1763: A Unique American Society

The thirteen British colonies developed a unique American society by 1763 as a result of numerous socioeconomic and political factors. From sculpting an economy that worked for the colonies’ individual interests, crafting a government that reflected the radical ideal of self-governance, and eventually building a religiously free environment, the thirteen colonies were products of their environment, generation, and geographic circumstances.
The thirteen colonies’ ability to develop a unique American society was largely in thanks to the shift from a mercantilist system to a capitalistic economy. Since its earliest days, the colonies were initially founded with the intent of producing profits for a greater entity—whether that be for the collective economic growth of Great Britain, or more specifically for the stockholders of the Virginia Company. Intercontinental distance, however, quickly disengaged both the …show more content…
The Maryland Toleration Act of 1649 guaranteed toleration to all Christian denominations. Despite its hostility to non-Christian religions, it was revolutionary during a time where religious homogeneity was accepted as a cultural norm. Though other colonial areas like Puritan New England were strictly uniform and opposed to religious freedom, a unique aspect was the ability of dissenters to leave. Anne Hutchinson and Roger Williams practiced freely in their own settlements and were able to found Rhode Island due to the unique and vast land access. The growth of religious toleration was also notably caused by the Great Awakening, a spiritual movement that invoked a wave of religious revival throughout the colonies. New Christian denominations were formed, promoting individual interpretation and religious diversity. The effect of this was that no religion could dominate, therefore making religious toleration less of a choice and moreso a pragmatic