Page 40 - All About History - Issue 08-14

What if...

THE PILGRIMS HADN’T GONE TO AMERICA

else following would have had to learn Spanish, including the
English and Irish. Indeed, perhaps the English and Irish would
not have gone to America at all. Now there’s a thought! The
fact that English did indeed become the dominant language
has had its influence on the politics of the whole world, not
just America. After the American War of Independence, the
British and the Americans had a ‘special relationship’ no doubt
strongly influenced by the shared language. If, on the other
hand, America spoke Spanish, the whole outlook of the nation
would have been different. The politics would have leaned
heavily on Catholicism, instead of on the Puritan work ethic.
Economically, America might not have done so well, for the
Puritan work ethic was largely responsible for the economic
growth, making America the financially prosperous land that
it is today. Additionally, there would have been no ‘special
relationship’ between Britain and America, and perhaps
America would not have been so dominant in world politics.
America might not have come to Britain’s aid in the first
World War, and the whole world could have been different.
A painting showing the Pilgrims in Holland before they
departed for the New World in search of religious freedom What ramifications for the American government
would there have been without a New England

That I cannot answer, not being well enough acquainted
50 years. The Puritans, however, had no such scruples producing John Adams and Benjamin Franklin?
against war, and as they settled in Massachusetts Bay, with Adams and Franklin, so to speak. However, if I had to
problems arose between them and the Wampanoag. In 1675 speculate, one thing I noticed about both Adams and Franklin
war erupted between the Wampanoag and the English [King is their attack on slavery. Perhaps this came about because
Philip’s war] and 40 per cent of the Wampanoag Indians of their religious background among New England Puritans.
were killed. Of the rest, the men were sold into slavery in the Religion certainly played a part in how people viewed and
West Indies and the women and children were enslaved in treated others.
New England.
Would the English have had later opportunities in
Would English still be the main language in America? America if the 1620 and 1630 Pilgrims and Puritans
No, I don’t think so. If the Spanish had indeed become hadn’t gone there?
dominant in the region not only America but probably the The country is so large, that someone would have gone there
whole world would have been a very different place, and and done something. So probably, yes. No doubt the Irish,
very likely Spanish would have been the dominant language, who are not English, but who speak the language, would have
rather than English. To see the influence the Spanish had, made a mass migration in the 1800s, just as they did. And
we could look at Mexico, Argentina, Peru, Colombia and very likely lots of English would have gone, just as they did.
other South American countries. Perhaps America would Once they were able to sail around the southern cape, then
have become a similar kind of nation. So if the Spanish had the possibilities were endless. So yes, I think they would have
indeed colonised the North American continent, everyone had opportunity, though not necessarily in the east.

How would it be diferent? ● Storms at sea ● No turning back?

Having travelled more than half
Though they are nearer to
the distance to the destination, the
America than England, the
Mayflower encounters strong storms storms are severe enough that
● Hampton Court Conference that cause one the ship’s main beams a return is considered. The
A series of meetings held by to crack. main beam is repaired.
King James I. Puritan demands October 1620 October 1620
were largely dismissed but the
conference did result in the
King James Bible.
Real timeline 1604 Real timeline
1558
Alternate timeline
● Act of Uniformity ● The Virginia
This key piece of Company ● Escape to Holland
legislature cemented Established by King The Pilgrims travelled ● To the New World
the status of the James I, the Virginia to Holland to escape With the negotiated
Church of England. Company of London the ongoing problems assistance of the ● Disaster
Under the terms was a joint-stock and persecution Virginia Company of Despite efforts to repair the
of this Act, company formed to of religious non- London, the Pilgrims damage caused by the storms,
conformity with establish New World conformists in England. are able to sail from the ship capsizes with the loss
Church of England settlements and They went first to Plymouth, England, of all passengers. It is thought
procedure was achieve profit for its Amsterdam and then bound for America on that the ship was attempting
compulsory. shareholders. on to Leiden. the Mayflower. to turn back to England.
1558-1559 1606 1607-8 1620 October 1620
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