Shaping Colonial America Essay - 887 Words

Many different things affected the shaping of colonial America in the new world. Factors such as colonialism, geography, and religion affected the way North America was formed and dictated how other people look at colonial America. Colonialism affected America’s demographic and also the ease of forming colonies in the new world. Geography also played a roll in shaping the identity of America. Geography affected where people settled based on the layout of rivers, ocean, and waterways. People also settled in places where they could grow crops. Geography also attracted colonists. Finally, religion affected the forming of colonial America. People were driven from England because of religion. Also, religion affected where people settled down.†¦show more content†¦Boston, which at that time was called Shawmut, was settled on a peninsula that jutted out into the bay. People also settled along water for military reasons. Take for example, Jamestown, Virginia, which was settle d some 60 miles up the James River, on a peninsula. Here there was a good view up and down the river, which made it easy to defend attacks by land or water. New Amsterdam, which is present day New York, was another colony that settled on the waterfront for military reasons. New Amsterdam settled on a island, which is present day Manhattan, with a good view in all directions. This made it easy to defend. Even more colonies were settled along water in colonial America. In the 17th century, several European countries founded settlements along the St. Lawrence River. The waterways were also a major reason why France and England originally came to North America. Two dreams originally attracted France and England to North America; kingdoms rich with gold, and a water route to Asia. All in all, rivers and oceans played a major role in the settling of America. Without them, the United States would look much different today. The ability to grow crops also helped shape the identity of America. The crops in America were able to feed large numbers of people, which attracted colonists. (Eventually, these crops were introduced worldwide, which was part of the reason the world’s population quadrupled in the next three hundred years.)Show MoreRelatedOver The Years Many Historians Have Just Glazed Over The1237 Words   |  5 PagesOver the years many historians have just glazed over the African’s role in the settlement and shaping of the colonial era of America. The Africans are usually only identified as the primary enslaved labor force used to settle the colonies, but not much more is said about the details of how the Africans shaped the colonies. Many individuals only read or hear about major events such as the Stono Rebellion, when the first slaves arrived, or how slaves were treated. When settlers in Barbados began toRead More Capitalism Was Behind American Colonization of Puerto Rico Essay15 59 Words   |  7 Pagesdeclared their independence, because the weight of Great Britain’s colonial restrictions proved to be too burdensome. The Constitution was signed shortly thereafter to protect American citizen’s rights from being abridged in the future. America was created as a direct response to the harmful nature of colonialism, however it soon forgot its idealistic birth. Freedom for all became a free for all, under America’s capitalistic system. When America was confronted with the question of what it should do withRead MoreComparing Colonial Virginia and Colonial New Englands Effect on American Character 651 Words   |  3 PagesI believe colonial New England had more of an effect on the American character than Virginia for several reasons. 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History During The Colonial Period928 Words   |  4 PagesOne of the most significant events in U.S. history during the late colonial period was the Boston Tea Party. After the Boston Massacre in spring of 1770, all of the Townshend acts had been repealed except the tea tax, and tensions went down, for the most part, between the colonists and the British. Two years later, however, the Gaspee incident and consequent formation of the Committee of Correspondence brought the tension back, to an alarming degree. Then in 1773, when Lord North tried to help theRead MoreEssay on The Making of America1371 Words   |  6 PagesThroughout the colonial period, what were the factors that hindered or promoted a sense of national identity? At what point did nationalism become a major influence and why? The making of America; many factors that promoted the national identity began with the very first colonist that came to North America. In our primary text, it describes around the late 17th century the British Government established a board to govern the trade of the kingdom. Its purpose was to manage the colonies andRead MoreTransforming Late 18th and Early 19th Century America1265 Words   |  6 Pages10, 2011 Republicans: Transforming Late 18th and Early 19th Century America Many different forms of government can be put into place that will dramatically influence the culture and lifestyle of a particular society. The influence of republicans was significant in helping to shape colonial America. Republicans grew and helped to transform colonial America exponentially in the years 1764 through 1812. In present-day America one simply views a republican as a member of a political party. In contrast