American Colonies In The 1600s

Alan Taylor’s interpretation of history in American Colonies, is the most effective analysis of push factors that drove Europeans to immigrate to the New World. This source contains the reasons of immigration and the success of the colonies one established. During the 1600’s, the Netherlands were a very liberal place to inhabit- compared to nations surrounding it. The Dutch empire was welcoming to outcasts that were not welcome in their own country. Even in New Netherland, the Dutch exhibited liberal policies, such as allowing women to manage business and even keep her maiden name once married. A letter from Peter Stuyvesant, also provides powerful insight to some of the living and social conditions that colonists faced and how their government …show more content…
The English had unified Church and state- demanding that every citizen support the official Church of England with taxes and regular attendance. Any religious dissent or violation of taxes would be considered treason and heresy. There were church courts established, without juries, to punish those who strayed from the Church. These systems were designed to oppress the citizens of England- forcing everyone into uniformity. The Puritans, who sought reform, separated from the Church in order to pursue a simpler worship. The first 102 Puritan emigrants sailed in 1620 and landed Plymouth on the shore of the Massachusetts Bay. There were already 1500 settlers by 1630 in New England. The population kept growing in Southern New England with Puritan Separatists- with settlements beginning to develop around them. By 1660- there were 33,000 colonists in Massachusetts. This colony remained the most populated and powerful out of all the New England …show more content…
The Dutch had the highest standards of living in Europe- along with wealth. The Dutch had religious freedom, a republican form of government, and a manufacturing boom that propelled their economy. This gave the 1.5 million Dutch little reason to leave their home and risk what they already had somewhere else. The few who did leave did not have enough numbers to protect their colony- giving New Netherland to the English to avoid war. The oppression that the English faced greatly determined their success. Due to the religious intolerance that Puritans faced, they chose to emigrate to pursue freedom away from the Church of England. This triggered a migration that boosted the population of their colonies such as, New England making it one of the most powerful and successful colonies with 33,000 settlers and the Chesapeake, with 25,000 colonists. Without oppression, there can be no strive to change for the