From Thomas Harriot’s A Briefe and True Report of the New Found Land of Virginia Harriot’s assumption that the English are vulnerable to such exploitations of religious belief are comparable to the vulnerable characteristics of the Algonkians. Compared to the Algonkians, the hold over the English is much less material based but rather spiritual and as a result confides the English to a corner, comparing their holy desires to that of the fantasized Algonkians. Delving upon the topic of England versus America, Harriot’s elaboration on both are vivid, resulting in equal perspectives on both sides of the pond. Harriot’s constant references to England’s colonization of America and the Algonkians was a large part of the text and as he often did, hinted that while the Algonkians were people of culture, they were terribly naive and “if means of good government be used, that they may in short time be brought to civility and …show more content…
From his entries Harriot gives examples of the Algonkians’ habits of war from “sudden surprising one[s] an other most commonly about the dawning of the day or moone-light…” (120) and little else concerning the actual life of the Algonkians. Though vague and somewhat insignificant the evidence provided by Thomas Harriot in his journal suggests that for the study of colonial America the Algonkians are very much an essential part of why settlers were so successful in establishing a long term thriving colony. Despite this, the mention of real first person accounts of Algonkians fall far short of the finish line. With multiple opportunities given to Harriot, he ultimately failed much like any other explorer seeking instead to find economic advantage and political opportunities rather than document true facts regarding the people he used to boost himself
Written sometime after A People’s History of the United States, the play on words might indicate the authors’ intent to refute the biased nature of the older book, and redeem the major players. Chapter one begins covering the year 1492-1707 with the age of European discovery. Schweikart and Allen focus of the catchy phrase “God, glory, and gold” as the central motives for exploration, emphasizing the desire to bring the Gospel to the New World. They paint native settlers as “thieves” and “bloodthirsty killers who pillage for pleasure” (Allen 1). The narrative continues, discussing the explorers from Portugal and Spain and their contact with the Arabs and Africans. The authors quote Columbus as saying “[he] hoped to convert them ‘to our Holy Faith by love rather than by force’” (4) a contrary portrayal to that in A People’s History of the United States. The authors continue on to discuss the French and English and the foundations for success in the New World; how people lived in the Colonial South. They write about the physical labor, the natural resources, and the food. Schweikart and Allen enlighten the readers about early slavery, the start of the House of Burgesses, the founding of Plymouth, Massachusetts, the Pequot Indian War, the English Civil War, Bacon’s Rebellion, Pennsylvania’s settlement, and the
In “A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson,” Mary Rowlandson, a Puritan mother from Lancaster, Massachusetts, recounts the invasion of her town by Indians in 1676 during “King Philip’s War,” when the Indians attempted to regain their tribal lands. She describes the period of time where she is held under captivity by the Indians, and the dire circumstances under which she lives. During these terrible weeks, Mary Rowlandson deals with the death of her youngest child, the absence of her Christian family and friends, the terrible conditions that she must survive, and her struggle to maintain her faith in God. She also learns how to cope with the Indians amongst whom she lives, which causes her attitude towards them to undergo several changes. At first, she is utterly appalled by their lifestyle and actions, but as time passes she grows dependent upon them, and by the end of her captivity, she almost admires their ability to survive the harshest times with a very minimal amount of possessions and resources. Despite her growing awe of the Indian lifestyle, her attitude towards them always maintains a view that they are the “enemy.”
This chapter, “Three Old Worlds Create a New, 1492 – 1600,” covers the social, political and economic events that occurred in the worlds that made up America between 1492 and 1600. This chapter explores the history of the small societies that became the United States in broad contest of European exploration and exploitation. There existed conflicts between European kingdoms and this led to interest in colonies that strengthened the emerging nations. The curiosity of Europeans helped introduce them to African and American societies that had evolved over the centuries. The social and cultural collisions of these worlds changed and profoundly influenced Western history.
A Declaration in 1622 is a piece of history that will forever be debated. It was written by Edward Waterhouse who was a prominent Virginia official. In a Declaration in 1622, he describes his first-hand accounts of English genocide and the relationship between the Powhatan and settlers. The point of this paper is to claim that Waterhouse’s portrayal is realistic due to his factual perspective of the time period on the contrasting aspects of the Powhatan and settlers. Diving into Edwards historical accounts can show the hardships of the settlers, the varying characteristics of both groups, the importance of tobacco, and the demonization of Native Americans. The characteristics will conclude the factually sound delineation of Edward Waterhouse.
