Bernard Bailyn has recently reinterpreted the early history of the

Question

Bernard Bailyn has recently reinterpreted the early history of the United States by applying new social research findings on the experiences of European migrants. In his reinterpretation, migration becomes the organizing principle for rewriting the history of preindustrial North America. His approach rests on four separate propositions.

The first of these asserts that residents of early modern England moved regularly about their countryside; migrating to the New World was simply a “natural spillover.” Although at first the colonies held little positive attraction for the English—they would rather have stayed home—by the eighteenth century people increasingly migrated to America because they regarded it as the land of opportunity. Secondly, Bailyn holds that, contrary to the notion that used to flourish in America history textbooks, there was never a typical New World community. For example, the economic and demographic character of early New England towns varied considerably.

Bailyn’s third proposition suggests two general patterns prevailing among the many thousands of migrants: one group came as indentured servants, another came to acquire land. Surprisingly, Bailyn suggests that those who recruited indentured servants were the driving forces of transatlantic migration. These colonial entrepreneurs helped determine the social character of people who came to preindustrial North America. At first, thousands of unskilled laborers were recruited; by the 1730’s, however, American employers demanded skilled artisans.

Finally, Bailyn argues that the colonies were a half-civilized hinterland of the European culture system. He is undoubtedly correct to insist that the colonies were part of an Anglo-American empire. But to divide the empire into English core and colonial periphery, as Bailyn does, devalues the achievements of colonial culture. It is true, as Bailyn claims, that high culture in the colonies never matched that in England. But what of seventeenth-century New England, where the settlers created effective laws, built a distinguished university, and published books? Bailyn might respond that New England was exceptional. However, the ideas and institutions developed by New England Puritans had powerful effects on North American culture.

Although Bailyn goes on to apply his approach to some thousands of indentured servants who migrated just prior to the revolution, he fails to link their experience with the political development of the United States. Evidence presented in his work suggests how we might make such a connection. These indentured servants were treated as slaves for the period during which they had sold their time to American employers. It is not surprising that as soon as they served their time they passed up good wages in the cities and headed west to ensure their personal independence by acquiring land. Thus, it is in the west that a peculiarly American political culture began, among colonists who were suspicious of authority and intensely anti-aristocratic.   1 
 D 
 Which of the following statements about migrants to colonial North America is supported by information in the passage?

(A) A larger percentage of migrants to colonial North America came as indentured servants than as free agents interested in acquiring land.

(B) Migrants who came to the colonies as indentured servants were more successful at making a livelihood than were farmers and artisans.

(C) Migrants to colonial North America were more successful at acquiring their own land during the eighteenth century than during the seven-tenth century.

(D) By the 1730’s, migrants already skilled in a trade were in more demand by American employers than were unskilled laborers.

(E) A significant percentage of migrants who came to the colonies to acquire land were forced to work as field hands for prosperous American farmers.

2 
 D 
 The author of the passage states that Bailyn failed to

(A) give sufficient emphasis to the cultural and political interdependence of the colonies and England

(B) describe carefully how migrants of different ethnic backgrounds preserved their culture in the united States

(C) take advantage of social research on the experiences of colonists who migrated to colonial North America specifically to acquire land

(D) relate the experience of the migrants to the political values that eventually shaped the character of the United States

(E) investigate the lives of Europeans before they came to colonial North America to determine more adequately their motivations for migrating

3 
 B 
 Which of the following best summarizes the author’s evaluation of Bailyn’s fourth proposition?

(A) It is totally implausible.
(B) It is partially correct.
(C) It is highly admirable.
(D) It is controversial though persuasive.
(E) It is intriguing though unsubstantiated.

4 
 A 
 According to the passage, Bailyn and the author agree on which of the following statements about the culture of colonial New England?

(A) High culture in New England never equaled the high culture of England.
(B) The cultural achievements of colonial New England have generally been unrecognized by historians.
(C) The colonists imitated the high culture of England, and did not develop a culture that was uniquely their own.
(D) The southern colonies were greatly influenced by the high culture of New England.
(E) New England communities were able to create laws and build a university, but unable to create anything innovative in the arts.

5 
 D 
 According to the passage, which of the following is true of English migrants to the colonies during the eighteenth century?

(A) Most of them were farmers rather than trades people or artisans.
(B) Most of them came because they were unable to find work in England.
(C) They differed from other English people in that they were willing to travel.
(D) They expected that the colonies would offer them increased opportunity.
(E) They were generally not as educated as the people who remained in England.

