planters – U.S. to 1877

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In this reading, Taylor emphasizes the increased politicization of the colonies and the ironic social mobility that planters experienced in Virginia at the expense of increasing popularity of using African slaves. Racial solidarity was the common theme throughout both chapters. In Virginia, the Common Planters and Great Planters forgot their differences as Great Planters adopted the customs of “condescension” in order to secure political office. In addition, after Bacon’s rebellion, white immigrants became less common in the Chesapeake, meaning that African Slaves were more utilized. Racial solidarity occurred between the Great Planters and Common Planters in order to attempt to quell a potential rebellion from the African Slaves. Taylor described the Chesapeake whites as “newly obsessed with racial difference.”

Meanwhile, in the Carolinas, something similar was happening on a racial level. The white planters attempted to pit the Indians and the African Slaves against one another; Indians were often paid to bounty hunt escaped slaves, and according to Taylor, “Ultimately, the colonists hoped to pit the Africans against the Indians.” The concept of white solidarity is important in realizing the increased exclusive “Africanization” of slavery as Indian slaves become much used.

This Taylor reading also struck me as focused on the politicization of the colonies. Although Taylor does not have too many primary-source quotes to support it, it appears as though Taylor thinks it important to note that the colonies are no longer merely religious or even religiously focused. For example, the Lords Proprietor in Carolina “assured religious tolerance” in order to attract people. This means that colonies have become more businesses than anything else. Even Georgia, which started out as an idealistic, planned colony, eventually succumbed to the economic pressure to use slavery. Taylor Simmon’s post on 9/11 about the week three readings referenced the two main focuses of chapters 7 and 11. Taylor mentions the “city on a hill” the Puritans attempted to create with their colony. This clear, religious purpose has obviously faded by the time Carolina was established. Additionally, Taylor also says that the relationship with the Indians was not a fearful one, which has also clearly changed by the contentious time period of the 1690’s.

Chapter 7 of American Colonies features Taylor’s description of the development and progression of the Chesapeake Colonies. Colonists in the Chesapeake region sacrificed their quality of life for economic success. Shorter life expectancy, limited opportunity to create a family, and strenuous work permeated the region; a cost many Englishmen willingly accepted to reap the benefits of the tobacco boom during the middle of the 17th century. However, the period of economic prosperity eventually subsided, and political inaptitude resulted in unrest. Essentially, the majority of leaders lacked the experience or qualities to lead, and an imbalanced and corrupt society caused a discontented society. In addition, Governor Berkeley basically controlled trade, policy, and land distribution, and exploited his power with favoritism.

Bacon’s Rebellion in 1676 aptly demonstrated the societal issues. Disputes over the distribution of land and the permission to invade native peoples’ lands led to the major conflict. While Bacon and the rebellion died fairly quickly, distinct changes followed, including the removal of Berkeley from office.

Notable differences occurred following the rebellion in an effort to satisfy the commoners. Changes in policies regarding taxes, native peoples, and land distribution all appeased the common planter. Another noteworthy transition occurred in labor. A decline in white indentured servants due to the impact of Bacon’s Rebellion led to planters looking to Africa for laborers. The dramatic influx of African slaves resulted in a fear of revolt among whites. This fear unfortunately caused severe restrictions to be placed on slaves, and a shared identity and mindset among all whites. This shared identity masked the growing economic inequality between the great and common planters.

The Carolina colonies Taylor depicted differed from the other colonies due to its large land grants, Indian relations, and slave quantity. The massive amount of land offered attracted an elite more dignified than its Chesapeake counterpart. The elite men lived luxurious lives and took pride in expressing their fortune with grace and dignity. The achievement of such success directly resulted from mastering the exploitation of other peoples, namely the African slaves and Indians. Carolina planters amassed an unparalleled amount of African slaves and incredibly secured such a dramatic population imbalance by manipulating the surrounding native peoples through trade. Essentially the colonists offered arms to the natives in return for deerskins and slave capturing. When it became apparent that deerskin trade did not provide a stable economic base, planters turned to the cash crops of rice and indigo. These crops relied upon a steady dose of slave labor, which the planters ensured through severe repression.

I found Taylor’s descriptions of the dynamic change of the Chesapeake colonies and the exploitation carried out by Carolina planters very interesting. I think Taylor successfully portrayed the attitudes and desired appearances of the colonists. However, I did notice a lack of attention paid to the sentiments African slaves and native peoples, especially considering the immense roles both played in the Carolinas.

Tag: planters

American Colonies (ch 7 & 11)

Chesapeake and Carolina – Late 17th and Early 18th Centuries