Religion was the foundation of the early Colonial American Puritan writings. Many of the early settlements were comprised of men and women who fled Europe in the face of persecution to come to a new land and worship according to their own will. Their beliefs were stalwartly rooted in the fact that God should be involved with all facets of their lives and constantly worshiped. These Puritans writings focused on their religious foundations related to their exodus from Europe and religions role in their life on the new continent. Their literature helped to proselytize the message of God and focused on hard work and strict adherence to religious principles, thus avoiding eternal damnation. These main themes are evident in the writings of Jonathan Edwards, Cotton Mathers, and John Winthrop. This paper will explore the writings of these three men and how their religious views shaped their literary works, styles, and their historical and political views.
The Sovereignty and Goodness of God is a primary source document written in the 17th century, by a well-respected, Puritan woman. This book, written in cahoots with Cotton and Increase Mather, puritan ministers, tells the story of her capture by Indians during King Phillip’s War (1675-1676). For three months, Mary Rowlandson, daughter of a rich landowner, mother of three children, wife of a minister, and a pillar of her community lived among “savage” Indians. This document is important for several reasons. First, it gives us insight into the attitudes, extremes, personalities and “norms” of the Puritan people we learn about in terms of their beliefs, and John Calvin’s “house on a hill”. Beyond that, despite the inevitable exaggerations, this book gives us insight into Indian communities, and how they were run and operated during this time.
The essay, “World of Wonder in the Northern Colonies,” by David D. Hill, is an essay reflecting on the colonial perspective through a religious mindset and gives a look into the origins of American thought which makes it more insightful about the lives of the first colonists than “Worlds of Goods in the Northern Colonies,” by T. H. Breen. According to David D. Hall, “The People of seventeenth-century New England lived in an enchanted universe. Theirs was a world of wonders.”1 For early New England colonists in the seventeenth century, the world was a place of wonders wherein God’s providence led them on a narrow path, and wicked forces threatened them at every turn.
Works Cited Faulker, William. The. American Studies at The University of Virginia. 1 April 1997. Online.
The English settlers of Connecticut and the Pequots fought what is now known as the Pequot Wars. One of the two commanders for the Englishmen was Captain John Underhill. After the war, he soon published his account of the hostilities between the Pequots and the English settlers, titled News from America. Another account of the war is made by William Bradford, a colonial leader of Plymouth, and can be found in History of Plymouth Plantation. One of the issues often discussed of the Pequot War is the level of violence that the English used against the Pequots, especially in the attack against their village, led by Captain Underhill and Captain John Mason. While both Underhill and Bradford describe the events similarly, Bradford fails to raise or answer the question of violence against the Pequots, while Captain Underhill raises the issue and attempts to answer to the charge.
Taylor, Alan American Colonies: The Settling of North America, New York, NY: Penguin Group, 2001. pg. 1685-1730
Giovanni Stradano’s engraving, Amerigo Vespucci awakening “America”, is embedded with many examples of colonial discourse. It illustrates many myths including the myth of racism and conquest. How Tasty was my Little Frenchman and America Before Columbus both explore the myths of racism and conquest.
In “ A Description of New England ”, Smith starts by describing the pleasure and content that risking your life for getting your own piece of land brings to men. On the other hand, Bradford reminds us how harsh and difficult the trip to the New World was for the p...
In many works of literature, readers are able to explore the relationship and possession between Americans and land. Stephen Ambrose, John O’Sullivan, and John Gast all display accurate examples of this. The feelings between American settlers and has for undiscovered land are often unfolded in history.
Parrillo’s primary argument is that cultural homogenization had begun to rise during and after the Revolutionary war when cultural differences were put aside in the fight for independence. Intermingling of ethnic groups during the war was a crucial first step in the development of true American common culture and political tradition. The following step, to building an American identity, was to leave behind the Old World political and cultural values. Once the New World was able to sever ties with the Old World, the new nation was able to develop a surge of national pride and success in areas such as art, language usage, and religious authority. The independent nation bonded and was able to shape into a unique community with some distinctively
In “A Description of New England,” John Smith documents his time in New England while trying to persuade several audiences to travel or to fund a third expedition to the New World with him as a leader. More specifically, Smith uses certain details to entice readers of two vastly different audiences: the poor and idle, the rich and generous, and evangelists. Smith’s main motive for writing “A Description of New England” is to persuade others to allow him to have a chance to go back to the New World as a leader, since he was previously unsuccessful. Smith’s use of exaggeration further convinces his various audiences that he can easily help them gain fortune from the New World.