The Earliest Colonies in America, Essay Example

Abstract

That primary articles are a unique source of historical information is a well-known fact. Students and scholars in history rely on primary sources in their search for historical objectivity and truth. This paper seeks to compare, contrast, and evaluate three primary articles concerning the earliest colonies in America. The paper discusses the goals of the first colonists, the nature of the colonies, and the newcomers’ first successes and failures. The paper confirms the relevance and historical value of the primary sources of information but points to the risks of subjectivity and personal bias, which can reduce the relevance and importance of the information presented by the authors.

Response Essay

That primary articles are unique sources of historical information is a well-known fact. Students and scholars in history rely on primary sources in their search for historical truth. The earliest years of the American nation were, probably, the most difficult and controversial period in the life of the English newcomers. The search for habitation, the development and establishment of the colonies and settlements, and the need to maintain peaceful relations with the savages challenged the colonists’ decision to settle in the American continent. Very often, the only thing the colonists could rely on was their faith in God. In their articles, John Smith, John Winthrop and William Bradford wanted to present three different versions of the colonial life in America. The authors sought to elaborate on the nature of the colonies, their goals and achievements, successes and failures, and their vision of the colonial future in the American land. The value of these sources is difficult to underestimate. However, bearing in mind the overall subjectivity of these articles, their meaning and implications should be treated with caution, not to distort the real picture of events in Puritan America.

The earliest years of the American nation were, probably, the most difficult period in the lives of the English newcomers. In their search for stability and happiness, they found nothing but “a hideous and desolate wilderness, full of wild beasts and wild men – and multitudes there be of them they knew not” (Bradford, 1650). Wild beasts and wild men added to the colonists’ sense of unexpectedness and turned their lives into a real challenge. Upon their arrival, the newcomers had to start everything from the very beginning: establish themselves in the new land, build houses, plant and grow crops, marry and love each other, and live in peace with one another and with the Indians. It should be noted, that Indians (or savages) are a common topic of discussion in primary documents. However, where Bradford (1650) creates a picture of peace, agreement, and stability in the colonists’ relations with the local population, Smith (1607) presents an entirely different view of the situation – with fights, violence and an unbelievable leadership triumph at the end of the story. Obviously, how the savages treated the newcomers and vice versa depended on the colonists’ goals and the Indians’ expectations in regard to colonization and settlement. Five savages attacked Captain John Smith and his people the moment they entered the new land (Smith, 1607). Meanwhile, Plymouth Indians would be skulking around the colonists or show themselves sometimes, and run away the moment a colonist approached them (Bradford, 1650). In the meantime, the colonists continued to pursue their goals and worked hard to settle in the land that was new to them.

To establish and settle in America was an extremely dangerous endeavor for Smith. Tragedies and conflicts with the local population followed Smith and his team’s successes and achievements. Captain Smith survived weeks of imprisonment, captured by the savages (Smith, 1607). Meanwhile, other colonists tried to live in accordance with the orders given to them by the government (Smith, 1607). Life in Jamestown resembled a peace-conflict sequence, and it is very probable that people there could never feel safe. Plymouth presented a completely different picture of peaceful routine, where the colonists were able to establish mutually productive relationships with the Indians and worked hard to provide for themselves. The land was divided equally between families, each family was responsible for its share of crops, and such approach to the economy and social life proved to be extremely effective and reliable (Bradford, 1650).

In view of those difficulties, religion was often the only thing that supported the colonists. The colonists’ unchangeable faith in God served the basic source of confidence and optimism for them. As such, it comes as no surprise that religion is a common theme in all three articles. Captain Smith and his team had to live through numerous hardships – they lived upon sturgeon and ate sea-crabs, and only when God “the patron of all good endeavors, in that desperate extremity so changed the hearts of the savages”, did they get another chance to survive with plenty of food the Indians brought to them (Smith, 1607). Plymouth residents treated the Spirit of God as the only force that sustained them and heard their voice in the midst of wilderness (Bradford, 1650). However, neither Plymouth nor Jamestown seemed to have a spiritual philosophy similar to that presented by John Winthrop. Winthrop’s philosophy was devised with the intent to prepare the people for creating a new society in a new dangerous atmosphere (Winthrop, 1630). Winthrop’s philosophy was extremely systematic, comprehensible, and wise – he sought to promote equity and justice, mercy and charity, politeness, peace, collaboration and support. Winthrop (1630) wanted the people of his colony to live as one – a brotherhood of religious and spiritual ideals that would work cooperatively to achieve the greatest common good. Whether Winthrop was able to achieve his goal the document does not tell, and even the historical value of the primary documents cannot conceal their weaknesses and flaws.

Subjectivity and bias are the primary documents’ basic limitations. The descriptions of one and the same situation can differ considerably between the authors, depending on their mood, intention and purpose. At times, primary documents raise more questions than they can answer. Here, the differences in how the Indians treated the newcomers are the issue of the major concern. Whether and how Plymouth colonists were able to establish peaceful relations with the savages and what was the reason of their aggressiveness against Smith’s people requires additional analysis. Is it possible that Smith did not provide the full account of the events that happened to him and his people? The answer to this question is extremely difficult to find. Nevertheless, primary documents remain the principal source of historical information about the events of the past, and even subjectivity and bias cannot diminish their significance in the study of the colonial years in early America.

Conclusion

That primary articles are unique sources of information about the past is a well-known fact. The earliest years of the American nation are not an exception – in their accounts, John Smith, John Winthrop and William Bradford present three different visions of the colonial life in America. The search for habitation, the development and establishment of the colonies and settlements, as well as the need to maintain peaceful relations with the Indians challenged the colonists and made their lives extremely difficult. Very often, religion was the only thing that supported the colonists in their way to peace and happiness. Unfortunately, subjectivity and bias are the primary documents’ basic limitations: how different authors describe one and the same situation can differ considerably, depending on their mood, intention and purpose. Nevertheless, everything the authors described in their articles adds value and significance to the study of the colonial years in early America.

References

Bradford, W. (1650). Modern history sourcebook: William Bradford: from History of Plymouth Plantation, c.1650. Fordham University. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/mod/1650bradford.html

Smith, J. (1607). The settlement of Jamestown. National Center. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://www.nationalcenter.org/SettlementofJamestown.html

Winthrop, J. (1630). A model of Christian charity. Religious Freedom. Retrieved September 30, 2010 from http://religiousfreedom.lib.virginia.edu/sacred/charity.html