What were the diverse purposes of England's American colonies and how were these purposes altered in early years of settlement?
The driving purposes were:
1) various Religious movements
2) economic betterment
3) refuge from jail or oppression
If you examine the migrations, you should find clusters of colonies that featured one of these stronger than the other in specific colonies.
To understand the diverse purposes of England's American colonies and how they were altered in the early years of settlement, you can follow these steps:
1. Research the reasons for English colonization: England's colonization of North America had several purposes. These included economic motives such as establishing profitable trade routes, acquiring valuable resources, and expanding markets for English goods. There were also political motives, including increasing England's power and influence in global affairs, as well as religious motives such as spreading the Anglican Church and escaping religious persecution.
2. Study the different colonial regions: England's American colonies can be divided into three main regions: New England, the Middle Colonies, and the Southern Colonies. Each region had distinct purposes and characteristics. New England colonies, like Massachusetts, were primarily settled by religious dissenters seeking religious freedom and the establishment of Puritan communities. The Middle Colonies, including Pennsylvania and New York, had a mix of religious, political, and economic motives with a focus on agriculture, trade, and religious tolerance. The Southern Colonies, including Virginia and Maryland, were primarily established for economic purposes, specifically for large-scale agricultural production such as tobacco and later rice and indigo.
3. Consider how these purposes were altered in the early years: Once the colonies were established, the initial purposes often had to be adapted to the challenges faced by the settlers. For example, the New England colonists faced difficulties in agriculture due to their rocky soil and harsh climate, shifting their economic focus to trade, fishing, shipbuilding, and later manufacturing. Similarly, the Middle Colonies became known for their diversity and religious tolerance, which attracted settlers from various backgrounds and altered the initial purposes of the colonies. In the Southern Colonies, the pursuit of profit led to the development of plantation-based agriculture, relying heavily on enslaved labor.
By following these steps, you should be able to understand the diverse purposes of England's American colonies and how these purposes were altered in the early years of settlement.