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America's Forgotten Colonial History
This is what we all learned in Pilgrims on the Mayflower landed at Plymouth Rock in 1620. They had a rough start, but ultimately made a go of it, made friends with the Indians, and celebrated with a big Thanksgiving dinner. Other uptight religious Puritans followed them and the whole place became New England. There were some Dutch down in New York, and sooner or later William Penn and the Quakers came to build the City of Brotherly Love in Pennsylvania, and finally it was 1776 and time to revolt against King George III and become America.
That’s it. That’s the narrative of American colonial history known to one and all. Yet there are 150 years – six or seven generations between Plymouth Plantation and the 1770s – that are virtually unknown in our national consciousness and unaccounted for in our American narrative.
Who, what, when, where and why people were motivated to make a two-month crossing on the North Atlantic to carve a life in a largely uncharted, inhospitable wilderness? How and why did they build the varied societies that they did here in the New World colonies? How and why did we become America?
America’s Forgotten Colonial History tells that story.
That’s it. That’s the narrative of American colonial history known to one and all. Yet there are 150 years – six or seven generations between Plymouth Plantation and the 1770s – that are virtually unknown in our national consciousness and unaccounted for in our American narrative.
Who, what, when, where and why people were motivated to make a two-month crossing on the North Atlantic to carve a life in a largely uncharted, inhospitable wilderness? How and why did they build the varied societies that they did here in the New World colonies? How and why did we become America?
America’s Forgotten Colonial History tells that story.
- GenresAmerican HistoryHistory
240 pages, Hardcover
Published August 21, 2019
17 people are currently reading
51 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
December 3, 2023
I absolutely adore the writing style of this author. The way he connects the dots between the history and emotions before and after the Revolutionary times in America is simply wonderful. He has a unique gift for simplifying the complicated centuries of European history, which greatly influenced the heritage that America would come to adopt.
I took my time going through this book and learned so much from this author. It would make a great coffee table book and conversation starter.
I'm incredibly grateful that I found this book gem.
CONSIDER READING IF... You are an appreciative American who desires to delve deeper into the narrative of US history beyond the very brief one that most of us were taught.
I took my time going through this book and learned so much from this author. It would make a great coffee table book and conversation starter.
I'm incredibly grateful that I found this book gem.
CONSIDER READING IF... You are an appreciative American who desires to delve deeper into the narrative of US history beyond the very brief one that most of us were taught.
November 25, 2020
It’s a very interesting and readable study of the formation of colonial America long before the events that led to the American Revolution. We have all learned that the migration to the North American continent was in pursuit of religious freedom, but without the background of the changing views that came with reining Royalty. This resulted in multiple migrations with varied approaches to settlement locations, governance and cooperation with both the indigenous native population and the settlers that preceded them.
The book prompted me to wonder about how post revolution immigration was influenced by religion and/or what are the current factors most evident in immigration.
The book prompted me to wonder about how post revolution immigration was influenced by religion and/or what are the current factors most evident in immigration.
March 30, 2024
The title of this book piqued my interest. I know very little of the period between the pilgrims landing at Plymouth Rock in 1620 and the Revolutionary War. This book provide insight regarding the political and religious happenings in England during that time-period. The English civil war surrounded the struggle over religious control by the ruling family. They seemed so obsessed and distracted by religious control, including trying to force Scotland to abide by the religious dictates of London, that they ignored the economic welfare of the country. This civil war continued to drive the migration to the British Colonies in America.
When the Stuart family was ousted at the end of the British civil war, the royalists were seeking a safe refuge. Governor Berkley of Virgina offered them just what they were looking for, which explains where all the southern plantation owner came from. That helped me to understand the difference in the mindset between the New England attitude of hard work, as compared to the laidback sophisticated airs of southerners along with the need for cheap labor and the need for servants (the royalists not being of the working class). Another difference was education, emphasized in the north, seen as a stepping-stone to advancement, developing preachers and schoolteachers (eight colleges establish). Whereas education was looked down on in the south, where they were grateful for not having free schools to create dissenters (only one college, for the plantation owner sons). This difference reflected the allegiance toward parliament (northerns) and the monarchy (southerners), and ultimately set the stage for the eventual American civil war.
