When we talk about American history, we have to talk about the Mayflower Conference first, because this is the beginning of American history. In terms of time, the first British colony in the United States was in Virginia, which arrived in the United States 13 years earlier than the Mayflower. So why did Britain establish a colony in the United States? Why should the arrival of pilgrims be regarded as the starting point of American history?
Why did Britain establish a colony in North America?
/kloc-In the 6th century, Spain and Portugal made a fortune in Africa and South America. At this time, Britain can only watch with envy, and at this time, the population of Britain has increased dramatically. Britain believes that exporting population to the colonies can alleviate the huge pressure of population growth.
At that time, in order to maintain their aristocratic status, British aristocrats needed to hold parties to maintain their identity, but this luxury accumulated with money needed sustainable income. Unfortunately, these nobles don't have any income. When Spain and Portugal brought colonial precious metals back to Europe, European prices soared, which made the British nobles worse. Even aristocrats who can collect land rent are in jeopardy at this time of soaring prices. In order to ensure the integrity of the land, Britain requires that only the eldest son can have the right to inherit the land and title, and other children of those nobles can only stand on their own feet. These factors prompted Britain's declining aristocrats to explore overseas colonies.
Why did so many Puritans come to North America?
/kloc-In the 6th century, Henry VIII of England carried out a series of religious reforms. He hoped to nationalize religion, let the king become the leader of the English church, and finally realize the unity of church and state. This radical religious reform caused the religious division in Britain. Those who are dissatisfied with Henry VIII's religious reform are called Puritans, and a movement against the king of England is called Puritanism.
In fact, these Puritans originated from Calvinism in Switzerland. They think that God is the standard of all things, and nothing can be the standard of measuring God in turn. If the doctrine overemphasizes rationality, it will weaken God's all-powerful, all-powerful and good will, which was highly emphasized by the original Christianity. The rational ideology of Catholicism deviates from the original teachings of Jesus in the Catholic Church and is a betrayal of Jesus.
These Puritans were persecuted by Catholicism in England, so they chose to immigrate to the North American continent. People think that this spirit of American autonomy comes from these Puritans, who have learned some Covenant traditions from the Bible, that is, everyone makes a Covenant with God and establishes a partnership. This kind of contractual relationship extends to secular affairs and politics, which embodies equality and freedom for all and is a contractual relationship.
Virginia colony
The first British colony in North America was in Virginia. 1585, British aristocrat Walter Raleigh sent a fleet from the Atlantic Ocean to an island near the Carolina, which is called Ronarch Island. He settled the first batch of immigrants on this island and began the experiment of British immigration overseas. Earl Walter Raleigh named the island Virginia to please the unmarried Queen Elizabeth, which means virgin land.
Although they got help from the Indians on the island, these immigrants left Virginia because of food shortage. Three years later, 1 10 British immigrants came here. At this time, Britain just caught up with the maritime war with Spain, and the whole immigration project was suspended. 1590 When the British came here again, they found these immigrants mysteriously missing.
Since then, Britain began to colonize overseas in the form of commercial companies, and organized 144 British immigrants in 1606. These immigrants established a settlement at an estuary in chesapeake bay, and named it Jamestown after King James I at that time. Since then, colonial immigrants in North America began. Since then, with the continuous increase of settlements and the continuous expansion of regions, the title of Virginia has been retained.
Why didn't Spain and Portugal immigrate to North America? In fact, among the last 144 immigrants, half died of hunger and cold in the first winter, 500 people were transported in the second year, and more than half died in less than a year. In the end, there were less than 60 people left. It was not until Britain delivered a large amount of food that these immigrants gained a foothold.
I feel that Britain has invested a lot of money. In fact, Britain has not invested a penny. They adopt the business operation mode of commercial companies. These commercial companies are also unprofitable, because they have been chartered to raise funds to set up Virginia companies. Just like the East India Company that invaded our East Asia, they have military and financial power, and they are completely a country's war machine. They can carry out commercial activities such as transportation and development, so that these capitalists have enough enthusiasm.
In fact, Spain immigrated to American colonies the earliest and occupied the most places. However, unlike British companies, Spain is engaged in national projects, and those capitalists and ordinary people are reluctant to immigrate here because they will not have any rights when they come.
The Spanish big noble did not regard these colonies as settlements, but robbed them and left. So Spain, no matter how good the conditions for these colonies to start, was finally looted and became poor. This spirit of hard work needs enough interests to induce, and Virginia companies have enough interests to drive them to immigrate to North America to open up wasteland.
On the issue of immigration, Britain allowed colonies full autonomy without restrictions, even on religious issues, which attracted a large number of British people to settle here and take risks. Unlike Spain and Portugal, this group of British people came here to reclaim land, plant and fish, and there was no huge profit compared with gold.
Mayflower
When it comes to American history, we must mention the Mayflower. 1620, a group of Puritans oppressed in England first moved to Holland, and later they planned to come to North America to establish their utopia. Immigrants 104. Mayflower may refer to lily of the valley or Huang San leaf, and some people think it is the rose of Tudor dynasty in England.
These Puritans were granted a charter at that time, but this charter was only valid when they arrived in Virginia. However, during their voyage, this is the most dangerous season for the Atlantic Ocean to sail from east to west. They endured against the tide and the wind at sea for 66 days before finally seeing land. When they thought they had arrived in Virginia, it was actually Cape Cod in New England.
This group of immigrants is a little confused. Without the British land certificate and the original receiving company, it is impossible to go to the ground. Some people asked to go ashore without any restrictions, but in order to avoid the infighting and confusion among these Puritan immigrants, the immigration leaders definitely made some rules and signed them before they left the ship and landed.
Among all 104 immigrants, 4 1 adult men signed the Mayflower Convention, declaring their allegiance to the British king for the first time, so as to establish the legitimacy of the immigrant society. After disembarking, it is required to exercise self-restraint in accordance with the convention, implement autonomy, study constitutionalism, and form a civil self-government to rule by itself, formulate laws and elect officials.
These immigrants established a settlement in Plymouth, set up a town council with universal participation, and elected the governor and assistant. Soon after, towns in other places were established one after another, and Plymouth colony was merged into Massachusetts colony at 169 1, becoming one of the earliest colonies at 13.