6 
 E 
 The author of the passage is primarily concerned with

(A) comparing several current interpretations of early American history
(B) suggesting that new social research on migration should lead to revisions in current interpretations of early American history
(C) providing the theoretical framework that is used by most historians in understanding early American history
(D) refuting an argument about early American history that has been proposed by social historians
(E) discussing a reinterpretation of early American history that is based on new social research on migration

7 
 C 
 It can be inferred from the passage that American history textbooks used to assert that

(A) many migrants to colonial North America were not successful financially
(B) more migrants came to America out of religious or political conviction that came in the hope of acquiring land
(C) New England communities were much alike in terms of their economics and demographics
(D) many migrants to colonial North America failed to maintain ties with their European relations
(E) the level of literacy in New England communities was very high

8 
 A 
 The author of the passage would be most likely to agree with which of the following statements about Bailyn’s work?

(A) Bailyn underestimates the effects of Puritan thought on North American culture.

(B) Bailyn overemphasizes the economic dependence of the colonies on Great Britain.

(C) Bailyn’s description of the colonies as part of an Anglo-American empire is misleading and incorrect.

(D) Bailyn failed to test his propositions on a specific group of migrants to colonial North America.

(E) Bailyn overemphasizes the experiences of migrants to the New England colonies, and neglects the southern and the western parts of the New World.

Cinematiccuisine · Accepted Answer

broall , arvind910619 , workout , pandeyashwin , srakshit91 Regarding Q1: Which of the following statements about migrants to colonial North America is supported by information in the passage? (A) A larger percentage of migrants to colonial North America came as indentured servants than as free agents interested in acquiring land. My Analysis: Not given in passage. Reason : The passage 3 talks about 2 major categories: a) servants and b) ppl came to acquire land; the passage does not give any comparison or statistics on %age distribution (B) Migrants who came to the colonies as indentured servants were more successful at making a livelihood than were farmers and artisans. My Analysis: Not given in passage. Reason: The passage 3 or entire passage did not mention about farmers. there is no comparison given for farmers VS artisans. (C) Migrants to colonial North America were more successful at acquiring their own land during the eighteenth century than during the seven-tenth century. My Analysis: Not given in passage. Reason: again, this is not given in the passage. there is no comparison between success rate of ppl during 18th VS 17th century. (D) By the 1730’s, migrants already skilled in a trade were in more demand by American employers than were unskilled laborers. My Analysis: CORRECT : given in passage. Reason: Option D can be inferred from the last sentence of para 3: These colonial entrepreneurs helped determine the social character of people who came to preindustrial North America. At first, thousands of unskilled laborers were recruited; by the 1730’s, however , American employers demanded skilled artisans. Further explanation of D is given below. -------------- yes, we can definitely say that skilled laborers were in more demand. This is because, author clearly calls out that, at first, unskilled laborers were recruited. The word " however " suggests that unskilled laborers didn't satisfy the need of the job. the job required skilled labor hence the need for skilled laborers was in more as comparted to that of unskilled laborers. -------------- (E) A significant percentage of migrants who came to the colonies to acquire land were forced to work as field hands for prosperous American farmers. My Analysis: Not given in passage. Reason: again, this is not given in the passage. there is no mention of farmers. I hope this is clear now. — Give Kudos even if you disagree

vishul · Answer

Please explain Q8 . Thanks in advance.

gmat1393 · Answer

vishul 
Refer to the following excerpt from last 2 lines of para 4.Based on this we can tell that option A is correct.

Hope this helps!

Cinematiccuisine · Answer

srakshit91 : for Q5:

According to the passage, which of the following is true of English migrants to the colonies during the eighteenth century?

(A) Most of them were farmers rather than trades people or artisans.
(B) Most of them came because they were unable to find work in England.
(C) They differed from other English people in that they were willing to travel.
(D) They expected that the colonies would offer them  increased opportunity .
(E) They were generally not as educated as the people who remained in England.

To understand this, please refer to para 2:
The first of these asserts that residents of early modern England moved regularly about their countryside; migrating to the New World was simply a “natural spillover.” Although at first the colonies held little positive attraction for the English—they would rather have stayed home—by the eighteenth century people increasingly  migrated to America because they regarded it as  the land of opportunity.

From the  bold  and  underlined  text above, we can interpret that ppl traveled from England to America as later would provide  increased opportunity . All other options are either not given OR can't be interpreted from the para.

I hope it's clear now.

---
Please give kudos even if you disagree.

Skywalker18 · Answer

Took almost 15 mins, including 5 mins to read the passage.

1. Which of the following statements about migrants to colonial North America is supported by information in the passage?

(D) By the 1730’s, migrants already skilled in a trade were in more demand by American employers than were unskilled laborers.- Correct
At first, thousands of unskilled laborers were recruited; by the 1730’s, however, American employers demanded skilled artisans.

