Two Dimensions of Inequality, Reaction Paper Example

Introduction

This paper examines the subject of inequality in early Boston MA.  Particular focus is made upon social class and ethnic diversity.

Social Class

In the 1790, Boston was an example of early American industrialism and the industrial machine used both child and female labour.  This was a time of extreme poverty in colonial Boston. New England had seen the brunt of the activity in the colonial wars and it was estimated by the British that 1/5^th of the male colonists had been killed. This left many women working in the factories and workhouses.  In Boston, the main population were of English stock and they perpetuated the class system in Colonial America. As such, status was very important and people were judged upon their position in society, degree of wealth, birth and family connections etc.

At the lowest end of the society chain were the African Slaves that virtually had no rights at all and were highly discriminated against.  Other people included indented white servants that were mainly convicted criminals sent from Britain to the colonies for long periods of servitude as punishment for their crimes.  In addition, the street urchins and waifs of London were sold off to cruel traders and placed into servitude in the Americas.  There were others who simply wanted a new life in the Americas and sold themselves into servitude for a term of not more than five years to pay for their passage. These people often ended up working on the plantations for farmers and merchants. Many of these redemption people served their time and eventually formed the backbone of the new middle class society in America. It was these people who forged out the new frontiers in America and created new towns and businesses. In general, terms they were industrious folk that led a rewarding and quiet life.

Ethnic Diversity

The colonial times in early Boston consisted of a diverse ethnic group of people. Early Boston was under English Colonial rule. This transported the English justice system to the colonies that presided of mainly English ex patriots.  In addition, there were Dutch, Swiss, Swedes, Fins and French Huguenots.  It was indeed a rich ethnic diversity of old European cultures.  Later the English were to decline in numbers entering the new world and there was a sharp increase in Germans, Scots and Irish.  The latter were a very tough breed and became instrumental in developing the gangs that populated New York.

The new colonists rapidly became an English speaking community, particularly in Boston and New England.  In general, terms however, the different ethnic cultures from Europe tended to form a patchwork quilt of different ethnic colonies, in this sense retained their European heritage, and transplanted the ideals into the Americas.  In Boston, however, it was estimated that 82% of the population were of English Ancestory. Of the 13 colonies it was the 250,000 English population in Boston that held the most sway.

The early English control disadvantaged the more minority groups like the Dutch settlers and as such these groups became more insulated and isolated.  The English became viewed as an oppressive regime that was obsessed with taxation and merely generating wealth for the motherland and enforcing this by a colonial army.   The African slaves were also responsible for cultural diversity bringing cultural beliefs from different parts of Africa. However this was not recognized by the Europeans and it remained suppressed for a long time.