“A community is a group of people who live in the same area and work together towards a common goal and share common interest. ” With the lack of that specific quality in a community it will eventually experience struggle, disputes, and in the end separate and become independent. Economy was definitely a cause to disputes and struggle which validated that the economy was a major part in the idea of settlements in North America. Many clashes in North America were caused by religious concerns but economic concerns certainly exceeded the religious concerns that developed.
Colonial life was influenced by economic concerns during and till the very end of the British colonial era in North America. Economic concerns of the British caused them to seek more and more of North America. The impact of the numerous explorations started when one explorer spread the news of more land with economic advantages. When the Europeans were exposed to the new land, consumers and distributors were so anxiously eager to find a way to get to North America. Searching and seeking for gold, Spanish conquistadores started their journey across the Caribbean leading to the American continents in the 1500s. A big migration of numerous people impacted Europe when an economic depression had hit the woolen trade in the late 1500s. ” Thousands of farmers, beggars, and people of unemployment left Europe in search of markets and the hope of a new life. With people in hunger for an opportunity to make profit and start fresh, religious was the last thing on their minds. Out of all the thirteen colonies, seven American colonies were formed for economic motives. The first English settlement was in Jamestown, Virginia. The purpose of settlement was not a religious one; the colony was viewed as a way to expand trade.
John Rolfe introduced tobacco to the Virginia colony. This led to a tobacco rush. With food as a desire for the colonists it suddenly changed to the desire for more land in which to plant more tobacco. South Carolina was founded for the major crop that benefited the economy which was rice. Economic reasons were very important to the British government because they viewed this as a big economic race which they had to win to be exemplified as great. With such a thriving economy in North America, this led to many more organizations and demands. With eagerness of success and a booming economy, people begged for more.
After the exploration of Columbus was discovered, people couldn’t wait to get the economy going. The Columbus Exchange was formed which started trade with Africa, the New World, and the Old World. Then there came a downfall. Working to keep the business going became difficult. The Ecomienda System was then introduced. This system allowed certain colonist to acquire Indians for labor. All settlers were then eager for the success they would get by attaining more Indians which eventually led to the hunger of more land. More land required more people.
This is when slaves were introduced. At first the plantations relied on indentured servants who were white. With greed, settlers were then in need of much more help. Slaves were then imported into the Americas. The slaves were treated very harsh and it all started from the hunger of making profit. The amount of slaves in all the colonies, especially the south, increased greatly. Each and every day economy was impacting North America in so many ways. Although economy was striving, religious FREEDOM wasn’t. The motive of colonization for religious purposes was not really successful.
Most colonies that were formed for religious purposes did not really allow freedom. Freedom was not extended to everyone. Many times, the people who expressed a different approach on religious worship were not welcomed. Puritans were very furious and did not tolerate those who held views that were not theirs. Pennsylvania was one colony that accepted all faiths. Economy was the reason for this. To ensure that Pennsylvania would economically have success, Pennsylvania immediately allowed all people from any religion. North America definitely was not a successful religious escape for the freedom of all.
Out of all the immigration to North America, most came from the demand of slaves and indentured servants. This displays that more people came to North America to support the economy rather than religious tolerance. Settlement and exploration to North America focused more on the economic motives than the religious ones. With North America having more success in economy concerns than religious, Britain profited from the settlement. North America today is still significantly thriving compared to many other countries in the economic area. Religion was very important but the economy was something that definitely defined the nation.
