\tThroughout Chapters 6 & 8, Taylor focuses on the English settlements in North America. He notes that the English crown followed the French and Spanish example of subcontracting to individual companies. The most prominent group (at least in the beginning) to undergo the exploration were a group of gentlemen known as the \u201cWest Country men,\u201d who had previously led the English conquest of Ireland. In addition to discussing the English desire to settle in the New World, Taylor explores the domestic problems that plagued England at the time. Affected by rural displacement, increasing poverty, and mounting crime, the English citizenry were even more inclined to venture out to a new colony in Virginia. In order to overcome the citizens\u2019 fear of dealing with natives to the land, the West Country promoters \u201cinsisted that the Indians of Virginia would welcome the English as their liberators\u201d (122). After a failed settlement at Roanoke that started in 1585, the English colonizers found an easier time in Chesapeake Bay in 1607 thanks to the \u201cbetter harbors, navigable rivers, and a more fertile land\u201d (125). However, the settlers still (understandably-so) faced opposition from the native Powhatan Indians\u2014named for their chief by the same name\u2014and the tension only escalated with the settlement of Jamestown. Compounded by the fact the settlers were deceived to believe that the Indians would graciously welcome their presence, the Englishmen grew frustrated. After several raids on one another, Powhatan eventually died off (presumably from natural causes, though the book does not make this explicit) and was promptly replaced by his brother Opechancanough. Following several more attacks back and forth, the English eventually captured Opechancanough, upon which \u201can angry soldier shot [him] dead\u201d (135). Moreover, \u201cdisease and war reduced the Virginia Algonquians\u201d significantly in this time period, while the emigration from England skyrocketed (136). Although the Virginia Company found a new lucrative crop in Tobacco, it was not immediately profitable enough to prevent the impatient Crown from terminating the charter and seizing control for itself, which marks \u201cthe first royal colony in the new English empire\u201d (136). With this newfound opportunity, the Crown instrumented the \u201cfounding\u201d of Maryland\u2014led by Lord Baltimore\u2014and oversaw the settlement of a successful colony. <\/p>\n
\tAt least in my opinion, the most interesting story comes in Chapter 8, in which Taylor explores the Puritans\u2019 struggle in England and subsequent settlement in New England. As noted in the post entitled \u201cInstability of Trade, Economy, and Structure,\u201d the possibility of newfound wealth in the New World was the main incentive for Europeans to leave their homes. In light of that post, the Puritans seem to make the first departure from this norm. The Puritans were equally motivated by religious reasons. Indeed, Taylor explains that the English Crown instituted the Church of England, which required all citizens to follow the same religion. He notes that \u201cfaced with the growing power of the king and his bishops, some despairing Puritans considered emigrating across the Atlantic to a New England.\u201d While he warns us that \u201cit is anachronistic for us to separate\u201d the Purtians\u2019 economic and religious incentives, Taylor does highlight that \u201cpurely economic motives, however, would have dispatched few people to cold, distant, and rocky New England\u201d (167). This emphasis on a weak economic incentive underscores the religious motive that influenced the Puritans to leave England. In the \u201cGreat Migration\u201d in the 1630s, the Massachusetts Bay Company\u2014headed by the Puritan elites\u2014colonized New England. The migration did, however, suffer from its own shortcomings, such as a lack of willing Puritan settlers. Founded on Puritan values, New England was not the wealthiest colony, but appeared to be the \u201chealthiest, the most populous, and the most egalitarian in the distribution of property\u201d (170). Within a few years, New England became both a commerce hub and a shipbuilding center in the empire. However, the Purtians\u2019 success did not last long and their influence declined in New England. In addition to their strict membership policies, the Puritans also saw public opposition to their religious stronghold on the colony. Faced with \u201cwitches\u201d and other public dissenters, Puritan New England soon declined. Additionally, Taylor argues that the Restoration \u201cterminated and discredited the short lived revolutionary regime led by English Puritans\u201d (185). Nonetheless, Taylor credits the Puritans for instilling their values into American culture, which he claims persist today. <\/p>\n
\tI find it odd that Taylor puts so much emphasis on external threats to the English settlements in Chesapeake Bay and Jamestown (i.e. Indian resistance) and then focuses on the internal problems within Puritan New England. It seems that we lack sufficient knowledge regarding the internal difficulties of Jamestown and we are never exposed to the Puritan interactions with the natives. Taylor, however, still provides quality insight into the English domestic problems. Not to jump too far ahead, but Taylor does foreshadows the revolutionary war\u2014by around 150 years\u2014when he confronts the internal problems within England, both in economic and religious terms. He additionally discusses the Crown\u2019s growing frustration with Puritan New England, which reminds us of what will be similar issues between the colonies and the King. This invaluable knowledge will help us eventually contextualize the plight of a disgruntled group of men who are subjected to English abuse\u2014an association of men who will become known as our Founding Fathers. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Throughout Chapters 6 & 8, Taylor focuses on the English settlements in North America. He notes that the English crown followed the French and Spanish example of subcontracting to individual companies. The most prominent group (at least in the beginning) to undergo the exploration were a group of gentlemen known as the \u201cWest Country men,\u201d … <\/p>\n