Movements that had an impact on colonial Americas dev. essays

Movements that had an impact on colonial America's dev. essays There were several movements that had an impact on colonial America. Some of these movements were the Mayflower Compact, mercantilism, the enslavement of Africans, and the first Great Awakening. Each of these movements had a great impact on the development of colonial America, and helped to create what America is today. The Mayflower Compact was a document signed by 41 male passengers on the Mayflower before landing at Plymouth. Concerned that some members might leave to form their own colonies, William Bradford and others drafted the compact to bind the group into a political body and pledge members to abide by any laws that would be established. The document adapted a church covenant to a civil situation and was the basis of the colonys government. The settlers elected a governor and at first made all decisions for the colony at town meetings. Before the Mayflower Compact was drafted, the Pilgrims suffered problems with disease, neighboring Indians, and an unfamiliar climate. Under the leadership of William Bradford and William Brewster, the colony slowly recovered from the losses of the first year and by 1630 had a population of about 400 people. Within a few years, the colony had reached, and passed, 1,000 inhabitants. This compact was the first attempt at self-governing by the colonists. They were not ordered by the King to create this; they did it of their own accord in order to survive. This compact served as an example for other colonies, and they soon created their own governments as well. This trend of self-governing led to a greater independence of the colonies from the motherland, and it ultimately led to the American Revolution. Mercantilism also had a great impact on colonial America. England, France, Holland, and Spain all restricted their colonies foreign trade. Subsidies and other assistance was employed to encourage the colonies to produce raw materials, while their right to pro...