1. How did the Great War for Empire change the relationship between England and its American colonies?

The Great War of empire popularly known as The French and Indian War or Seven Years’ War, is a historic conflict between Britain and American colonies. The war happened from 1756-1763 lasting for seven good years and had significant change to political, economical and ideological relationship between Britain and American colonies. Although the Great Britain conquered French and its allies, this victory came at great cost. To start with, the unfair taxation of the colonists brought about a surge in trade that boosted colonial consumption and consequently an increase in debt levels. The increased debt burden was transferred to the people through increased taxes and strict regulations on commonly used items. This was very harsh to the economy of the Great Britain and citizens felt very agitated as they had to bear the heavy tax burden. Although Britain attributed the economic burden to increase in territorial boundaries, the increase was purely as a result of the conflict and the high tax levels were unjustified. The colonists felt agitated by the tax burden and this lead to sour relationship.

Besides the economical changes resulting from increased debt, the War also had significant political changes. For instance, the British abandoned their salutary neglect policy. After the Seven year war, England was left with deep debt that had accumulated over the years. As a result, the relationship between the colonist and England broke down as a result of the plummeting taxation and the subsequent regulation of consumer goods. Prior to this war, Americans shipped their materials to Britain. Nevertheless, with the new tax structures, mercantilism was abandoned as a sign of resistance from the colonists.  In essence, the taxation restructuring added to the resentment colonists felt before the proclamation of 1763. The war also played a role in helping American soldiers to realize that they had less liberty than the Englishmen which also increased the resentment of the colonists to the British.

Another notable contribution of the French and Indian war is the American Revolution. The revolution brought up colonial feelings of resentment towards Britain.  It is also imperative to note that the revolution brought up colonial feelings of resentment towards Englishmen. Also the revolution cause a change in political relationship between the colonists and the master since the British were forced to unfairly tax them due to economical struggles. As a sign of their agitation, the colonists decided to boycott their business activities which lead to a damaged economic relationship between the two.  The Proclamation of 1763 forbade white colonists from settling west of the Appalachian Mountains. This move only worsened the relationship between Britain and the colonists as they felt that their rights to be free were neglected. Consequently, the colonists ignored the proclamation and increased resentment towards the British. The Proclamation, in essence, forbade colonists from settling or buying land west of the Appalachians and it made the colonies outraged because many of them had already acquired land in that area. To sum it up, The Great War of Empire had significant political, economic and ideological changes that ensured that America would never be the same again.

2. Why did Britain switch to a Southern military strategy? Why did that strategy ultimately fail?

The American revolutionary war is a historic moment to the history of America. This was an armed conflict between the thirteen states of the former American colonies and the kingdom of Great Britain. Initially, the conflict was centered in the north before the British decided to shift it to the south thus bringing the concept of ‘’the southern strategy’’.  There are varied reasons as to why the British opted to the strategy and also different explanations as to why the strategy ultimately failed. To start with, the British strategy was to defend the West Indies and capture the potential areas of Virginia, Georgia and Carolinas that were rich in tobacco and rice growing. After conquering, the British hoped to use the Scottish highlanders in the Carolinas and other loyalists to hold them.

Another reason why the British opted the southern strategy is the fact that the British believed that there were so many loyalists living in the south. They were therefore convinced that these loyalists would offer the necessary support to conquer the Americans. Also, the British hoped to exploit the racial divisions within the southern society. Britain hoped to take advantage of the Native Americans allies like the Cherokees and utilize the many loyalists in the southern colonies.  French attacks in the West Indies and the southern slave colonies were another reason behind the southern strategy.

Initially, the southern strategy seemed a success as the British were able to conquer some places like the Savannah, Charleston and Camden. Nevertheless, the strategy ultimately failed for a number of reasons. To start with, there were not as many loyalists willing to collaborate as the British might have thought. Although they were loyalists, they feared engaging in war for fear of retaliation attacks and hence they decided to stay neutral. Also, I the south, the war was more like of a guerilla war. The guerilla strategy worked against the Britain as they were never accorded a chance to strike a decisive blow as they got depleted of supply and manpower.

Another reason why the strategy ultimately failed is the Holland’s declaration of war against Britain as well as the French dispatching troops to the North America mainland. These rivals helped the colonists to conquer Britain. For instance, the role played by the French navy at Yorktown cannot be underestimated. The French naval forces were instrumental to the failure of the strategy as they provided the colonists with the much needed aid.  Also the British did not know the land as the colonists did and this was a great disadvantage to the British. In essence, there were so many reasons to the adoption of the southern strategy as well as the ultimate failure of the strategy. Underestimation of the growing patriotism in the south coupled with logistical challenges were the primary reasons why the southern strategy was a never a success.

3.Why did Protestant Christianity and Protestant women emerge as forces for social change?
Protestant reformation is historic moment that has great significance to the modern church. This is a period when the people started seeing faults in the catholic doctrine that had dominated the world for long. As a result, the Protestants started breaking way from the catholic doctrine and started forming their own church groups. The Protestant Revolution resulted in the abolition of convents and nunneries in the new Protestant religions. The protestant reform had significance contribution not only to religious reforms but also in the social settings especially amongst women. The first Puritans were not as socially liberal as they are today.  Warfare and technology advancements, which often received pushback from the Protestant Church, are in large part responsible for the shift in social reform.

It is essential to point out that the protestant reformation started in Europe and spread to America as Protestants escaped torture from the catholic dominated European countries. The second awakening came along with real diversity in terms of Christian religion into the American culture. This awakening coincided with the end of the civil war that had brought about significant changes to the role of women in the American society. The war had resulted into many deaths of men thus leaving many homes without men and hence women had to take the roles that were male presupposed. This lead the society to accepting the role of women, not only in the society but also in political and religious matters.

Because the Second Awakening aroused such pious enthusiasm in many Americans, religion became a central force in political life; some urged the United States to become an evangelical Christian nation dedicated to religious conversion at home and abroad. The Ideologies of these denominations spread to so many people, and so influenced them, that they believed that they should help each other whether by paying taxes (for school) or by giving charitably, or by Christian republicanism in the South added a sacred dimension to the ideology of aristocratic republicanism, while Southern blacks adapted the teachings of the Protestant churches to their own needs.

Besides their roles in the society, women were also accorded more free time due to technology advancement. The reforms leaf to some women choosing to work outside the home, and even those who opted to work at home had more freedom than previously held. Women could easily forge ahead their ideas as they felt more politically accepted in the society.  Protestant women were more part of society and therefore grew to quickly use the political machine to push social change.  As the number of protestant churches increased, more and more women got the opportunity to get leading positions in these churches thus making them more active. They were allowed because technology and social migration encouraged them to be part of society. In essence, the second awakening had significant impact to the lives of women, especially in their quest for social, political and cultural equality. The protestant reformation served to increase confidence amongst women that they had an important role as a positive force for political and social change in the American society. In essence, the protestant reforms had instrumental role in increasing the role of women in the society ad it was not subject to the strict demands of the Pope or male hierarchy.

4. How did plantation crops and the slavery system change between 1800 and 1860? Why did these changes occur?

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