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Question

Difficulty: EasyColonial Society, Culture, and Politics

Source: Excerpt from a letter written by a Virginia planter to a merchant in London, 1738.

'I have received the carriage, the English books, and the fashionable clothing you sent on the last ship. My house is now furnished in the latest London style, and my family endeavors to live with the same refinement as the gentry of Britain. We wish to remain loyal subjects, enjoying all the liberties and customs of Englishmen.'

Which of the following colonial developments is best illustrated by the sentiments in the excerpt?

  1. The growing cultural and political Anglicization of the colonial eliteAnswer
  2. B
    The governance of local communities through democratic town meetings
  3. C
    The implementation of mercantilist trade restrictions under the Navigation Acts
  4. D
    The shift from indentured servitude to chattel slavery as the primary agricultural labor source

Answer

The correct answer states that the letter illustrates the growing cultural and political Anglicization of the colonial elite.
The option stating 'The growing cultural and political Anglicization of the colonial elite' is correct because the planter's purchase of British consumer goods, emulation of the British gentry, and desire to remain loyal subjects reflect how colonial elites adopted English culture, political beliefs, and consumer habits during the eighteenth century.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the source text to identify the author and their primary actions.
The author is a Virginia planter in 1738 who is importing British luxury goods (carriage, books, clothing) and attempting to emulate the lifestyle of the British gentry.
Understanding the author's background and actions provides the context needed to identify the broader colonial trend.
2
Evaluate the options to find the historical trend that matches the planter's behavior.
The planter's behavior of copying English fashions and identifying as a loyal subject reflects the process of Anglicization.
Anglicization is defined by colonies adopting English culture, political beliefs, and consumer habits.

Key Concept

Anglicization of the British colonies
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Topics

Colonial Society, Culture, and Politics

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