Date of Award
8-2008
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.A.
Degree Program
History
Department
History
Major Professor
Wilson, Jeffrey K.
Second Advisor
Billings, Warren
Third Advisor
Bodet, Gerald
Abstract
Environmental historians usually discuss American colonists as if they were all the same. Thus, the Puritan communities that grew rapidly after John Winthrop's arrival in 1630 often overshadow the earlier Separatist colony at Plymouth, which leads to the assumption that all settlers acted in similar ways with regard to land use and the environment. By analyzing Bradford and Winthrop, it becomes possible to see a different picture of colonization in New England. It becomes evident that deforestation happened over time, and in spite of early resistance. It is also clear that colonial settlers viewed resources in different ways. The authorities strictly regulated land use and ownership, but there were fewer restrictions on exportable resources like fur and later timber. Population change and the growth of a proto-capitalist market in the post-1630 Puritan communities as well as a gradual shift from communalism to individualism led to deforestation in New England.
Recommended Citation
George, Jeremy, "Bradford and Winthrop: Different Approaches to Colonial New England" (2008). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 827.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/827
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.