Premium Essay

Economic Disparity In Colonial America

Submitted By
Words 1387
Pages 6
When many British settlers came to the new world, they were searching for the myths associated with that land. These myths commonly fell along the rights and freedoms that had been restricted in England. Along with restrictions on rights, the economic situation in England was dreadful. The masses of poor became homeless and jobless. Such restrictions on rights, like freedom of speech and freedom of religion, along with the obvious disparage between the rich and the poor, caused enough discontempt for masses of people to leave the nation in search for something better. These people heard the myths of the new world, being a land where anyone could become rich and free, and instinctively immigrated. These people, being influenced by the myths …show more content…
At the time of a major immigration of Europeans to the “New World,” there was a terrible economic crisis occurring in England. The rich were still rich however the poor were generally unemployed and starving. This situation caused a large number of Europeans to immigrate, “Nonetheless, the economic conditions in England were so bad, with vast numbers of peasants being unemployed when the lands they had formerly farmed were combined into large enclosed fields, that many men were willing to become indentured servants; of the 130,000 Englishmen who immigrated to the Chesapeake region in the 17th century, more than 75% did so as indentured servants” (The English Colonies in the Americas in the 17th century, Hist pg. 37). These indentured servants are desperate enough to subject themselves to the likeness of slavery in order to begin a new life in the new world. Consequently, this introduced a large number of hard working desperate people into the colonies and eventually the United States. These people represent one major value of the new world; equal opportunity. Every free man in the new world has an equal opportunity for success. This is shown perfectly by Benjamin Franklin, “So I sold some of my books to raise a little money, was taken aboard privately, and as we had a fair wind, in three days I found myself in New York, near 300 miles from home, a boy but of 17, without the least recommendation, or knowledge of any person in the place, and with very little money in my pocket” (Benjamin Franklin, Lit pg. 110). Benjamin, like most of the immigrants, started with little money in a new place and ended up as a wealthy, influential person. He exceptionally displays a key new world value, one that very much defined life in the new world

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

By 1750 the English Colonies on the North American Mainland Had Matured and Changed. What Were the Key Ways in Which the Colonial Societies of This Era (1700-1750) Differed from Those of the Early 17th Century (1600-

...European countries like France, England and Netherlands set up various colonies in America in the 17th century. After the initial struggle against disease, malnutrition and resistance from Native tribes, most of the colonies were well established by end of 17th and start of 18th century. Though every colony developed differently from 17th to 18th century, but all were still ruled by British government. There were significant changes in commerce, religious beliefs, cultural liberty but no major changes in the social equality and political liberty of the colonies during this time. All colonies developed different economic systems based upon the weather and local resources. The major part of economy was based on export to England and other European countries. The northern colonies had fishing and shipping industries with small manufacturing. The Southern colonies exported crops like tobacco, rice, indigo and corn to England. In return all colonies imported manufactured goods from England for common use at home. The business and farming depended on apprentices and slave labors. The demand of low cost labor increased in African American slave population in agricultural Southern states and more immigrants settled in other colonies. The colonies looked more like British cities and British made goods were in good demand thus increasing the commerce between two countries. The gap between rich and poor widened as the rich farmers continued to acquire more land and became richer. The...

Words: 812 - Pages: 4

Free Essay

The Reasons That the United States Won the Spanish-American War

...first time broke the geographic boundaries and began to set a goal as one of the most powerful countries in the world in 20th century. From isolationism to expansionism, the Spanish-American War led America into the modern era, the war was a symbol that the United States was rising power. The Spanish-American War was a war which launched in order to despoil the Spanish colonies. At that time, the Philippines not only had the important economic value, but also was the strategic base of America, so it was necessary to occupy the Philippines. On February 15th, the American vessel the Maine sunk in Havana harbor, and the United States seized the chance as an excuse, began to take military actions to declare war to Spain. There are many reasons to explain why the United States won this war, and many people consider that the main reason of it is because the huge strength disparity between the United States and Spain. “Spain was even less ready for war than the United States.”(ushistory.org). That’s true, the burgeoning America had strong economic and military potential, and it had built a powerful navy. At the same time Spain had declined, and it was isolated in the National position, also. Especially the Cubans and the Filipinos armed themselves to struggle against the Spanish colonial rule, and suppressed a large number of Spanish troops. “The relations between Spain and the United States had been much disturbed by the state of affairs in Cuba.”(Plagiarism). The brutal crackdown...

