2.3 Early English Settler Accounts
3 min read•july 22, 2024
Early English settlers came to America for religious freedom, economic opportunities, and territorial expansion. Their accounts, like those of and , shaped American identity through vivid descriptions and themes of perseverance.
These writings established enduring myths of the and exceptionalism. They also documented the challenges settlers faced and their complex relationships with indigenous peoples, which had long-lasting impacts on both communities.
Early English Settler Accounts
Motivations of early English settlers
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- Religious freedom drove many settlers to the New World
- Puritans aimed to create a society that reflected their religious convictions and values
- Separatists, including the Pilgrims, sought to break away from the Church of England and practice their faith independently
- Economic opportunities lured settlers with promises of prosperity
- Potential for acquiring land and building wealth in the colonies
- Establishment of lucrative trade networks and commercial ventures (fur, tobacco)
- Expansion of English territory fueled by competition with other European nations
- Desire to establish a strong colonial presence in the Americas
- Rivalry with Spain, France, and the Netherlands for control of resources and strategic locations
Literary styles in settler accounts
- John Smith's accounts characterized by descriptive and promotional language
- Emphasized the untapped potential and riches of the New World to attract settlers and investors
- Highlighted his own leadership skills and heroic actions (Pocahontas story) to bolster his reputation
- Depicted indigenous peoples as both helpful allies and dangerous threats, reinforcing the "" trope
- Focused on the challenges faced by settlers and their ability to overcome adversity through perseverance
- William Bradford's "" written in plain, direct prose
- Writing style reflected Puritan ideals of simplicity, honesty, and clarity
- Emphasized themes of and the Puritan mission to create a godly society
- Portrayed the establishment of Plymouth Colony as part of God's plan and a testament to the settlers' faith
- Highlighted the importance of community, shared values, and religious devotion in the face of hardship
Impact on American identity
- Contributed to the enduring myth of the American frontier
- Portrayed the New World as a land of boundless opportunity and adventure, attracting future generations of settlers
- Emphasized the resilience, self-reliance, and resourcefulness of early settlers as quintessential American traits
- Influenced the development of American exceptionalism
- Promoted the idea of America as a "city upon a hill," a model society with a unique destiny and purpose
- Reinforced belief in the superiority of American values, institutions, and way of life
- Left a lasting impact on American literature and historical narratives
- Established recurring themes (frontier, individualism, divine mission) that shaped the American literary canon
- Played a crucial role in forming popular perceptions and understanding of early American history and national identity
Challenges and indigenous relationships
- Settlers faced numerous challenges in establishing viable colonies
- Constructing shelters and infrastructure in unfamiliar and often hostile environments (Jamestown, Plymouth)
- Developing effective systems of governance, law, and social organization to maintain order and stability
- Securing reliable supplies and maintaining trade connections with Europe to ensure
- Relationships with indigenous peoples marked by initial cooperation and increasing conflict
- Early settlers relied on native knowledge and assistance for navigation, food procurement (corn), and agricultural techniques
- Cultural differences, misunderstandings, and competing land use practices led to growing tensions and violence
- European diseases (smallpox, measles) decimated indigenous populations, disrupting traditional societies and power structures
- Long-term consequences of European settlement proved devastating for indigenous communities
- Displacement from ancestral lands and loss of traditional ways of life due to encroachment and forced relocation
- Massive population decline and societal collapse resulting from disease, warfare, and exploitation
- Ongoing struggles to maintain sovereignty, cultural identity, and land rights in the face of persistent and marginalization
Key Terms to Review (31)
A Description of New England: A Description of New England is a foundational text written by John Smith in 1616 that portrays the landscape, resources, and potential for settlement in the New England region. This account not only highlights the natural beauty and bountiful resources of the area but also serves as a persuasive piece aimed at attracting settlers and investors to the New World. Smith's vivid descriptions provided insights into the cultural encounters between English settlers and Native Americans while emphasizing the promise of prosperity and opportunity in New England.
A True Relation of Virginia: A True Relation of Virginia is an early English settler account written by John Smith, detailing his experiences in the Jamestown colony in 1607-1609. This narrative provides a firsthand look at the challenges and triumphs faced by settlers, as well as their interactions with Indigenous peoples. As one of the first accounts of the New World, it serves to promote colonization while also capturing the harsh realities of life in early America.
American Frontier: The American Frontier refers to the advancing edge of settlement and exploration in the United States, particularly during the 19th century as settlers moved westward into territories previously inhabited by Native Americans and other groups. This concept symbolizes both opportunity and conflict, as it embodies the pursuit of land and resources alongside the often violent encounters with indigenous peoples and the impact on their cultures.