It also addresses the relationships between the colonists and the various Indian tribes. The Indians introduced the colonists to tobacco, so we can thank them for our tobacco habit and deaths from lung cancer. Although the Europeans brought diseases that kills the Indian tribes, before the Europeans arrived it was tuberculosis from seals that was most devastating. The Indians mostly sold land to the colonists, quite different than the 1880 Indian wars in the west. Thery also taught the colonist to plant corn in the center, with beans around them, then squash as an outer ring. Thereby providing stalk for the beans to climb up and the squash provided shade to retain moisture in the soil.
King Charles II died in 1685 without leaving a legitimate heir, Parliament did not want King James II to become King of England, because his family was Catholic. So, Parliament looked toward the Netherlands. In 1688 William of Orange, with his wife Mary Stuart (daughter of Henry VII) became King and Queen of England. But only with the understanding that they would reign as co-monarchs together. Too bad the co-monarch method of rule didn’t take hold.
When the Stuart family was ousted at the end of the British civil war, the royalists were seeking a safe refuge. Governor Berkley of Virgina offered them just what they were looking for, which explains where all the southern plantation owner came from. That helped me to understand the difference in the mindset between the New England attitude of hard work, as compared to the laidback sophisticated airs of southerners along with the need for cheap labor and the need for servants (the royalists not being of the working class). Another difference was education, emphasized in the north, seen as a stepping-stone to advancement, developing preachers and schoolteachers (eight colleges establish). Whereas education was looked down on in the south, where they were grateful for not having free schools to create dissenters (only one college, for the plantation owner sons). This difference reflected the allegiance toward parliament (northerns) and the monarchy (southerners), and ultimately set the stage for the eventual American civil war.
It also addresses the relationships between the colonists and the various Indian tribes. The Indians introduced the colonists to tobacco, so we can thank them for our tobacco habit and deaths from lung cancer. Although the Europeans brought diseases that kills the Indian tribes, before the Europeans arrived it was tuberculosis from seals that was most devastating. The Indians mostly sold land to the colonists, quite different than the 1880 Indian wars in the west. Thery also taught the colonist to plant corn in the center, with beans around them, then squash as an outer ring. Thereby providing stalk for the beans to climb up and the squash provided shade to retain moisture in the soil.
King Charles II died in 1685 without leaving a legitimate heir, Parliament did not want King James II to become King of England, because his family was Catholic. So, Parliament looked toward the Netherlands. In 1688 William of Orange, with his wife Mary Stuart (daughter of Henry VII) became King and Queen of England. But only with the understanding that they would reign as co-monarchs together. Too bad the co-monarch method of rule didn’t take hold.
December 8, 2019
We all learned American Colonial history ... 1600s and the Pilgrims, the Puritans, Jamestown, Thanksgiving ... and then our lessons jump to the Revolutionary War, Boson Tea Party, etc. But, there is so much history about the colonials in the late 1600s and early 1700s that I did not know.
I think the most memorable revelation was the great differences between the Virginians and the New Englanders and then the Pennsylvanians. Unless we Americans understand those differences, it is difficult to really understand our country. In general, Virginia was populated by 'aristocrats', royalists 'escaping' Cromwell's England. The immigrants to Virginia were utterly loyal to the Crown. In fact, Virginia was advertised as “the last refuge of Royalists.”
New England was populated by religious dissenters where the primary requirement for membership in the community was conformity—both religious and social. The colonials' ability to survive and thrive on the frontier in New England depended upon solidarity as a community, and very little on the doings of a remote central government....a completely new idea to any European! Success depended on character and ability rather than their gentility ... far different than the Virginians.
In fact, "The two societies emerging in the English colonies of the New World in the mid-seventeenth century could scarcely have been more different."
Then there was the settlement of Pennsylvania by Quakers who determined not to impose on others the strictures of religious conformity! William Penn’s religious and political ideals—including tolerance and moderation were the foundation of the next wave of immigrants to America.
The entire book is filled with revelations about the years 1650 to 1750....such formative years to our country!
I have to admit I skimmed the details, and there was a lot, about the Seven Years' War/French & Indian War. But, now I realize how important that conflict was to developing our country.
Most memorable quotes:
"we were the first nation in the world formed as an explicitly Protestant country"
"With every generation that passed, New England colonists had fewer ties with, less knowledge of, and less loyalty to the social mores and political cultural of the mother country."
"a new world indeed, where every citizen was equally part of the community, where the distinctions of rank and birth that formed English society were absent."
