During the seventeeth century. Was the first thirteen colonies mostly a communities of conflict or consensus? Why were they in conflict or consensus?
During the 1600s, each of the thirteen colonies were unique entities to themselves. However, there was little conflict or consensus between them.
I'm suppose to write a paragraph on whether the communities was conflict or consensus and back it up with fractual evidence. I believe there was more conflict than consensus. I don't want to say it's both or neither, I'm afraid he might makr it wrong. The textbook says
The earliest historians of colonial society portrayed close-knit, homogeneous, and hierarchical communities. Richard Bushman in From Puritan to Yankee (1967) challenged that traditional view. He described colonial New England as an expanding, open society in which the colonist gradually lost the religious discipline and social structure of the founding generations. Rhys Isaac viewed the Great Awakening in the South as similar evidence of erosion in the social constraints and deference that once held colonial society together.
Since this paragraph mentions nothing about conflict between the colonies, we must assume that there was consensus between them.
Oh there's actually 3 more paragraphs. I didn't want you to read too much so I only copy and paste the first paragraph. The other paragraphs are just different viewpoints of scholars. The only thing I find really confusing is the question. Colonial America: Communities of conflict or consensus? I don't think there was a lot of conflict between colonies but inside the colonies, there was always some sort of conflict. So is it talking about conflict between colonies or conflict in colonies?
Is this exactly the way your question reads?
During the seventeeth century. Was the first thirteen colonies mostly a communities of conflict or consensus? Why were they in conflict or consensus?
Since it has some grammatical errors, I suggest you go back and reread the assignment and type it here exactly as it should be.
No, the question is
Colonial America: Communities of Conflict or Consensus?
To determine whether the first thirteen colonies in the seventeenth century were mostly communities of conflict or consensus, we need to examine historical evidence from that time period. One way to do this is by studying primary source documents, such as letters, diaries, laws, and records from that era. These sources can provide insights into the conflicts and agreements that shaped the colonies.
One major factor that contributed to conflicts in the colonies was their diverse origins and backgrounds. The thirteen colonies were settled by various European powers, including the English, Dutch, French, and Spanish. Each group brought with them different cultural, religious, and political traditions, which often clashed with one another. Religious conflicts, in particular, were prevalent as different colonies had different religious beliefs and practices.
For example, the Massachusetts Bay Colony was founded by Puritans who sought religious freedom but were intolerant towards other religious groups. This led to conflicts with neighboring colonies like Rhode Island, which was established by Roger Williams as a haven for religious dissidents. Colonial governments also clashed over issues like land rights, taxation, trade, and relations with indigenous peoples.
However, despite these conflicts, there were also instances of consensus and cooperation among the colonies. One notable example is the New England Confederation, formed in 1643, which aimed to create a united defense against Native American attacks and coordinate policies among the colonies of Massachusetts Bay, Plymouth, Connecticut, and New Haven.
Additionally, shared experiences and challenges, such as the harsh conditions of colonial life, the need for self-governance, and the struggle against Native American resistance, often led the colonies to find common ground and work together.
In summary, the first thirteen colonies in the seventeenth century were a mix of communities of conflict and consensus. Conflicts arose due to the diverse origins, religious differences, and competing interests among the colonies. However, there were also instances of consensus and cooperation for mutual benefits, especially in matters of defense and shared challenges they faced. Studying primary sources from this era will provide a deeper understanding of the conflicts and agreements that shaped the early colonies.