Colonization: Colonization is the process of establishing control over a foreign territory and its people, often by settling among them and exploiting resources. This practice not only involves the physical occupation of land but also the imposition of cultural, political, and economic systems of the colonizers. It has led to significant changes in the social fabric of colonized societies, affecting everything from governance to cultural identities.
Conflict with Native Americans: Conflict with Native Americans refers to the series of disputes, battles, and negotiations between European settlers and the Indigenous peoples of North America during the colonization period. These conflicts often arose from land disputes, cultural misunderstandings, and differing worldviews about land ownership and usage, leading to significant violence and strife between the groups.
Descriptive imagery: Descriptive imagery refers to the use of vivid and detailed language that appeals to the senses, helping readers visualize scenes, characters, and events. This technique enhances the emotional impact of a narrative by creating a mental picture that immerses the audience in the experience being described. It often conveys cultural insights, emotions, and themes inherent in the text.
Divine Providence: Divine providence refers to the belief that God is actively involved in the world and governs it according to His will, providing guidance and support to humanity. This concept is integral to understanding the mindset of early settlers, the Puritan belief system, and the literature that emerged from these communities, reflecting their view of a purposeful universe where God's hand shapes events and outcomes.
Economic Opportunity: Economic opportunity refers to the chances individuals or groups have to improve their economic status through various means, such as employment, entrepreneurship, and access to resources. In the context of early English settler accounts, it highlights the motivations for colonization and the pursuit of wealth through land ownership, trade, and agriculture. The quest for economic opportunity played a pivotal role in shaping the experiences and narratives of those who ventured to the New World.
Elizabethan Literature: Elizabethan Literature refers to the body of works produced during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I from 1558 to 1603. This period is marked by a flourishing of English drama and poetry, most notably represented by playwrights like William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe, whose works explored complex themes of love, power, and the human condition. This era also coincided with the early English colonial endeavors, as writers documented their experiences and reflections on these new lands.
Exploration: Exploration refers to the act of traveling to new territories, seeking knowledge, resources, and opportunities, often in the context of colonization or trade. In the early English settler accounts, exploration was a vital component of their efforts to understand and navigate unfamiliar lands, leading to encounters with indigenous peoples and the establishment of settlements.
First-person narrative: A first-person narrative is a style of storytelling where the narrator is also a character in the story, using first-person pronouns like 'I' and 'we' to convey their personal experiences and perspectives. This approach allows readers to experience events through the narrator's eyes, providing an intimate glimpse into their thoughts and feelings. It often emphasizes subjective interpretation and personal reflection, making it a powerful tool in conveying emotions and building connections with readers.
Interaction with Native Americans: Interaction with Native Americans refers to the various encounters, exchanges, and relationships that developed between European settlers and Indigenous peoples in North America during the early colonial period. These interactions were complex and multifaceted, involving trade, cultural exchange, conflict, and cooperation, and they significantly influenced the course of American history as settlers attempted to establish their presence in a land already inhabited by diverse Native American communities.
Jamestown Founding: The founding of Jamestown in 1607 marked the first permanent English settlement in North America, established by the Virginia Company. This event is significant as it represents the beginning of English colonization in the New World, setting the stage for future settlements and interactions with Indigenous populations.
John Smith: John Smith was an English soldier, explorer, and author known for his role in the establishment of the Jamestown colony in Virginia in 1607. His accounts of the New World provide valuable insights into the experiences of early English settlers and their interactions with Native Americans, making him a key figure in early American literature and history.
Journal: A journal is a personal record or log that documents daily experiences, thoughts, and reflections, often written by an individual. In the context of early English settler accounts, journals served as vital historical documents that provided insights into the challenges, discoveries, and everyday life of settlers in a new and often harsh environment.
Letter: A letter is a written message directed from one person to another, often used for communication purposes. In the context of early English settler accounts, letters served as important documents that conveyed personal experiences, observations, and reflections on life in the New World. These letters not only provided insights into the settlers' motivations and challenges but also contributed to the broader narrative of colonial exploration and settlement.
Narrative: A narrative is a structured account of a sequence of events or experiences, often presented in the form of a story. Narratives can serve various purposes, including informing, entertaining, or persuading an audience. In the context of early English settler accounts, narratives are crucial for understanding how these settlers conveyed their experiences, perspectives, and the challenges they faced in the New World.
Noble Savage: The term 'noble savage' refers to an idealized concept of indigenous peoples, portraying them as untainted by the corruption of civilization and embodying innate goodness and virtue. This idea often contrasts the perceived moral decay of European society, suggesting that individuals in their natural state possess a purity and simplicity that is lost through the complexities of modern life. The noble savage concept is frequently reflected in early writings about exploration and settlement, presenting a romanticized view of native cultures.
