u...

    Read More

More about Looking out for number one

Open Document