Mercantilism as a Tool for Europeans to Control Their Goods

The western hemisphere, rich in valuable resources, was desired by every colonizing nation. It was an opportunity for nations to expand their economy in the untouched land. One such nation was Great Britain, an overwhelmingly rich, strong, and economically organized European nation, that took advantage of this opportunity and established their first colony in 1607: Jamestown colony in Virginia. William Cronon, in his book, Changes in the Land, describes how the Europeans were exposed to the new cultures of the indigenous, native groups whose practices were impractical to the Europeans. By 1732, there were a total of 13 British American colonies including New England. In the New England Colonies trade, fishing, and manufacturing were common tasks that were performed by the colonists. To reestablish their colonies, the Europeans decided to rebuild the economic systems of their colonies by introducing capitalism. Through capitalism, European colonists were able to control the profit and industry of the colonies. Although the European concept of capitalism weakened the interactions between the Indians and the Europeans, it brought organization and wealth to the colonies through the trading of natural resources and the introduction of new techniques of farming and hunting.

Colonial Ambitions and Resource Exploration

As the English colonizers began to settle in colonial New England, they aimed to filter out and establish some elements of the land that could later be used for trade. For instance, they sought to discover merchantable commodities that were scarce in Europe but abundant in America. These natural products such as fur, fish, whales, and trees “could be shipped to Europe and sold at a profit in order to provide steady income for colonial settlements”. With the Europeans discovering new resources, they were able to strengthen trade between the New World and Europe. Although fish, fur, sassafras, oil and tobacco were some of the commodities that were easy to fetch, timber and maize required major environmental alteration in the New England colonies. Before European settlements were established, the Natives performed seasonal migrations which the Europeans referred to as an “underused behavior,” for the Indians would not be able to use their land or abundant crops. In other words, the English colonists thought that, due to their ways of cultivating, Indians would squander the resources that were available to them. With the introduction of maize, the Europeans did not have to perform any seasonal migrations or intensive plantation because maize did not require much attention. In addition, the colonists would “not only cut down trees to clear fields for agriculture, but also for lumbering”. Because timber and lumber were abundant in colonial New England, colonists mainly utilized them for housing and shipbuilding. One major use of lumber was with fences, for fences “marked off, not only the map of a settlement’s property rights, but its economic activities and ecological relationships as well”. With the large act of deforestation, the soil became colder in the winter and warmer in the summer, and flooding occurred more often. In addition, local temperatures were uneven and some larger rivers were dammed. The colonizers kept on clearing and burning forests with the aim of making the soil more nutritious. In effect, the nearby residents, the natives, were irritated and urged to stop the distraction as not only were the colonists disturbing but also wasteful. On the opposite, the natives would use every piece of land and resources that were available to them. For instance, they would use animal skin for clothing, and would use rock or oyster to farm, hunt, and fish. Whereas, the Europeans had their own tools made from steel that were more advanced and durable. Furthermore, with the increase in the use of lumber and certain other crops, the Europeans caused several environmental degradations in colonial New England; however, the economic impact was different.

Economic Transformation through Trade

By developing abundant merchantable commodities in its colonies, Europeans were able to strengthen their economic stance through trade. Before the settlement of Europeans, the Indians did not trade internationally but they would rather exchange personal goods with domestic groups. Once the Europeans arrived, they introduced the idea of mercantilism, in which they put restrictions on how their colonies spent their money so that they could have absolute control over their economies. Although such theories seemed controlling for the Indians, it had a huge impact on the colonies’ economic production. With vast amount profits Europeans were able to manipulate abundant resources. In following quote William Cronon discusses idea mercantilism role merchantable commodities: “The shift from Indian to English dominance in New England saw replacement earlier village system shifting agriculture hunter-gatherer activities by agriculture raised crops domesticated animals household production units contained within fixed property boundaries linked commercial markets Ultimately English property systems ...led them orient significant margin production toward commercial sale marketplace.” In other words with arrival Europeans economy colonial New England compared 1600s expanded Although Indians had not recognized huge use abundant resources Europeans sought find these merchantable commodities trade They had overview what valuable scarce which would guide successful trade Colonial New England’s economic transformation paralleled its ecological one; as region altered environmentally it integrated into emerging capitalist economy With use capitalism including mercantilism Europeans able full control over trading goods well relations defined strong ongoing economy.

Impact on Indigenous Practices

With trading natural resources introduction new techniques farming hunting Europeans brought heavy change their colonies including “economic institutions new markets new ways bounding landscape” Not only were Indians uninformed new ways European farming organization main aims living different Europeans thought produce cultivate not only domestic immediate use also trade While other hand Indians sought reach food commodities domestic use From changes brought colonies Europeans more advanced knowledge economic stability where Indians skilled plantation labor With two having strength different aspects Europeans able find point intersection take advantage both sides thus changing economy natural environment.