American Colonization And Its Impact On Society From 1200 To 1750

1498 Words6 Pages

Jayden DeSilva
Ms. Perez
World History II Honors (1)
17 January 2023
Mid Term Paper
During the period of c. 1200-1750, there were significant advancements in economic and commercial practices that had a profound impact on the world. Colonization, the outcomes of the Enlightenment one being, the destruction of monarchies, and slavery were some of the most significant developments that occurred during this time period. These economic practices affected individuals from various social, religious, and cultural backgrounds, and their effects continue to be felt globally today. Colonization, for instance, led to the spread of European culture and influence across the world but also had a significant impact on the cultures and societies of the colonized …show more content…

Many people came to believe that monarchies, with their absolute power and lack of accountability, were outdated and unjust and that it was no longer acceptable for them to control the lives and freedoms of individuals. One reason this came to be was, the taxes the British imposed on the colonies in North America, this served largely as a source of economic wealth for the British. The British colonial approach during this time was distinguished by a disregard for the colonies and a focus on earning income from them. The idea of no taxation without representation, which claimed that the colonies should not be taxed by the British government unless they had representation in the British Parliament, was one of the major concerns that emerged as a result of this, the delegates from each of the colonies made this known at the “Frist Continental Congress” where they declared their natural rights, and that they are “entitled to life, liberty, and property (First Continental Congress).” This notion had a significant role in the development of the American Revolution and the eventual establishment of the United States government and as a sovereign state. In response to the British’s intolerable acts during this time people desired a government based on popular sovereignty or the idea that a government's power ultimately comes from the consent of the people. The political treatise "The Social Contract," written by Jean-Jacques Rousseau, explores the idea that the people are sovereign and that the legal power of a state arises from the agreement of the governed in order to build a more stable and just society. In this work, Rousseau makes the case that the common good should serve as any society's guiding concept and that the government should be in charge of advancing