- Before the arrival in Massachusetts, many authority figures were fearful of what may occur after they docked because of the newfound independence that the colonists had. As a result, the Mayflower Compact was formed; it was created : "...in order to hold the tiny band together.." (Document 3A2) In Plymouth, the colonists did not have much freedom, but in New England, things were different. The Mayflower Compact ensured that rebellion would not rise.
- Although the colonists had obtained their independence and freedom, they were expected to show submission and obedience to authority figures, "... for the general good of the colony..." (Document 3A2) The government was afraid that the colonists would abuse their independence, and the colony would result to havoc, so they tried their best to avoid the worst possible outcome.
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- Religion was a big thing for the colonists.
For example, "If any man or woman...shall have or worship another God but the Lord God, he shall be put to death." (Document 3C1) The colonists were only allowed to look up to one specific God; otherwise the results would not end well. Another example of religious laws that the colonists had to follow was that they were not allowed to use the name of God in vain because the consequences of doing so would lead to death. In Document 3C1, "If any person..shall blaspheme the name of God...he shall be put to death." Many people had to be cautious of how they spoke of God because if it was interpreted wrongly by others, death was the
outcome. - Many people were wary of spiritual beings, especially witches and their dark magic. In Document 3C1, it states, "In any man or woman be a witch...has or consults with a familiar spirit, they shall be put to death." Regardless of the situation, you would die if people suspected that you were a mystical being that practiced witchcraft. Many people were cautious not to get suspected, and also wary of others around them because anyone could easily be a witch. - The laws were strict for the colonists; it was easy to be put to death if they made a wrong move. For example, if they committed murder or manslaughter, they would be sentenced to death. As well, deceit, theft, and disobedience were looked down upon within the colony; in other words, "...he shall be put to death." (Document 3C1)
Many people believe that the Boston Tea Party arose just because of the Tea Act that came into play in 1773, but in-fact, this major statement arose from two issues surrounding the British Empire in 1765. The first of the issues was that the British East India Company was at risk of going under and the Parliament was finding ways to bring it back. The second issue was that there was a continuing dispute about the extent of the Parliament’s authority. Many colonists believe that the Parliament went overboard with their power and the people were concerned about the future. Attempting to resolve these two major issues, the North Ministry only worsened the problem and produced a showdown that would eventually result in revolution.
...no loyalty to the Crown now, in future conflicts, the colonists may turn against us and become our enemy. Radical action must be taken in order to regulate their behavior. They must recognize the royal authority.
The colonists were in every right, aspect and mind, not only justified but also it was about time that they stood of and actually take action against the British. The choice of going to war with them, was the only choice that they had. All diplimatical options that they had ceased to stand a chance against the tyrant Britain. From the very beginning when the colonists felt upset against their mother country and the way that they went about the law making, up until the beginning of the war, they tried all diplimatical options that they had, by sending letters, you name it. When they didn’t work then they had no other means but to declare war.
The Mayflower Compact, signed by some of the earliest settlers of Virginia including John Carter in 1620 was an example of early self-governance in that they established a “frame such just and equall laws, ordinances, acts, constitutions and offices..for the generall good of the Colonie.” They had left Great Britain with the intention to care for themselves and govern themselves. The Mayflower Compact is one of the earliest examples of people coming together to govern themselves and take control of their future and well-being as a colony without Great Britain. Many others followed suit after them in a manner very similar.4
Although the act was not passed until November of 1765, the colonists already felt victimized by the Stamp Act and the discrimination from Great Britain. These emotions and reactions quickly followed as motivation to do something about the act. The same can be said for how the Sons of Liberty was started. Boston was the largest harbor during the colonial era. Products going to and from Britain rotate out of Boston daily.
