This essay aims to critically evaluate the demography, economies, and politics of Northern America from 1500 to 1700. In this time the commercial activities was just a small scale and were controlled by the owners.
Most of the settlements did not depend on trade since the production was on a small scale. Therefore, England did not depend on the British for trade in the meantime. Most settlements were created by complete family groups. Most of the families owned the land that they used to settle on, as well as farming. They used English Common Law as their basic code of law, although French, Dutch, and Germans did not use it. However, they established their own elected governments as well as courts, and within a few years, they became self-governing and self-supporting (Kalyvas, 2018). Later on, the United States was settled by immigrants from other states.
The New England colonists involved many educated men as well as skilled farmers, traders and craftsmen. All these were not only farmers but also engaged in religious activities. Furthermore, fisheries and shipbuilding techniques were mainly done in coastal regions. The climate in New England now favoured the production, and there was an abundant supply of food. This favoured the health of the people in England, leading to an increase in their population. The population kept on increasing as more settlers continued arriving in the middle colonies in the 1680s.
Economy in North America in 1500-1700
In the meantime, North America held the economic potential, forming a great English commercial empire. This was due to the English colonisations, which opened new markets at that time, such as markets for woollen clothes. There was also a favourable climate that favoured agricultural products, and English people could obtain many products at a cheap price.
Politics in North America in 1500-1700
Due to the diversity and transition, colonial government and politics were not static. Later, in 1865, there was centralization. This was aimed at centralizing all the colonies in what was the so-called Dominion of New England. The Duke of York, who became King James II in 1685, wanted to unite all Northern colonies to gain control over their governmental structures (Mikulaschek, 2018).
In this colonial period, People had good relations, especially in New England. The reason behind it was that New England farmers could trade with the Native population. Therefore, if it were for me, I would have settled in New England due to its good relations with immigrants and its favourable climate that favoured production in New England.
References
Kalyvas, S. N. (2018). Civil wars. In The Oxford handbook of comparative politics.
Mikulaschek, C., & Shapiro, J. N. (2018). Lessons on Political Violence from America’s Post–9/11 Wars. Journal of Conflict Resolution, 62(1), 174-202.
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