I LOVED this analogy:
"With its roots in the royalist, Anglican cause, the voices speaking for Virginia and her southern neighbors cried for “Liberty.” They sought the traditional liberties of the English aristocracy and land owning citizens."
VERSUS The "firebrands of the northern colonies, however, were fighting for the “Freedom” of individual citizens."
I think the most memorable revelation was the great differences between the Virginians and the New Englanders and then the Pennsylvanians. Unless we Americans understand those differences, it is difficult to really understand our country. In general, Virginia was populated by 'aristocrats', royalists 'escaping' Cromwell's England. The immigrants to Virginia were utterly loyal to the Crown. In fact, Virginia was advertised as “the last refuge of Royalists.”
New England was populated by religious dissenters where the primary requirement for membership in the community was conformity—both religious and social. The colonials' ability to survive and thrive on the frontier in New England depended upon solidarity as a community, and very little on the doings of a remote central government....a completely new idea to any European! Success depended on character and ability rather than their gentility ... far different than the Virginians.
In fact, "The two societies emerging in the English colonies of the New World in the mid-seventeenth century could scarcely have been more different."
Then there was the settlement of Pennsylvania by Quakers who determined not to impose on others the strictures of religious conformity! William Penn’s religious and political ideals—including tolerance and moderation were the foundation of the next wave of immigrants to America.
The entire book is filled with revelations about the years 1650 to 1750....such formative years to our country!
I have to admit I skimmed the details, and there was a lot, about the Seven Years' War/French & Indian War. But, now I realize how important that conflict was to developing our country.
Most memorable quotes:
"we were the first nation in the world formed as an explicitly Protestant country"
"With every generation that passed, New England colonists had fewer ties with, less knowledge of, and less loyalty to the social mores and political cultural of the mother country."
"a new world indeed, where every citizen was equally part of the community, where the distinctions of rank and birth that formed English society were absent."
I LOVED this analogy:
"With its roots in the royalist, Anglican cause, the voices speaking for Virginia and her southern neighbors cried for “Liberty.” They sought the traditional liberties of the English aristocracy and land owning citizens."
VERSUS The "firebrands of the northern colonies, however, were fighting for the “Freedom” of individual citizens."
September 9, 2024
How easy it is for us to remember the yoke that our forefathers threw off during the American Revolution, sometimes forgetting the positive ways by which British accomplishments contributed to the colonies. Dr. Huntley seamlessly moves the
reader from seminal events in the British Isles to their effect on migration to the Americas. Painting the settlement of the colonies with a broad brush, this book examines the great variety of forces that summoned very disparate independent groups to a wilderness which became the United States of America.
Who said history was a dry subject? Not this writer. Dr. Huntley can introduce you to the various peoples who became our forefathers. You will have stumbled into a mighty drama from which continues to this day.
reader from seminal events in the British Isles to their effect on migration to the Americas. Painting the settlement of the colonies with a broad brush, this book examines the great variety of forces that summoned very disparate independent groups to a wilderness which became the United States of America.
Who said history was a dry subject? Not this writer. Dr. Huntley can introduce you to the various peoples who became our forefathers. You will have stumbled into a mighty drama from which continues to this day.
January 30, 2021
The book claims to fill a void of time that people may be ignorant of. For the author to mention the colonies' religious differences as being extreme, compared to an enlightened America in the 21st Century is puzzling and quite bold. Not only that, but Native Americans are referred to as "Indians" throughout the book, which is such an outdated term I'm surprised it made it to print. These, plus lack of any bibliography or referencing, make for a disappointing read.
August 10, 2022
I really enjoyed this book. I'm familiar with medieval British history and local history (which is my job to know), but the period between 1620 and 1776 was largely unknown to me, both here and in Britain. Most people forget that British history is our history and this book did a very good job of tying both countries' histories together. This is a great book for genealogists to read in order to better understand the religious, political, and socio-economic background of their ancestors.
August 13, 2020
A good introduction to Colonial History
November 24, 2021
What is great about this book is that it shows how the real story of American History is directly related to English History starting in the late 15th Century.
September 15, 2024
Thick but not dry. Some very good info on migration.
Last pages are great.
Last pages are great.
January 8, 2025
Excellent narrative writing style that made it easy to follow the prehistory of our nation!
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews