British Immigration
Push & Pull, Journey, Treatment, Contributions
Push and Pull Factors
Of these reasons, the strongest pull factor causing early British immigrants to migrate to North America was for seeking economic opportunity in overseas trade.During the 15th century, England was lacking economic potential. English producers and merchants lost access to merchandise during the Revolt of the Netherlands. This happened because many battles were fought in European grounds which contributed to why part of merchants trading goods and merchandise went lost or missing. While in North America there was a big source of tobacco plant, which was a high profitable item in overseas trade. There were also rich fishing grounds and many corn crops. This seemed as a great opportunity to British explorers, for the British empire could gain wealth by exploring new land, and trading new materials. They would have lots of land to work with, and would make a considerable amount of money from overseas trade. In the new land - America, there were new world grains such as corn that kept the colonists from starving, while tobacco plants contributed as a profitable cash crop. This ‘bright’ economic prospect caught the attention from other settlers in the motherland, which meant many immigrants came to America to also gain wealth. All of which resulting in economic opportunities as the strongest pull factor for the British to migrate to North America.
Journey and Treatment
When the new British settlers and explorers got to their destination, they dismissed the rights of the Native Americans. They did this by forcing native Americans out of their land in order to have land to build colonies. Some might think that this was done because the newcomers were afraid of being taken control of, so they decided to start developing their land at the soonest opportunity possible. This is also an example of how they ignored the Natives, and went along with their own plans. However, the Native Americans had plans of their own. In 1755, an English trader mentioned that one day the Colonials might need the help of Native Americans. He said “the prosperity of our Colonies on the Continent will stand or fall with our Interest and favor among them.” . According to National Humanities Center Resource Toolbox, a documentary was written about the Natives response to the Europeans’ actions. It turns out that the Natives were keeping their power of knowledge about how to stay alive and well in such surroundings of nature. It can be said that they did this so the new colonials would not be able to completely disregard the Native Americans from their own land.
British contributions to America
The most influential contribution that the British has made to America took place in establishing government.British immigrants included Europeans who did not agree of being under the influence of a King. In the mid 1700’s, it was decided among colonists that a group of eligible leaders would write a document that declared their people's Independence. This document is titled as the Declaration of Independence, which has been known as the foundation for America’s government system as it declared the new country’s democracy. The Declaration of Independence set boundaries for our nation's government. Inevitably, the three branches of government and their duties were grounded by the declaration of independence, stating what could and could not done in the hands of representatives, leaving certain rights to citizens. The Declaration of Independence lead to other official written documents identify certain rights and responsibilities of citizens, not to mention the ‘setup’ of our country's government. These documents include the Bill of Rights, and The Constitution. Overall, the British has greatly impacted part of the American culture by giving birth to our country’s democracy and freedom. Still even today 300 some years after the Declaration of independence was written, American citizens and representatives follow and believe in what it has set up for our country.
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