Southern Colonies

Southern Colonies

England established colonies in North America between the 17^th and 18^th Centuries. The southern settlements that turned English colonies include Maryland Province, Virginia North and South Carolina and Georgia Province.  The foundation of Southern Colonies was based on a need for competition with other European powers, especially in matters related to wealth, land and clothing (Quinn, 126). It is easy to note the successive changes in southern colonies as the white settlers pitched camps as early as 17^th century.

North and South Carolina

John Locke and Shaftesbury chartered the province in 1608. The two noblemen devised an intricate plan to establish a government, given that there were new arrivals to Colony. Fundamental Constitutions of Carolina ensured stability in the Colony through allotment of political status as per the wealth of arriving settlers. However, the constitution proved ineffective as settlers could not see the need to follow orders handed down by the Council. Regardless, there was a large export industry in the Colony by 1680s. The industry specialized on tobacco, pitch, and lumber. The success in the tobacco industry is attributable to the use of slaves in  farms owned by wealthy settlers.

Maryland

            King Charles 1 gave George Calvert a charter for the foundation of Maryland in the year 1632. Calvert was from a wealthy catholic family. He was a first individual-- rather than a group of people--to receive a massive land grant from the royalty.  Calvert’s initial plan for the Colony involved a conception of a haven for wealthy English Catholics. In addition, he intended to establish an agrarian manorial society or noblemen—tenants were to work on fields and do other subordinate chores.  The plan was not to be:  Protestants moved in due to the cheap land prices. Within a short timeframe, the Protestants became the majority in Maryland, resulting in a religious tension.

            Calvert passed 1942 Maryland Toleration Act to quell the situation. The act allowed for freedom of worship though it did little to bring peace. During the early 1650s, Maryland protesters enacted laws that barred Catholics from participating in the voting process (Andrews, 42). Eventually, the toleration act was repealed until Calvert’s retake of the Colony in 1658.

Virginia

In the 16^th century, Virginia existed briefly.  The Colony existed continually from 1607 to the era of American Revolution. Virginia Colony grew tremendously as other Southern Colonies were being established.  Near the coastal area, the settlers were wealthy tobacco planters and their slaves. As a result, new settlers were forced to push inland.

Image 1: Slaves in a Southern Tobacco Plantation

This picture represents working slave pollution with strict supervision from a white settler. Slavery became a major part of the southern society because the economic activity was farming, hence the need for farm workers (Craven, 76). 

Puritans

Puritans refer to a group of 16^th and 17^th centuries Reformed English Protestants. Their main aim was Church of England purification from practices of Roman Catholicism (Bonomi, 108).  Thousands of English Puritans established settlements in New England and other parts of North America during  the 17^th century.  While Puritans pushed for reforms in protestant churches in North America, most of them were against congregations set-up outside the Church of England. In 1620-1629, Puritan Colonies of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay were established. A keen observation unearths a striking similarity in Puritan American colonies necessitated by religion and diversification from English royal leadership.

The settlers of Plymouth and Massachusetts Bay colonies were mostly of Puritan descent. Consequently, a clique of leadership dominated its governance. In turn, Puritan religious leaders strongly influenced politics of the colonies. While it is true that the Colonies’ governors held elective positions, the constitution allowed only freemen to vote. Besides, the freemen voters were examined thoroughly with regards to their religious views. For freemen to become eligible voters, they ought to be staunch members of a Puritan Church and to demonstrate absolute leadership in their houses.  The leadership of Plymouth and Puritan Colonies exhibited intolerance to some religious views that included Quaker, Baptist, and Anglican theologies.

During the early years of colonies' existence, colonists exhibited a decent relationship with the local native populations. However, there were instances when frictions could arise due to the evident cultural and historical differences. Frictions were amplified when the Dutch Colony penetrated the Puritan Colonies.  Thus, a war with the natives was imminent and it resulted in multiple Native American deaths in southern New England. Other indigenous people were pacified or driven away (Sweet, 32).

 

Image 2: Puritans in Massachusetts

Image 2 above shows puritans as they worship in Massachusetts. They were deeply religious people, evidenced by their close-knit fellowship and strong religious views and beliefs. They were determined to reform the protestant churches established in the new colonies because the members clinched to the old doctrines of Catholicism, threatening Protestant churches’ existence.

Impact of Puritans on America

As the 17^th century ended, Puritan’s role in American politics had waned. However, their ethics and attitudes continued to influence the American people. Puritans’ virtue of qualities ensures America’s economic success. Some of these vital qualities include self-reliance, industry and frugality—they still wield an influence on modern economic and social life.  Puritans were concerned about education. Their idea of democracy in the church is adopted in the modern governance of the United States.

Comparison of Puritans and Quakers

Quakers and Puritans placed crucial roles in colonization of North America. The two religious groups departed England for new colonies in America with an aim of establishing societies that religion can be practiced with absolute freedom.  In 17^th and 18^th centuries, the Church of England conducted hierarchical and ritualistic practices—Quakers and Puritans disliked them.  They laid emphasis on simplicity in worship and lifestyle. However, there were striking differences in beliefs between the two groups. It is not surprising that Quakers and Puritans differed in opinions despite their diversification from mainstream religion and political views.  

Quakers were sufferers of persecution in England. They set out to the ‘New Lands’ to seek and establish a religious refuge. Like Puritans (Church of England’s religious dissenters), they were targets of political persecution (Jones, 7). However, Quakers were devoted pacifists. They refrained from participation in wars and won’t submit taxes for military purposes.

