Homework One Answers - Student Eight

1. Which time period or periods in American History do you expect to enjoy studying the most? Why?

I look forward to learning about the American policies that were placed into effect during the Cold War. This is one areas of American history I have yet to study in detail and I am curious to study the reactions of America to the Communist agenda.

That is a fascinating time period. I feel fortunate to have lived through part of it.

4. True or false: the Puritans came to America in order to separate church from state (government). Explain.

False: much of the system of the colony’s laws were tied to the practices within the Church of the Puritans. This continued to the point of taxes funding the church and the populace needing to be part of the church just to live in the area. The only colony that supported pure separation between Church and State was Rhode Island and they had nothing to do with the founding of the nation.

Terrific answer. May use as the model answer!

5. Why do you think Philadelphia became the most populated city in North America by the mid-1700s, and the second most populated city (after London) in the entire British Empire?

Pennsylvania as a State wasn't like Massachusetts in that it accepted all people no matter what their religious beliefs. This openness is what drew so many people to Pennsylvania and as such its economy flourished. Its capital, Philadelphia, quickly became the most populated city in the American colonies. It is nice to notice that as the United States began to copy Pennsylvania's open relations our country became very successful and thousands each year journeyed to this country to start a life in the "Land of Freedom". The freedom of religion and thoughts, forged through William Penn's ideas, effected the future of America and still effects us today.

Another fantastic answer. (note spelling: still Affects us today)

6. Pick one of the questions or topics from the lecture, and explain your view.

Q. Were the Puritans right to be strict and to expel people of other religions?

A. In current American culture it is unpopular to exclude people for any reason from anything, but that view isn't always correct. There comes a time (especially in religion) when lines must be drawn for the sake of the followers. In the Epistles of Paul it is written that a Christian fellowship must drive the immoral or lost from their "Fellowship." (1st Corinthians 5) One must understand that nowadays we view a Christian fellowship as a local church. These settlers, however, viewed their entire settlement as their fellowship and as such viewed any disagreeing denomination as a threat to their children and way of life. They had just left the religious nightmare of denominational Europe and now sought to keep their way of life secure in such a vulnerable time as when they settled in America. They saw other ideas and lifestyles as threatening and sought to shield themselves in their fellowship.

It must be noted that I completely disagree with them for their actions against those who disagreed with them. It is impossible to raise one hand in love for God while at the time bringing the sword down upon their fellow man. Love must be expressed by one's action and the Puritans defiantly showed a lack of love and respect for their neighbors. They stand as another poor witness of Christ to the world living in darkness. They left religious persecution in Europe only to bring it in many ways to America.

Excellent answer that fully addresses both sides of the issue. The cite to Paul is right on point. May use this as a model answer.

7. In what ways did the colonies help build the economic strength of England?

The colonies helped in two ways; first they gave England taxes, second they sent raw materials to Britain and required them to manufacture products for the colonies that they couldn't make in America. This gave the British Empire a wonderful position to continuously profit from the birth of the American colonies.

Terrific.

8. Spain settled America before England did. So why is the United States an English-speaking nation, rather than a Spanish speaking one?

The Spanish were coming to the Americas looking for gold and other short term goods, they didn’t come to develop communities and raise families. The lack of gold in North America kept them from really navigating north. There was nothing in the short run for them to plunder, as many of their conquistadors had the habit of doing, and so they kept the north as the least of their priorities. The loss of the Spanish Armada to the British Fleet also was the deciding battle that determined control of the seas ultimately would belong to the British, making them unable to continue creating colonies against British wishes.

Good answer, but I don't think this tells the full story. Systems of organization played a role too. After all, the Spanish did establish some settlements, as in St. Augustine, but the organization was not as good as the English system. (Minus 1)

James G.

Terrific homework, one of the best in the class! 59/60.--Andy Schlafly 23:01, 12 February 2011 (EST)