An Analysis Of The Native Elite In Colonial Virginia Of British North America, 1700-1750

This thesis aims at probing into the economical and political activities of native elite in Virginia, as well as its practical effect during the colonial era of British North America in order to illustrate the effect of native elite in the development of Virginia inland colony.The introduction part introduces the present research situation about the American colonies, and simply classifies and concludes the related research achievement. In addition, research methods and aims are explained in this part.The main body consists of three parts. The first part summarizes the native elite, introduces their origins and the increase of the Virginian population at this period, as well as its effect to the native elite; recounts the native elite's economy source and their attemptment of economy diversity.The second part inquires the impact of native elite's political activities on the development of Virginian political system. On the one hand, they held the posts of councilor, the House of Burgesses, justice of county court, the parish church and so on. All of these posts are closely related to family politics; On the other hand, they became mature day by day so made a notable impact on the Virginian representative system, especially on the rise of House of Burgesses.The third part preliminarily analyses the effect of native elite's activities. For one thing, the black slave labor system, which the native elite depended on, produced critical consequence to America. For another thing, the class of secular gentlemen controlled the parish church, so the ministers were in a subordinate position and caused the religion secularization and finally achieved religion freedom. At the same time, the native elite's pursue of liberty and right made them resist motherland and fight for independence.The conclusion part sums up the whole paper, initially illustrates the political rights of common people and the channels by which they attended politics, and considers the effect of common people cannot match the native elite at that time; expounds the evolution of thought of the native elite.