Analyzing Race and Gender in Colonial North America: Course 123

This essay provides an analysis of the impact of race and gender on the colonization of North America from the late 15th to mid-17th century. It examines how ideas about race and gender shaped societal values, customs, and the interactions between various groups including Europeans, Native Americans, and Africans. The essay highlights gender roles, legal statuses, and the discrimination faced by women and different racial groups. It also discusses the influence of European cultural norms, the impact of slavery, and the reshaping of the Atlantic world through migration and cultural exchange. The analysis incorporates arguments from historical sources, such as Alan Taylor's "Colonial America: a very short introduction," to illustrate the complexities of the era and the long-lasting effects of these historical dynamics on societal structures and human rights. The essay covers the impact of race and gender on the Atlantic world, the roles of men and women, and the influence of European groups and their adaptation to life in North America, as well as the effects of interactions between European, African, and Native American cultures.

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A brief history of North America

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The late 15th to mid-17th century North America was characterized by a series of events
that has molded the culture in a manner that resonates till today. This thinking pattern has been
integrated in the societal development of the colonial America that has its impact for a prolonged
period of time. The racial and gender discrimination for instance, have been deep rooted in the
history of the place which has also affected the way people interact with each other1. Moreover,
the recorded history of that time shows a significant biasness and shows undue prejudices
towards women and on racism ground. In this essay, there will be a brief analysis on the gender
biasness that was prevalent in the 15th to 17th century North America that left an impact on the
societal values, customs and the reshaping of the generations idea about femininity.
Gender roles and its impact on the daily lives of people
The egalitarian concept that today’s generation is trying to achieve has a stark difference
in respect to the scenario that was prevalent in the middle age. In the early North American
society the groups that mainly flocked around the country were Africans, Europeans and the
Native Americans. The slavery method also hold a significant place in the history and therefore,
women too were affected for the legal statuses and laws. The female natives of the region usually
when captivated, were spared due to the reproduction capabilities whereas the male counterparts
were executed. In relation to the clothing and lifestyle of the people, the tribal women had a
different set of practices and customs. However, the elite European classes’ women had a
different idea of modesty where the nudity of the tribal people were seen as uncivilized. In this
regard, there used to be a conflict in the misunderstanding between the two cultures. However,
the general status of women were always subjugated and they had numerous restrictions in
comparison to the males. The traditional concept of the man was seen as the bread earner of the
1 Taylor, Alan. Colonial America: a very short introduction. Vol. 339. Oxford University Press, 2013.

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family and they were assumed to be the head of the family. This was the matter of common
grounds which all the cultures share. The marital grounds was also another issues where the
cultural differences arose. The Native Americans used to practice polygamy whereas the
European believed in the concepts of monogamy. The Missionaries of that time, too, tried to
spread the superiority of the European marriages and in a broader scenario the practices of
Native American’s were tried to be controlled. Therefore, a clash between groups were
inevitable that affected and thereby resulted in the reshaping of the Indians gender role.
Role of Gender in shaping the Atlantic world
The male and female both had a central part to play in the reshaping of the Atlantic
World. Earlier, no participation of women could be seen whereas a gradual change can be
noticed in the later part of the history. The Native Americans acted as the mediators between the
European and Indian societies thereby infusing cultures. Assertive women came into the
forefront and a shift in the societal pattern could be seen. Previously, the same act could have
been seen as the practicing of witchcraft and occults. The political and social powers were also
kept out from their reach and the male were only authorized to take the role. However, the
gradual sexual interactions with the people despite the differences, the failure and successes and
the overall situation prompted the restructuring of the Atlantic world2. In this respect, the
transatlantic migration of male members in the region had a great role in the lop-sided sex ratio.
The entire community experienced a downfall in respect to the gender differences and therefore,
the entry of women in the domestic service increased. With this gradual change, some women
also started looking for opportunities to leave Europe. In the 15th century, a fairly high number of
female went on a voyage to the Caribbean. Between the 16th and 17th century, a massive number
2 Taylor, Alan. Colonial America: a very short introduction. Vol. 339. Oxford University Press, 2013.

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of female transatlantic migrants were particularly noted. More and more single females like
Catalina de Erauso also took this opportunity for redesigning the conventional gender. Not only
free movement of freedom could be seen, but many were forced to leave the land. This gradual
interchange of culture and knowledge paved the way for multiplicity of ideas, and a diversity in
the cultural and societal pattern were noted3. Various types of cultural shift, restructuring were
done in the meantime, that led to the change in the Atlantic world.
European groups and their adaptation to life in North America
The American contact with the European group brought a significant impact in the
country. According to the historian Ruth Bloch, the idea of gender role became staunch. The
males were strictly forbidden to do any act that would question their masculinity. The
Protestantism, also, enforced stringent rules regarding the masculinity gave strength to the
patriarchal values of the country. In contrary to the males, the females’ roles were subjugated
and mostly confined to domestication. The job roles that fitted their description would probably
be the nursery and midwifery. In context of gender, the contact of American with that of the
Europeans demand certain attention in regards to the sexual interaction that give rise to the
intermingling of cultures. It also resulted in sexual exploitation that resulted in illegitimate births.
Marriage with indigenous tribes also came into practice along with the practice of keeping
concubines. During that time, fornication was strictly prohibited outside marriage and heavy
penalties were there. Sexual acts outside marriages or indulgence of unusual practices would
draw severe punishments. It must be noted that women were considered hold accountable instead
of men for every types of crimes mentioned in the previous statement. However, the inter
3 Taylor, Alan. Colonial America: a very short introduction. Vol. 339. Oxford University Press, 2013.

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association of cultures namely the European, the Africans and the native Americans came into an
interesting amalgamation that paved the way for the free exchange of ideas.
From the above analysis, a glimpse of colonial America is depicted in the lights of gender
role. The legal status of women were limited and their sufferings was the highest during that
period. This subjugation of women from all fields had barred them from participating in various
aspects and thereby emphasizing on the suppression of human rights. In this context, the racism
should also be brought to notice since the societal change and the reshaping has also been
influenced by this particular factor. The practice of slavery and human bondage, which also led
to the denying of the fundamental human rights and oppression of the black people were
extreme4. Alan Taylor in the book “Colonial America: A very short introduction” has portrayed
the picture of the end of the medieval age to the Renaissance5. The slave trade database also
depicts the trans-Atlantic migration and the slavery associated with it. The religious scenario also
began to change for the colonialism and Christianity was divided into Catholic and
Protestantism. Various environmental factor also took place due to the introduction of various
diseases. The gender aspect which is the central theme of this project has carried out its
significant impact that has still shaped the societal pattern.
4 Eltis, David. "The volume and structure of the transatlantic slave trade: a reassessment." The William and Mary
Quarterly58, no. 1 (2001): 17-46.
5 Taylor, Alan. Colonial America: a very short introduction. Vol. 339. Oxford University Press, 2013.

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Bibliography
Eltis, David. "The volume and structure of the transatlantic slave trade: a reassessment." The
William and Mary Quarterly58, no. 1 (2001): 17-46.
Taylor, Alan. Colonial America: a very short introduction. Vol. 339. Oxford University Press,
2013.