Words: 725 - Pages: 3

Free Essay

Why Nations Fails

...Why Nations Fail In this essay, I am reviewing a book entitled Why Nations Fail written by Daron Acemoglu, and James Robinson. The book was written in 2012, and the authors mention the ongoing Arab Spring as they were putting together their ideas in writing. This coincidence makes me wonder if these authors were also impacted by the information revolution or the information outburst as Nye (2013) often chooses to call. In fact, the authors did not mention the term ‘information revolution’ in the book; they simply state that Egyptians are on the street not because they are poor, as many scholars and political analysts suggest, but because power has resided in the hands of a few elites, and these elites have used political power to amass personal wealth at the expense of the bigger mass. But why the Egyptian revolution took place at this particular time, instead of a decade ago, for example? As far as I understand political theories, the answer lies behind globalization and information revolution which opened a new gate to information. That is, since billions of people around the globe are capable of reaching the internet (about 1.7 million according to Nye), many are able to read online news, or even watch them live as they are being broadcasted. Thus, it is possible to associate the Egyptian revolution or the Arab Spring to globalization and information revolution. Acemoglu et al, (2012) also indicate that Egypt’s ex-president, Hosni Mubarak gathered a huge amount of...

Words: 1702 - Pages: 7

Premium Essay

Slavery vs Indentured Servant Term Paper

... History 102 ------------------------------------------------- Treatment of slaves and indentured servants ------------------------------------------------- Since the beginning of United States history, slavery played a key role in developing the American economy. From the early colonial period through the end of the civil war, African American slaves and indentured servants generally handled the labor in the Southern region of the United States. Although both African American slaves and indentured servants endured many of the same struggles, the difference between the treatment of people within each classification can be seen in runaway advertisements. These advertisements provided insight into the treatment of the indentured servants versus slaves through references to description of a trade, clothing and physical appearance. ------------------------------------------------- Runaway advertisements were published within colonial newspapers that were prevalent primarily between the late 1700’s. These advertisements were usually placed under the section describing ‘lost or stolen goods’ and slave owners or masters were the people who would offer...

Words: 1203 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

What Is the ‘Georgian Worldview’ and How Has This Concept Influenced the Archaeology of Eighteenth-Century North America?

...What is the ‘Georgian worldview’ and how has this concept influenced the archaeology of eighteenth-century North America? The ‘Georgian worldview’ is a theory that uses a study of cultural development to determine the thoughts of the eighteenth-century North Americans. It was initiated by James Deetz in his first edition of In Small Things Forgotten (1977). The term encapsulates Deetz’s structuralism-based idea that the evident alteration within English material culture and landscape design was more than a change in style, but a universal change in human consciousness—from medieval to modern—and this extended across the Atlantic despite the colony’s increasing political distance from the homeland (Deetz, 1996: 62-63; 2003: 221). Deetz believed that shared artefact form reflected shared thought (2003: 220). The theory has enabled historical archaeologists to recognise a distinctive shift in many areas of material culture which subsequently encouraged a succession of scholars to further this idea by posing key questions: why did the worldview develop, where else was a Georgian worldview visible, how did it present itself in areas outside New England? In the quest for answers to these questions, archaeologists have developed the concept which accordingly shaped interpretations of the material discoveries of eighteenth-century North America. Deetz’s model for the cultural development of New England illustrates that following an interval (1660-1760) of limited English...

Words: 3625 - Pages: 15

Premium Essay

Colonization and the First Globalization

...gain a better knowledge of how terrestrial and ocean colonization unfolded in the Americas, Siberia, Africa, and China, a person must first understand the definition of colonization. Simply put, colonization is an ongoing process of control by which a central system of power dominates the surrounding land and its components. This means that a foreign government moves into the land and seizes control; gaining power, natural resources, and a larger economy. In the year 1492, an Italian explorer by the name of Christopher Columbus set out on an expedition departing from Spain in search of a faster ocean route to reach Asia. Him and his crew set foot on an island in the Bahamas 36 days after deporting from Spain. While in the Bahamas, Columbus and his men visited a total of three islands and built a settlement on Hispaniola Island with salvaged wreckage from one of their ships. Convinced he had reached Asia, he then set sail back to Spain with the two remaining ships. Columbus failed to find what he set out for – a new route to Asia along with the riches it promised, and he passed away short of success in 1506. However, Columbus was still successful in other terms. He is credited with the discovery of the New World and opening the Americas for European colonization. Following Columbus’s discovery, European nations that were on the Atlantic Rim exploited the riches and resources of the Americas. Due to their region’s position in the Eurasian economy, Europeans were determined...