The American colonists’ disagreements with British policymakers lead to the colonist’s belief that the policies imposed on them violated of their constitutional rights and their colonial charters. These policies that were imposed on the colonist came with outcome like established new boundaries, new internal and external taxes, unnecessary and cruel punishment, and taxation without representation. British policymakers enforcing Acts of Parliament, or policies, that ultimately lead in the colonist civil unrest, outbreak of hostilities, and the colonist prepared to declare their independence.
in colonies were uneasy by the lack of government and demanded that some form of
While on the Mayflower, the settlers came to the realization that there would be no civil authority on the new land for them to follow. Resulting from that realization was the Mayflower Compact, it was designed to be their rule and guide to life on the new land. This was the first American State Paper; it provides the original statement of the principles of American democracy as we now know it. In addition it was the first self-government within the colonies and it regarded people as the source of power. The Mayflower Compact expresses four major ideas, a deep faith in God and his guidance, a deep loyalty to England and the king, a mutual regard for one another as equals, and the intent to establish equal laws to all men. It was the birth of constitutional liberty and became the official constitution of Plymouth Colony until Plymouth merged i...
Overall, the imperial policy of the British Empire urged the colonists into a state of total rebellion. The colonial economy, geography, and politics had all been subjected to unfair consequences. The acts that were passed served as a way for England to push the responsibility its debt and issues on the colonists. If the colonists’ grievances were appealed to, the colonists may have never rebelled against their mother country.
The new acts of the Colonial Era sparked an enormous disdain between the American colonies, the British Government, and the British Parliament. The British felt that the colonists should be the ones to pay the debt for the protection of the British armies during the French and Indian War. After all, the British were the ones who rid the American soil of French troops in the first place. The colonies strongly disagreed with the British and thought that it was their natural right to go against all rules from those who held a position in power over the lands. So, the British came up with a plan of action against its relationship with the colonists and set forth new acts and new laws for the colonials to follow.
In accordance with (Document 6), the colonists had believed that the ruling of Great Britain over their colonies had lead to mistreatment, unfair judgment, and down-right misunderstanding of who owns the colonies. The colonists were treated as though they were second-hand citizens working and paying the taxes that were imposed on them by Great Britain. They misjudge the colonists and treat them like this without being able to comprehend the calamities and hardships which the colonists had to struggle through. From (Document 6), the quote ¨In every stage of these oppressions we have petitioned for redress in the most humble terms; our repeated petitions have been answered only by repeated injury. A Prince whose character is thus marked by every act which may define a tyrant is unfit to be the ruler of a free people¨ which helps to show that the colonists believe that they must stand up against Great Britain and to protest against the taxes they have imposed and the actions that lead to the colonists being treated as though they are second-hand
Most of the Pilgrims were members of the Separatist congregation that had split from the Church of England. However, some were not, and these people sought independence from the Separatists. To prevent this, Separatist leaders wrote the Compact, which was formed after the covenant that had established their Separatist faith. Each male adult signed the document. The signers agreed to follow all "just and equal" laws that the settlers enacted and to be ruled by the will of majority. Plymouth Colony did not receive an English royal charter, and so the compact determined governmental authority in the colony until it became part of the Massachusetts colony in 1691. They thought that they needed to this to survive, because they needed rules. Without this they might have ended up killing each other. People thought with this it would give equal power to the separatist and the people who was against them. Was also good because it kept mutiny contained.
The people of the colonies want representation when it comes to issues about them. Having someone else tell them what rules they have to follow without any say in the matter is what angers many colonist. The voice of the people must be heard so there is cooperating with the colonies and Great Britain. Without having cooperation the nation will have many problems and issue will not be fixed unless both sides come to an agreement.
On November 21, 1620, prior to its landing at Plymouth, Massachusetts, The Mayflower Compact was brought into existence of becoming the first framework of government written and enacted in the territory that is now the United States America. As a provisional instrument created solely by the colonists, the document did not rectify the matter of their questionable legal rights to the land they settled. The Mayflower Compact became the foundation of Plymouth’s government and remained in control. Although in practice, much of the power in Plymouth was guarded by the Pilgrim founders, the compact, with its fundamental principles of self-government and common consent, has been interpreted as an essential step in the evolution of democratic government
One reason the colonists should become an independent country is because there should be “no taxation without representation”. When the colonists first settled in north america, the king has not taxed them. They had no representation in parliament so he knew they should not get taxed. In document C it shows how the colonists were barely getting taxed at all. However when he needed money, he started passing tax acts and the colonists were not happy. He’s never taxed them before, so why start now? The king also would not give any of the colonies a position in parliament so they had no say in the laws, which was unfair for the colonists. When they tried to ask and protest peacefully they got rejected and ignored. Therefore, they had to go about the situation in a