Early American Settlements :: essays research papers

How Much is Too Much?In order for both society to be successful in that respect must be about kind of law and order. Without some established rules and regulations little would get do and there would be chaos and confusion. unless in turn there is another side to the spectrum. At what point are the rules also everywheremuch? There comes a point in which enforcements are overbearing and impede the people under them. This often seems to be the case in proto(prenominal) American times. Though these early laws benefited the foundation of church and state into a more united community, the often caused many hardships to the citizens under them.In studying laws in early American labeltlements it seems logical to look at Jamestown first. Jamestown had its problems from the beginning. unrivalled of the main ones was the colonists lack of desire to create. The work schedule of the day was considered sonant even by modern day standards. Colonists were only required to work 6 hour s a day, while the rest was reserved for personal waste time. This from a habituation that was practically starving to death. This is one of the few examples in which the laws in early colonial America were actually not unpleasant enough. But this was all about to change.By 1611 things were not good in Jamestown. Many more people had died than had survived the harsh east coast winters. hatful were still frolicking in the streets instead of working hard to ensure their survival. so Sir Thomas Dale arrives in May of 1611.He was sent to bring see to it among the disorganized colonist, and discipline he brought. He published a set of rules now known as "Dales Laws." Many of these rules called for harsh punishments for what today would be thought of as relatively minor wrong doings. But where these rules too harsh? They did after all end up saving the colony. But at what price? Is it worth killing a man over petty theft of a hoe or axe if it leads to the ultimate survival of his society? These are all hard questions with no decisive anwsers. But one thing is for sure, had it not been for Dale and his strict enforcements the colony of Jamestown would ware certainly perished.Two other early colonies that deserve mention were the Pilgrim colony at Plymouth and the Puritan settlement in Massachusetts Bay. The colonists which resided here were different the early settlers of Jamestown in that order was always a primary tie in of theirs.