Words: 2308 - Pages: 10

Premium Essay

History of Nursing Matrix

...Matrix Past Period 1: Historical Time Period: Colonial period in America was “characterized by human existence” described by Stanhope & Lancaster (2012, p23). Nursing Role in Community: Caring for the infirmed was undertaken by the female head of the house, which meant there was no formal training caring for sick members of the household. It was also the responsibility of the female head of the household to grow and gather herbs used for healing. Major Health Issues: Yellow fever, small pox, cholera, typhoid, typhus, TB, and malaria. Poor sanitation systems, and poor control over communicable disease that entered the country through seaports made it difficult to organize and support any public health effort that could curtail the spread of sickness (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012). Partnerships Used: The colonist relied on British traditions to establish a system of caring for the sick. The Elizabeth Poor Laws “guaranteed medical care for the poor, blind, and lame. Each county or township was responsible to care for their residents” (Stanhope & Lancaster, 2012, p.24). As time evolved and the American Revolution was over, the public began to understand and support the need for government sponsored boards of health and they were established. The sponsored boards collected vital statisitics, sanitation improvements, and control of communicable diseases (Stanhope &Lancaster, 2012). During the colonial period, it seemed as though it started out as a community...

Words: 947 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

James I. Bacon's Struggle To Change The Colonial Political System

...In 1607 the British established their first successful colony at Chesapeake Bay, named Jamestown out of respect for the new king, James I. In the first ten years the death rate in the colony rose to a number between 70 and 80 percent due to Indian attacks and water borne diseases. In 1616 John Rolfe led the movement to make tobacco the cash crop of Virginia, and this addictive commodity sold at an incredible markup. Planters that migrated to the Americas needed laborers to harvest their crops, and, starting in 1619, they frequently used the sturdy beggars of London and Bristol. These able bodied workers, could not afford the transatlantic voyage, and therefore gave up five years of their lives to work as indentured servants on plantations....

Words: 839 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Racism Is Detrimental To The United States

...The atrocious legacy of slavery and segregation and discrimination is still with us. Centuries of horrible discrimination have left the lives of African Americans ruined. African Americans are still struggling to overcome enormous race based disparities, such as educational opportunities, employment, health, and economic well being. Africans Americans from studies have shown to have shorter life expectancies than do white Americans. They are also more likely to be unemployed, and less likely to complete high school or college and receive a degree. African Americans are more likely to live in poorer neighborhoods or poor parts of towns, also they are more likely to end up in prison. Compared to whites, African Americans have a greater chance of being convicted if they are to be arrested for a crime and are also more likely to receive a worse sentence than white Americans convicted of the same offenses. African American men have a one in three chance of landing in prison at some point in their lives, while white men have...

Words: 862 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

White American Privileges and Social Class

...White American Privileges and Social Class Aieleen Lanot University of Hawaii – West Oahu   White American Privileges and Social Class Privilege is a concept of sociology used to implicate that there are certain groups of individuals that have an advantage over others. “Social liberties use the term to mean benefits according to white people under economic, political, and social circumstance. (Anyon 17)” I agree with his stance because there is no extension of such privileges to individuals of other races such as Blacks, Hispanics or Asians. The use of this term is mainly in the social inequality context primarily in relation to social class, sexual orientation, race, age, and gender. Several recorded privileged elements show the advantageous that White America has in getting access to better housing, jobs, and education. This paper will explore the issue of White American privileges and how social class status is based on color of your skin and the financial means of your family. In the article by Peggy McIntosh, she defines, “White privileges as a package of unearth assets, invisible in nature and are obvious” (McIntosh 10). There is a comparison of white privilege to an undetectable light knapsack of assurance, maps, tools, guidance, visa, codebooks, clothes, passbooks, emergency gear, blank checks, etc. I concur with Peggy McIntosh analysis since there are several functions brought about by white privileges. These functions include provisions of “perks”...

Words: 3186 - Pages: 13

Free Essay

Inequality in Latin America

...Although Latin America has faced many social, political, and economic issues within the last three centuries, inequality remains one of the most important, historical, and omnipresent aspects of the region’s culture. As Europeans took over Latin America during the time of colonization, they implemented many elitist social structures that have held strong and are evident today (Harris). Income inequality is the most visible and greatest disparity that the region faces; yet inequality between gender, ethnicities, and education remain strong and significant problems with a necessity for improvement. Inequality of wealth and disparity of power and influence are Latin American’s greatest curses and are at the root of many of the developmental, social, criminal, and political problems that continue to plague the region (De Ferranti). Since inequality has pervaded into every feature of Latin American society, it is important to measure inequality accurately in order to obstruct the causes of the discrimination and prevent new ones from beginning. The Gini Coefficient is an effective way that people indicate the inequality of a country by measuring a frequency distribution of income or wealth. Using the "Gini Index" of inequality in the distribution of income and consumption, the researchers found that Latin America and the Caribbean, from the 1970s through the 1990s, measured nearly 10 points more unequal than Asia, 17.5 points more unequal than the 30 countries in the Organization...

