American Colonies Influence

Although the Spanish, French, and English all had major impacts on their respective settlements, the English had a substantial influence on what became the American colonies. From the early founding of Jamestown in 1607 until the calls for American independence in 1776, the people who settled in New England had a direct impact on the nation’s future. American culture and values changed over the course of the next one-and-a-half centuries, leading to uniqueness only present in the New World. Spanning from religious groups to scientific thinkers, developments in New England led to independent viewpoints that differed from Great Britain’s. Ultimately, this was a contributing factor for the American War of Independence in 1776. The beliefs and development of North America between

The Pilgrims signed the Mayflower Compact, the first written government contract on American soil and created a government based on the consent of the people. Rules in the colony were based on both the Bible and English Common Law. Believing in the teachings of Calvinists like John Calvin, a direct democracy by way of frequent town meetings was the adopted form of government. Church and government were tied together and Puritans followed the New England Way. Furthermore, while on the ship the Arabella during the voyage to the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1630, John Winthrop gave a sermon known as “A Model of Christian Charity”. He described the future city as a utopia and this sermon is known for using the term “City Upon a Hill” to describe the religious colony. This was similar to the feelings of American exceptionalism many individuals had later on. Having such a godly community, Winthrop hoped, would shame England into repenting and fixing its Catholic practices. People worked hard and lived in moderation. Family- the “little commonwealth”- was the basis of