This essay follows 5 imaginary people during the colonization of America, from 1612 to 1790.

Monday, August 4, 1612 <Tab/>Two weeks have passed since my journey from Germany to The Colonies began. I am anxious to arrive in The New World. Life on the ship is, simply put, unpleasant. Quarters are cramped, food is scarce, and disease runs rampant. Yesterday, two passengers were buried at sea. They died from fever and delirium. My time on the ship has not been as harsh as it is for most. …

…England. They pay the Colonies half as much as the Dutch. They then sell the manufactured goods at a four hundred percent markup. This puts an enormous hole in the economy; America is losing forty one percent of its import buying power. Because of this, England sells most of these goods to other European countries. England has not yet come up with a successful economic concept; and the Colonies are paying the price for it.