Colonial Unity and Identity free essay sample

By the Revolution, colonists had established an extent of identity and unity due to salutary neglect, communication, and incongruous beliefs. The time period from settler’s arrival at Jamestown in 1607 to the French Indian War is known as salutary neglect. England’s loose hold on the colonies allowed for the colonies to flourish economically and socially. Navigation laws created in 1696 and mercantilist policies were not strictly enforced the colonists were able to work their economy and trade with little interference. A world wide demand for North American crops such as tobacco led to economic self-sufficiency, shown by a shift from imports of necessities to more lavish goods in the 1720s. Available land, economic opportunities, and no titled nobility gave paupers hope unseen in England. Europe’s undesirables flocked from all over Europe blending into the colorful population of the New World. By 1770, only half the population was from England. During these first nearly 200 years of laxity, colonists established cities such as Philadelphia, Boston, or Charleston; Colleges like Harvard and Yale. We will write a custom essay sample on Colonial Unity and Identity or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page England allowed for colonial New England created the Congregational Church and the Puritan Way. At the end of the Sevens’ years war, salutary neglect came to an end but colonial a collective colonial identity had established and would only increase in years towards the revolution. Communication both unified and distanced the colonies. The speed of a ships and horse was the fastest news could travel. The immense size of the east coast staggered the development of unity amongst the colonies. Many settlers never left their colony and felt more connection to England then another colonial region. Many attempts to unite the colonies were ill-fated. Benjamin Franklins Albany congress of 1754 purposed a plan for . Georgia, then most southern colony, fails to appear at almost every attempt at union until the revolution time Committees of Correspondence. But word still spread amongst the colonies, especially when it was the word of the Bible. The Great Awakening began in the 1730’s by Jonathan Edwards and spread by George Whitefield. The emotional appeal to religion was the first social movement that affected all 13 colonies. The American experience of the â€Å"new light† preachers further developed a unified identity. The polar views of colonists and England identify them as different. The colonists’ action towards these differences is what shows their potential in coming together as one. After the French Indian War, colonial and British beliefs clash. The Colonies are angered by Parliaments attempts to taxes the colonies to raise revenue and prevent settlement past the Appalachian are unjust. After the tyrannical Stamp Act, 9 delegates draw up grievances to the king and begin boycotting British goods at the Stamp Act Congress. Further political organization such as Samuel Adams Sons and Daughters of Liberty, and the Boston Tea Party in December of 1773 show the beginnings of unity. Colonists have established a certain way of life, or identity that the government begins disrupting and colonists successfully boycott and protest to repeal. But only 1/3 of colonists unify as patriots, most of which are New Englanders. Royal southern colonies feel a closer tie to England and many remain loyal. Sectionalism kept colonies from developing a total unity.