Colonies Podcast

Text

Welcome to another edition of a Short Man's Short Introductions to U.S. History. Each time we do this, we provide a brief overview of a topic in American history. At the end of each podcast, we ask a couple of discussion questions, which you are expected to discuss in the next class period. This time around, colonies!

Colonies. Why do we need 'em? Why did England need 'em?

In 1620, a group of pilgrims, led by William Bradford, arrived in America. They originally left England because they didn't like the way the King was running the church. Love the sinner, hate the sin, start your own church on the other side of the planet.

Ten years later, in 1620, they were joined by the Puritans. These guys had originally disagreed with the Pilgrims' decision to leave England, preferring to reform the church from within. The thing is, everybody else got so annoyed with these guys that they were forced to leave, too. They landed in America and formed the Massachusetts' Bay Colony. Eventually, they would run into and absorb the Plymouth Colony founded by the earlier pilgrims—the same guys they had basically called stupid for leaving England. Awkward. . . .

Of course, before any of this happened, a group of opportunists had founded Jamestown, in 1607. This settlement was established for the purposes making a quick buck from gold mining, and also to establish a solid foothold in North America for England. You see, England had come a little late to the exploration party and needed to quickly establish some sort of bragging rights. A mere eighteen failed attempts later, and voila! Jamestown.

Basically, it all comes down to the three Gs. These are the three main reasons the English, or pretty much anybody throughout history, would leave their home and set out to colonize a new place. Gold, God, and Glory. If you have those three, what else could you possibly need?

So, what are some reasons you might be convinced to leave home and set out for a new life on the other side of the world? Would it be one of the three Gs? Or would you be willing to leave for something else? Ice cream, maybe?

Please be prepared to discuss your answers to these questions the next time we meet. Music for this podcast was provided by freeplaymusic.com, with vocal talents provided by your very own Mr. Vance.

Music

"A Walk in the Sun," freeplaymusic.com