Words: 3191 - Pages: 13

Premium Essay

Bacon's Rebellion Apush

...2. Identity: The white unification in the upper and middle classes allowed for the vast majority of people (white people) in the colonies to invest in an American identity. 3. Ideas, Belief, Culture: The Elizabethan culture of damning vagabonds made its way to colonial society and made the more wealthy colonists look at those without wealth with contempt. 4. America in the World: The Natives were seen as dangerous and troublesome people who had to be stopped. As seen in Bacon’s Rebellion, the British had no intentions to come together and be “friends” with the indigenous people. 5. Environment and Geography: The people without high ranking, the servants, were sent into the wilderness to settle and “scope out” the area before the rich would come to ensure their safety and well being in these new lands. This caused anger and resentment between the poor and the rich and partly inspired the Bacon’s Rebellion. 6. Peopling: The poor (servants) came to the colonies in prospect of finding a better home and economic status. However, they claimed to have been stripped of...

Words: 1352 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Economy of India

...Economy of India From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Jump to: navigation, search Economy of The Republic of India | Mumbai, financial center of India | Rank | 10th (nominal) / 3rd (PPP) | Currency | 1 Indian Rupee (INR) () = 100 Paise | Fiscal year | 1 April – 31 March | Trade organizations | WTO, SAFTA, G-20 and others | Statistics | GDP | $1.843 trillion (nominal: 10th; 2011)[1]$4.469 trillion (PPP: 3rd; 2011)[1] | GDP growth | 6.9% (2011-12)[2] | GDP per capita | $1,527 (nominal: 135th; 2011)[1]$3,703 (PPP: 127th; 2011)[1] | GDP by sector | agriculture: 18.1%, industry: 26.3%, services: 55.6% (2011 est.) | Inflation (CPI) | 6.89% (March 2012)[3] | Population below poverty line | 37% (2010) (Note: 42% live less than $1.25 a day)[4] | Gini coefficient | 36.8 (List of countries) | Labour force | 487.6 million (2011 est.) | Labour force by occupation | agriculture: 52%, industry: 14%, services: 34% (2009 est.) | Unemployment | 9.8% (2011 est.)[5] | Average gross salary | $1,330 yearly (2010) | Main industries | telecommunications, textiles, chemicals, food processing, steel, transportation equipment, cement, mining, petroleum, machinery, software, pharmaceuticals | Ease of Doing Business Rank | 132nd[6] (2011) | External | Exports | $303.7 billion (2011 est.) | Export goods | petroleum products, precious stones, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, vehicles, apparel | Main export partners | US 12.6%, UAE 12.2%, China 8...

Words: 9405 - Pages: 38

Premium Essay

African Studies

...Stephan Soliman Professor Hebert Johnson AFR-121 3-2-1 Exercise: Black Leadership In The Twenty-First Century-Donald Cunningen 3 Things I Learned: 1. According to the article “Black Leadership In The Twenty-First Century” written by Donald Cunnigen I learned that at the time of the Katrina disaster, New Orleans was a city defined by several decades of black leadership. More precisely, an original black leadership at the highest level derived from various elements of the descendants of an elite “Creole of Color” community that still is a distinct identifiable group within a southern city that has always prided itself on its diversity. Beginning with Ernest “Dutch” Morial, serving 1978-1986, the Crescent City’s black community developed into a powerful political force. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina’s onslaught, blacks were found in all aspects of city government, including the offices of mayor, city council (3 of 7 members), police chief, district attorney, judiciary, and other areas of city government. This leadership was complemented by national political figures such as Representative William Jefferson. The 67percent black population made such political gains a reality. (Black Leadership In The Twenty-First Century, Cunnigen, pg.25) 2. Also, what I learned that was based on this article was that the idea of black leaders, particularly “a” black leader, has been a part of the black American social discourse throughout American history. In 1903, W.E.B. DuBois...

Words: 896 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Information Technology Ebooks

...during the last fifty years. This revolution is likely to continue to impact not only on the administration of the Nigeria, but on the society at large. The argument proposed here asserts that equality of opportunity of women and men is more likely to be achieved if both genders embrace the changes now occurring in communication and information use with similar vigour. This term paper seeks to highlight on the concept of gender discrimination, even as sundry instances of the persistent issue is well sustained. The argument proposed here provides an anecdotal rather than theoretical overview of the way in which the use of information technology has come to dominate modern decision making in a variety of contexts. The dimension of women disparity and the need to correct such inequality is elaborated. Finally, the areas of applications of information technology in curbing gender differences and the probable outcome of such applications is well addressed. INTRODUCTION Women are key to the development challenge. Throughout the developing world, women are at a disadvantage at the household, community, and societal levels. Within the household, women have less access to and control over resources and limited influence over household decisions. Beyond the household, women have limited access to communal resources, are under-represented in public decision-making bodies; have limited bargaining power in markets (such as the labour market), and often lack opportunities to improve their...

Words: 4258 - Pages: 18