Essay: Compare & contrast Chesapeake area, New England and Pennsylvania

Compare and contrast the government, religion, geography, and economy of the three English colonial regions (the Chesapeake area, New England, and Pennsylvania). Be sure to consider the role of race, gender, and ethnicity.
1. During the seventeenth century, European nations began to rapidly colonize the North American continent. England in particular had developed three regions,  Chesapeake,  New England and Pennsylvania. Although the colonial regions were owned by England they had very different identities. The Chesapeake area is described as “Dismal” and “Disease ridden”. The living conditions were very poor. Food was scarce and immigrants lived in huts and shanties. The production of tobacco predominantly fueled the  Chesapeake economy and required large amounts of land. New England’s intention however was to establish communities of Pure Christians. Their economy relied upon agriculture,fishing and trading beaver furs. Unlike the Chesapeake region, New England did not exploit laborers and were religiously motivated to colonize. Slavery and indentured servants existed in the Chesapeake region and women were often victims of sexual abuse. Both Pennsylvania and New England had similar economies and were driven by religious freedom. The role of women were vastly different , they played a vital role, as a wife, mother, and housekeeper. A common theme experienced by all colonies was the confrontation between the Colonists and Native Americans over land.
Chapter 4:
In what significant ways did the Great Awakening transform American life and thought?
The Great Awakening affected the colonies by changing many people’s negative attitude towards religion.  Prior to this movement , interest in religion had been declining  in the colonies.  The Great Awakening reversed this process and had a positive influence on people’s view of religion. In addition,  the Great Awakening is credited with helping to pave the way for the American Revolution.  The Great Awakening encouraged people to think about religion for themselves.  It lead them towards free and creative thinking which ultimately helped Colonists realize that religious power resided in their own hands, rather than in the hands of the Church of England.
Chapter 5
1.What trends, events and beliefs allowed the English colonies to believe they should control their own economic, political and religious destiny?
North American colonies, were controlled by England and  were made up of British immigrants.Due to the lack of leadership by England, the  colonists set up their own governments to organize their colonies and keep order and peace. In addition, because of the gap between the two continents, the colonies were also free from economic support from the British. Even though England still controlled the colonies and its citizens, the colonies ended up controlling their own economic, political and religious destinies. This created a separation between Britain and its colonies since other North American colonies also followed  the government, creating a strong divide between the British and Colonial governments. Also, many immigrants came to North America in order to escape religious persecution and were not willing to have Britain control these aspects of their life. Because their were different types of beliefs and faiths in the colonies Britain had no chance at attempting to control the colonist’s religious destiny. In addition, the Colonists  didn’t like the idea of the British taking out of their profits and controlling who they could trade with.
2. In what ways was the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) a turning point for England and the colonists?
The Seven Years War in North America and many other places throughout the world, was the most significant war fought on North American soil. Many aspects of North America had been changed by the war, the most important result of the French and Indian War was how the bond between Britain and the colonies had been altered. When the French and Indian War broke out between the French and the English, the colonists became heavily involved in battles and built supplies for the British armies. During the war, the British forced the colonies to provide food, clothing, and shelter for their troops. Also, the war placed a major debt  on England, who were unable to pay a large sum of money. As a result, heavy taxes were placed on colonists on items like paper and sugar, which angered colonists further. They were enraged that Britain were forcing them to make supplies for them  and pay high taxes. The colonies united for the first time against a common foe.
Chapter 6:
Analyze how the American people made the shift from separating from an imperial system to creation of a republican form of government.
The American Revolution was a rebellion against the British Empire. Colonists were beyond upset because of the high taxes and the authoritative rule of the British. In Thomas Paine’s, “ Common Sense”  The British monarch  was  portrayed as a tyrants  and ruthless leaders. Paine’s “Common Sense” made people realize that independence could be wrestled from England. As the American People moved from being controlled to independence, they struggled to established their identity as a free and separate nation. It was in state politics that Americans transformed “ the political meaning of the Revolution” .Rather than create new systems of government, the colonies deleted all references to the British Crown. Through trial and error, the revolution created a written constitution that embodies the people’s will.
Assess the effect of the American Revolution on slaves, Native Americans, and women.
The Revolution had a negative  effect on slavery.In the South, the Revolution halted slavery, but ultimately white Southerners succeeded in strengthening the institution. The Revolution also inspired African-American resistance against slavery. In addition ,The Revolutionary War affected women by placing them in nontraditional roles. As men went off to war, it left women to fill the jobs typically fulfilled by men.As women filled important roles, the thought that women were inferior to men began to change. The laws before the war did not recognize women as equal to men in areas  like economics, politics and civil rights. The war changed this, however, and women across America began campaigning  for their rights. This was a turning point for the country as it paved the way for equality of the sexes. Native Americans however sided with the Americans, but a majority supported the British. The crown promised to protect native lands from  American settlers. Many Native Americans were forced into the American colonies
animosity toward them increased.
 
Chapter 7
Explain why the Articles of Confederation were considered too weak for the fledgling republic. Be sure to explain specific events that exemplified these weaknesses.
The Articles of the confederation were written when America was undergoing a revolution.The revolution was one of the most significant parts of the US history that called the need for replacing the British reign.The Articles of the confederation were initially proposed in 1777 by 2nd congress.The Articles had one major mistake, which was to place the leadership in the state as opposed to the people. One of the Main weaknesses of the Confederation articles included a major disorganization in leadership. Congress denied the power to regulate trade and  was unable to regulate the value of currency. In addition Congress was unable to enforce taxation laws which as a result left the Colonies in a staggering amount of debt. Congress did not have the power to control  commerce or stop states from printing their own money, causing economic chaos within the U.S. The Articles did not give Congress the power to place tariffs on foreign goods, hurting American businesses that could not compete with cheaper British goods. The U.S. government had no leader so there was no one to enforce the laws that were passed.   Shays’s Rebellion  and the Whiskey Rebellion made the  U.S. realize that the  Articles were not working which led to the new U.S. Constitution was written.
2.   Describe how the roots of the main provisions of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights are in the colonial experience under English rule as well as in the Articles of Confederation period.
The main provisions  of the Constitution and the Bill of rights consisted of a democratic government, in which there are  elected representatives.  The colonists strongly believed that were capable of leading themselves without the British. Each colony had its own government, but the British king controlled these governments. By the 1770s, many colonists were angry because they did not have self-government. This meant that they could not govern themselves and make their own laws. They had to pay high taxes to the king. They felt that they were paying taxes to a government where they had no representation. They were also angry because the colonists were forced to let British soldiers sleep and eat in their homes.
In 1774, leaders from the colonies met in Philadelphia to discuss British laws that they believed were unfair. They believed that Great Britain did not treat the colonists as equal citizens. They thought the people needed more  control over their government.