History Questions Essay

(1) European explorations were motivated by desire for wealth, world power and prestige. Explorers hoped to decree gold, silver and spices, new colonies to conquer and expand empires, opportunities to increase trade, and spread Christianity. Expeditions not only accomplished the missions merely in the process they discovered new and faster routes as well as advancements in mapmaking and navigation instruments.(2) Puritans relied only on the Bible for their guidance in daily life.Their strong faith in graven image is reflected in their customs, traditions and in entirely their actions. Their common faith held them together especially th about the rough times. They were strict in their interpretation and observance of the teachings of the Scriptures. They believed that hard work will earn them the rewards in heaven. Drama, apparitional music and erotic poetry were prohibited, as they may lead to evil acts. Religious music took the economic aid away from the Word of God while Dra ma and Poetry portrayed lust and immorality.They were allowed the Greek Classics and they were back up to compose their own poetry, drama and music which mustiness have religious themes.(3) Quoting from Matthew 514 a city that is set on the hill cannot be hidden, John Winthrop in 1630 addressed the Puritan colonists in New England and told them that their community was a city upon a hill watched by the world. By that he meant that they must conduct themselves in ways that God may be glorified. They must bring honor to God and His worthy followers by their actions at all times.(5) The wars in the late 17th and early eighteenth centuries brought a realization among the colonists that they were made to fight wars for the mother country that colonists have little or nil to gain from. They were made to fight wars that were not their own. As a result, the colonists conceived of declaring their independence from Britain and asserting their rights for self-governance. Britain lost in te rms of excessive taxes that it levied on the colonies for their own coffers. The colonists lost in terms of protection from a outstanding and skilled military power.The greatest gain of the colonists was their independence.(6) John Adams was for the Republican type of government, with a bicameral law-makers and the independence of the 3 branches executive, legislative and judiciary. Thomas Paine was for a Representative system of government which took in the different and individual interests of the states and their people and which governs with independence from a superior or outside means, meaning a federal official or hereditary government such as that from Britain. That eras constitution followed Thomas Paines model.(7) The strengths of the Articles of Confederation were it established an independent government where every state was represented through its Congress, its Congress had all the powers of government, and its system of government placed the power on the people thro ugh the states. The weaknesses were there was no judicial separation of powers, there was no check and balance of power as there was only one bear in Congress, Congress did not have the major powers like taxation, diplomacy, regulation of commerce and expediency to regenerate constitutional provisions.The purpose of the Articles was met, which was for the thirteen colonies to unite, but the government it created lacked significant provisions for a judiciary and an executive to carry out functions which Congress can not by itself do. Something must be done with the economic system which was not within Congress powers. George Washington believed that there must be a single power over the thirteen colonies to manage their collective affairs.