American colonial societies, which were known as plantations, did not spring up until the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. These communities were referred to as plantations because settlers were imported from England and “planted” among the local population (Foner 56). Before that, English adventurers and sailors were more interested in raiding Spanish fleets and cities than in establishing settlements. The first settlers to America failed in their attempts to live with the local populations even though the government granted them exclusive rights and privileges. Most of the colonialists abandoned the venture and returned to England. The English colonialists had the ambition of liberating America and all its colonies from the pope. Their main intention was to spread Protestantism to the New World. The newly found colonies were run based on strict anti-Catholicism policies, considered liberty or freedom by the English Protestants.
The main challenge encountered in our group was a failure to understand why the first settlers to America could not successfully settle in their new colonies in America. It is not clear whether it was a lack of planning and economic resources that inhibited them from a complete settlement. On the other hand, one could also ask if their negative attitude towards the local communities repelled them from these lands. We also failed to understand why the English were so anti-Catholic, given that they were a religious state that respected the rights and privileges of individuals and groups in their expression of freedom. English settlers in the New Lands acted in a manner that did not define their true identity. Questions abound if they were a barbaric group that did not respect the rights of others which were not of their faith. They demonstrated a tyrannical tendency which they projected to the pope and the Catholic faith.
Works Cited
Foner, Eric. “Give Me Libert”: Beginnings of English America lecture. Fourth Edition. Seagull. 2004.