Unification of the American Colonies

Paper Summary:

This paper looks at how British shipping and trade to the American colonies spurred economic growth, which, in turn, fostered feelings of independence among the colonialists and the feeling that they were more and more 'American' and less and less English. The emergence of these nationalistic feelings, as well as several other forces that helped unite the American colonies, are discussed in this paper.

From the Paper:

"During the middle years of the 17th century and well into the late decades of the 18th century, the volume of British shipping to the American colonies steadily increased and made it possible for the citizens in the northern and southern colonies to thrive and prosper as one complete unit. The annual transatlantic crossings tripled from about five hundred during the 1670's to fifteen hundred by the late 1730's, and as a consequence reduced insurance costs and freight charges which encouraged the shipment of greater cargoes. More and larger ships, some dedicated to the emigrant trade, also cut in half the price of a passage from Europe to the colonies between 1720 and 1770. In addition, the Atlantic Ocean drew all of the colonies closer together during the first two-thirds of the 18th century, due to being the only path for shipping goods to the mother country."

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