The frontier approach stresses that people and institutions are moulded by the environment rather than having their fate determined by the Amother country@. In noting the importance of the environment, it is therefore necessary to address exactly the type of environment (Surrounding; objects, region, or conditions. Especially circumstances (external conditions that may affect life) of life of person or society ) that the colonists were immersed in.

Land was plentiful in North America giving most white males the opportunity to

The leaders of the Church of England regarded themselves as the defenders of a particular view of the world which justified the hierarchical social structure of Britain. Through the establishment of the institutional Church of England in the colonies, they tried to instil in the parishioners an acceptance of this unequal and discriminatory social order. Evangelicalism was created by those who were uncomfortable with and hence rejected attempts by the metropolis to institute an aristocratic social structure in British North America. Born of the prevailing democratic ethos on the frontier, the religion of experience was responsible also for continuing to mould the character of the people in the colonies. By linking their religious teachings to the ordinary person=s social complaints, the evangelical preachers won over the individuals and families who felt alienated from the established church=s aristocratic structure and preachings and who considered the Church of England ministers as social parasites equal to the squire.

One of the first develoments, definately in response to frontier conditions, was the passing of The Quebec Act (1774) in order to appease the conquered Canadiens since the Royal Proclamation Act of 1763 had initially caused some strife. The first two Governors, interested more in winning the loyalty of the conquered Canadiens than in meeting the demands of the Anglo-Canadian merchants persuaded the British government to endorse a conciliatory policy towards them. This conciliatory action towards the conquered Canadiens eventually led to other events that continued to create a community distinct from Britain.

The second factor Britain felt had the potential to cause a surge for independence was the absence of a ruling class with British ties. Britain thus hoped to create in each colony just such a hereditary aristocracy by establishing an executive as well as a legislative council, clergy reserves and other elitist institutions, and by preventing the growth of an indigenous bourgeoisie in an attempt to protect its own interests. On the other hand the British government was aware that becomming too authoritarian in a frontier society also risked provoking rebellion. The Alimited@ assembly, therefore, was a happy medium as it partly satisfied the democratic seniment existing among the Loyalists and the Quebecois and at the same time maintained Britain=s postion of supreme authority in the colonies. Nevertheless such thinking on part of the British clearly underestimated the impact of frontier conditions on the colonists= daily life because the Loyalists were not that accepting of the concept of a landholding aristocracy, a limited democracy and an established church.

Religion is a personal matter, but in the framework of materialism demonstrates the way religious ideas on the frontier reflected material interests of the colonies. Often religion was nothing more than an arena where political battles were played out. In a world of elite political jurisdictions, it provided particularly the lower orders, who rejected the convention of the elite authority and the institutionalized Anglican church, with a forum to express their ideas and aspirations. Such religious freedom could not be practiced in Britain where the elites had greater control due to the more rigid social structure.

Some common words found in the essay are:
North America, North American, Loyalists Quebecois, Legislative Assembly, Lower Canada, American Revoulion, God Evangelist, Church England, Proclamation Act, America Born, north america, british north, british north america, north american, amother country@, conquered canadiens, american colonies, 19th century, people institutions, ethnic composition, british government, north american colonies, britain british north, british north american, institutions moulded environment,
Approximate Word count = 2595
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)