"We came hither to plant ourselves, our wives, and our children, to enjoy the liberty of the Gospel in purity and peace, establishing a town of believers separate from the native inhabitants of this land."
— Adapted from a New England settler's letter, 1635
Based on the excerpt, which of the following was a primary characteristic of the British colonization model in New England?
- It relied on the migration of entire families to establish permanent agricultural communities based on religious principles.Answer
- BIt relied primarily on single male indentured servants to cultivate large-scale cash crops like tobacco.
- CIt focused on extracting mineral wealth through the forced labor of Native Americans under the encomienda system.
- DIt was designed to enrich the mother country by immediately replacing all temporary contract laborers with chattel slaves.
Answer
It relied on the migration of entire families to establish permanent agricultural communities based on religious principles.
The correct option is supported by the excerpt's mention of families ('wives, and our children') and religious goals ('liberty of the Gospel'). This aligns with the historical reality of British colonization in New England, which focused on establishing family-based, self-sustaining agricultural communities centered around Puritan religious principles.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
British New England colonization was characterized by family migration, agricultural communities, and religious motivations, which contrasted with other European and regional British models.