Settlers In America

Settlers and North America

Settlers are people who have migrated from the land of their birth to live permanently in colonies. These colonies, or settlements are mostly controlled, politicaly and/or militarily by their "mother countries". These countries often sent new expeditions into the unknown areas to find new paths to India or in search for gold. They protected colonists with their military troops and controlled economy of colonies. They could also impose taxes and restrictions upon colonists. In the case of British colonies in North America, the control over colonies wasn't very strict, and the image of free colourful land with enough space for everybody, as it was presented at the time brought many people into the new world, where they had to work hard for almost everything.

Phases and types of colonization

The first phase of modern European activity in this region began with the oceanic crossings of Christopher Columbus (1492-1500), sponsored by Spain. Later other countries sent their explorers to search the riches of the new world. Soon, Spanish started to conquer Indian empires in Middle and South America, finding incredible amounts of gold along the way.

Inspired by the conquest of the Aztecs, Incas, and other large Native American populations in the sixteenth century, the first Englishmen expected the same when they first established a settlement in Jamestown, Virginia. It took strong leaders like John Smith to convince the colonists of Jamestown that searching for gold was not taking care of their immediate needs and that "he who shall not work shall not eat."

There were also another types of colonists. Adventurers like Francis Drake sought to plunder the wealth of spanish settlers.

Another stream of settlers consisted of those searching for asylum to practice a religion without persecution, like Pilgrims, Zionists and Mormons .

Others came because of economic reasons. Many English farmers had been pushed off their lands due to the expanse of livestock raising and overcrowding in the countryside.

A very different type of settlers was created by forced immigration. Slavery under European rule began with importation of white European slaves (or indentured servants), followed by the enslavement of local aborigines in the Caribbean. As the native populations declined through disease, they were replaced by Africans imported through a large slave trade.

The last, and quite different type of settlers was that consisting of prisoners exported from Britain because of the lack of space in full british prisons. This export lasted until the War of Independence.

Life in the colonies - The Beginnings

Life in these new settlements wasn't easy. Colonies were founded not immediately at the coast, because of a threat from Spanish Navy fleet. But it wasn't much safer in the inland. Colonists had always to be prepared to defend their homes from attacks of native inhabitants.

First settlers were also poorly equipped for the life they found in their new homes and had to wait for shipments from their home lands. This type of country with dense forests was something unusual to British farmers, so it was often very difficult to get used to it. Woods were full of wild animals threatening lone explorers. On the other hand, lands were filled with deers and other natural resources. The new world offered everything that was needed for a happy life outside the civilized world. Yet it took many sleepless nights before colonists could sleep with a feeling of safety.

First important thing to accomplish this was to build a colony itself. Houses were made of wood, the cheapest and ever-present material. Usually a central building was built in the middle of a colony and served as a meeting place for inhabitants of colony. Colonies were then surrounded by light wooden pallisades or fences as a protection from animals. Some larger colonies built their fort as a place of retreat in case of a great danger. Also outposts or scout towers were build in free areas, so probable danger could be easily and early enough spotted. To build these basic structures required hard work from every member of community. Discipline was very important. Mental, as well as psychical strength was necessary