Noble savage: The term 'noble savage' refers to the idea that primitive humans, or those living in a state of nature, possess innate goodness and a sense of morality that is corrupted by the complexities of civilization. This concept highlights a romanticized view of indigenous peoples as living harmoniously with nature, contrasting sharply with the perceived corruption and moral decline of European society. It emerged in literature and philosophical discussions during the exploration era, providing a lens through which explorers and settlers viewed the New World and its inhabitants.
Of Plymouth Plantation: Of Plymouth Plantation is a historical account written by William Bradford, chronicling the experiences of the Pilgrims from their departure from England to their settlement in America. This work is notable for its detailed narrative of the struggles, triumphs, and the daily lives of the early settlers, showcasing their motivations for leaving England, interactions with Native Americans, and the establishment of a new community based on their Puritan beliefs.
Pastoral tradition: The pastoral tradition is a literary and artistic concept that idealizes rural life and the simplicity of nature, often contrasting it with the complexities and corruptions of urban existence. This tradition celebrates the beauty of pastoral settings and the harmonious relationship between humans and their natural surroundings, reflecting themes of nostalgia, innocence, and the longing for a simpler way of life.
Plymouth Colony Establishment: The Plymouth Colony was established in 1620 by a group of English Pilgrims seeking religious freedom. This settlement, located in present-day Massachusetts, became one of the earliest successful colonies in North America and played a pivotal role in the early history of the United States. The Pilgrims' journey on the Mayflower and their subsequent establishment of a self-governing community set a precedent for future colonies.
Plymouth Rock: Plymouth Rock is a historic site located in Plymouth, Massachusetts, recognized as the traditional landing place of the Pilgrims in 1620. This rock symbolizes the beginning of European settlement in New England and has become a powerful emblem of American history and identity.
Puritanism: Puritanism was a religious reform movement that emerged in the late 16th and early 17th centuries, aiming to purify the Church of England from remnants of Catholicism and promote a strict adherence to biblical principles. This movement emphasized personal piety, community morality, and a commitment to an austere lifestyle, profoundly shaping early American culture and literature.
Renaissance Humanism: Renaissance Humanism is an intellectual movement that emerged during the Renaissance, focusing on the study of classical texts from ancient Greece and Rome. It emphasized the value of human beings, individualism, and the potential for personal achievement, shifting the focus from religious dogma to human experience and rational thought. This movement laid the groundwork for a new understanding of humanity that would influence literature, art, and education.
Renaissance Literature: Renaissance literature refers to the body of work produced during the Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in art, science, and the classical knowledge of ancient Greece and Rome, spanning roughly from the 14th to the 17th century. This literature is characterized by its emphasis on humanism, individualism, and a revival of classical themes, showcasing a shift away from medieval traditions. The works of this era often explore human nature, society, and the complexities of life, and they laid the foundation for modern Western literature.
Savagery: Savagery refers to the state of being fierce, violent, or uncontrolled, often contrasted with civilization and order. In early English settler accounts, this term was commonly used to describe Indigenous peoples and their ways of life, reflecting the settlers' perceptions and biases that framed non-European cultures as primitive and barbaric.
Survival: Survival refers to the act of continuing to live or exist, especially in challenging or adverse conditions. In early English settler accounts, survival embodies the struggles, strategies, and resilience demonstrated by settlers in a new land filled with uncertainties, including harsh climates, unfamiliar environments, and the need to establish self-sustaining communities amidst potential threats.
The Generall Historie of Virginia: The Generall Historie of Virginia is a written account by Captain John Smith published in 1624, detailing the early years of the English settlement at Jamestown, Virginia. This narrative offers insights into the challenges faced by settlers, interactions with Native Americans, and the evolving dynamics of colonial life, making it a crucial source for understanding early English settler experiences in America.
The Starving Time: The Starving Time refers to the winter of 1609-1610, a harrowing period in the early history of the Jamestown settlement in Virginia, during which colonists faced extreme food shortages and starvation. This time is often highlighted in early English settler accounts as a testament to the struggles faced by those attempting to establish a permanent settlement in the New World. The dire conditions led to the death of a significant portion of the population and left lasting implications for future colonization efforts and relations with Indigenous peoples.
William Bradford: William Bradford was an English Puritan separatist who played a crucial role in the early colonization of America as a leader of the Pilgrims. He served as the governor of the Plymouth Colony for many years and is best known for his writings, particularly 'Of Plymouth Plantation,' which provides a detailed account of the settlement's early years and reflects the values and struggles of the Pilgrims during their journey and settlement in the New World.