Unlike Puritans, Quakers believed in absolute equality. As such, the colonies they established in Pennsylvania did not bow down to English nobles.  In fact, the king could not be accorded a tipped hat courtesy. 

Pennsylvania Colony Quakers set up an extremely liberal 17^th Century government structure. Freedom of religion and association was granted to all. Besides, there was no tax to support the church.  Unlike Puritans that had distorted relationship with native populations, Quakers insisted on the establishment of a working relationship with American natives. Quakers ensured gender equality in church and political scenes--nowhere else in the colonial America were women allowed to be active participants in religious and political meetings.

Religious beliefs played a critical role in the success of both colonies. Pennsylvania, for instance, benefited from the vision of its religious leader and founder. Because of the good publicity it received in Europe, skilled European workforce, farmers and artisans came in droves.

Image 3: Quakers with Natives in Pennsylvania

The image portrays Quakers’ warm relationship with the native population. Their equality policy and the need to refrain from war ensured liberty and freedom of association among the Native Americans and the white settlers in the region (Tolles, 241). It should be noted that Quakers were persecuted in England. Hence, they understood the pain and suffering inflicted on Natives. They opted for a different governance and political leadership strategy that involved an integration of locals to a modern society through  education.

Spanish Missions in California

            California Spanish missions entail series of military and religious outposts. Catholic priests established religious outposts as per the Franciscan order (between 1770 and 1834).  The main aim of the Spanish missions in California was to spread Christianity (especially Catholicism) among the Native American population. It was an initial European bid to colonize the Pacific Coast—mostly western America’s Spanish claims (Jackson et al., 173). Though Spanish missions introduced western culture to California, it is ironic that some settler’s greed objected virtues that formed the pillars of an advanced civilization.

            The Spanish settlers in California introduced European vegetables, horses, and fruits. In addition, Spanish settlers are credited for introduction of technology and ranching to the region of Alta California. On the other hand, there were serious negative consequences of Spanish settlement in California. The colonization wielded a deadly blow to the locals that came in contact with the Spanish settlers diminishing their numbers by the millions.  The Mexican government secularized the missions in early 1830s leading to divisions of land holdings to land grants.

The missions in California had mixed results.  Some of the objectives involved conversion, education and civilization of indigenous people (Hallenbeck, 16). However, the some objectives were hijacked by personal greed and discrimination of Native Americans. Like most British colonies, the Spanish settlers sought to expand their settlement through brutal means like driving out the locals and declaring wars to those that resisted their policies.

In a sharp contrast with British colonies, Spanish missions were themed on imposing catholic doctrines to the locals.  The Roman Catholic Church, for example, aimed at converting Native Americans to Christianity. On the other hand, most British Missionaries were protestants. They despised the ritualistic nature of Catholicism and the impact it had for colonies’ future. In fact, the British were determined in ensuring democratic rule as opposed to nobility (Stott et al., 759).

In American history today, California has gradually transformed from its past. Their inclusions as a part of the United States have led to the overshadowing of its dark past and success in liberalism and democracy. In fact, it is hard to distinguish California from any other region of the United States. However, the path to reforms and democracy has not been easy. California’s policy makers have had a hard time in shedding the oppressive doctrines introduced by pioneer Spanish missionaries.

Image 4: Spanish Missions in California: Notice the Cattle, horses, Cart Technology and Catholicism. Most Scholars credit Spaniards for their introduction in America.

The image above captures activities of early Spanish missionaries in California. Their core aim was an establishment of a religious society (evidenced by the Catholic Church). In addition, they introduced technologies including a bull cart that ensured efficiency in transport.

                                                                                                        

Works Cited

Andrews, Charles McLean. "Colonial Period of American History." (1934): 42-56. Print.

Bonomi, Patricia U. Under The Scope of Heaven: Religion, Society, and Politics in Colonial America. Oxford University Press, 2003: 94-121. Electronic.

Craven, Avery. Soil exhaustion as a factor in the agricultural history of Virginia and Maryland, 1606-1860. Univ of South Carolina Press. ( 2006): 44-162. Print.

Hallenbeck, Cleve. Spanish Missions of the Old Southwest. Doubleday, Page, and Company. (1926): 14-66. Electronic.

Jackson, Robert Howard, Edward Castillo, and Edward D. Castillo. Indians, Franciscans, and Spanish colonization: the impact of the mission system on California Indians. UNM Press (1996). 1-342. Print.

Jones, Rufus M. The Quakers in the American Colonies. Kessinger Publishing, 2006.

Quinn, David B. England and the discovery of America, 1481-1620: from the Bristol voyages of the fifteenth century to the pilgrim settlement at Plymouth: the exploration, exploitation, and trial-and-error colonization of North America by the English. AA Knopf (1974): 1-237. Electronic.

Stott, Philip, Scott Mensing, and Roger Byrne. "Pre‐mission invasion of erodium cicutarium in California." Journal of Biogeography 25.4 (1998): 757-762.Print.

Sweet, William Warren. Religion in Colonial America. Cooper Square Publishers, 1965: 1-172. Print.

Tolles, Frederick Barnes. Meeting House and Counting House: The Quaker Merchants of Colonial Philadelphia, 1682-1763. No. 211. Institute of Early American History and Culture at Williamsburg, Va. (1948): 241-303. Electronic