2. The author of the passage states that Bailyn failed to
Although Bailyn goes on to apply his approach to some thousands of indentured servants who migrated just prior to the revolution, he fails to link their experience with the political development of the United States. 
(D) relate the experience of the migrants to the political values that eventually shaped the character of the United States- Correct

3. Which of the following best summarizes the author’s evaluation of Bailyn’s fourth proposition?

He is  undoubtedly correct  to insist that the colonies were part of an Anglo-American empire. But to divide the empire into English core and colonial periphery, as Bailyn does,  devalues the achievements of colonial culture . It is true, as Bailyn claims, that high culture in the colonies never matched that in England.

(B) It is partially correct.- Correct; The author agrees with a part of Bailyn's fourth proposition but does not agree with a part of the same.

4. According to the passage, Bailyn and the author agree on which of the following statements about the culture of colonial New England?

(A) High culture in New England never equaled the high culture of England.- Correct
It is true, as Bailyn claims, that high culture in the colonies never matched that in England.

5. According to the passage, which of the following is true of English migrants to the colonies during the eighteenth century?
Although at first the colonies held little positive attraction for the English—they would rather have stayed home— by the eighteenth century people increasingly migrated to America because they regarded it as the land of opportunity. 
(D) They expected that the colonies would offer them increased opportunity.- Correct

6. The author of the passage is primarily concerned with However, the ideas and institutions developed by New England Puritans had powerful effects on North American culture.

As per the author’s evaluation, the fourth proposition doesn't seem to be controversial/debatable and persuasive. The author does not debate about it but rather agrees with a part of the fourth proposition and disagrees with other.

mallya12 · Answer

workout ,  u1983 ,  GMATNinjaTwo ,  SajjadAhmad ,  GMATNinja ,  Gnpth

Please explain Q8.
"However, the ideas and institutions developed by New England Puritans had powerful effects on North American culture." -author's statement.

How is A right?

Peachie · Answer

*HOWEVER* shows there's a contradiction of the author's view from Bailyn's line of thought.
So Bailyn says "However, the ideas and institutions developed by New England Puritans had powerful effects on North American
It means the Bailyn doesn't think that Puritan had such powerful effect on North America.
So the Author agrees that Bailyn underestimates the effect of Puritan, this is what the question is asking.
Option A says Bailyn underestimates the effect Puritan had on North American Culture...CORRECT!
Hope this helps?

Posted from my mobile device

RichterPhan2611 · Answer

My best passage ever - 15.5 minutes and only Q# 3 is wrong. I used information to POE and left B and D. Yet, I chose D not B, can not decide which is better. Can anyone help me?

greenisthecolor · Answer

For Q#3, we refer to the fourth passage. Throughout the passage, we can see that author is agreeing with Bailyn partly, but also providing his/her own points that Bailyn failed to consider.

" He is undoubtedly correct to insist  that the colonies were part of an Anglo-American empire.  But to divide  the empire into English core and colonial periphery, as Bailyn does, devalues the achievements of colonial culture.  It is true, as Bailyn claims, that  high culture in the colonies never matched that in England.  But what of  seventeenth-century New England, where the settlers created effective laws, built a distinguished university, and published books?"

Out of B and D, B seems a better fit as the author agrees with few parts of Bailyn's reinterpretation but disagrees with other parts and points them out in the argument. The author has not indicated any controversy or persuasion here.

Hope this helps.

Eaneru · Answer

It is more of a general question, rather than specific to this passage... Can somebody help me with how you locate the right part of the passage when you read a question. Most of the time I am lost and keep searching all over the passage and waste my time. I do take short notes and try to comprehend each para in part as whole, but it does not help in some question types.

For example in Q8 - most likely to agree questions can be anywhere in the passage... I did not know where to search. Someone pl enlighten me.

For example in Q8 - most likely to agree questions can be anywhere in the passage... I did not know where to search. Someone pl enlighten me.

Chatenya · Answer

Sajjad1994  all q's timer is shown below
hope u don't mind tagging u again and again 
P.S- i am going through R.C 1000 series

_/\_ _/\_

Sajjad1994 · Answer

Edited!

Thank you!

JamesPatrick · Answer

IAM not able to understand question number 4 can someone explain me

Posted from my mobile device

proudcrimson · Answer

In 4th paragraph the author states "  It is true, as Bailyn claims, that high culture in the colonies never matched that in England.  "

huongguyen · Answer

2/ The author of the passage states that Bailyn failed to
Scope: he fails to link their  experience  with the  political  development of the United States.

(A) give sufficient emphasis to the  cultural  and  political  interdependence of the colonies and England

(B) describe carefully how migrants of  different ethnic backgrounds  preserved their culture in the united States

(C)  take advantage of social research  on the experiences of colonists who migrated to colonial North America specifically to acquire land

(D) relate the  experience  of the migrants to the  political  values that eventually shaped the character of the United States

(E) investigate the   lives of Europeans before they came   to colonial North America to determine more adequately their motivations for migrating

==>IMO: D

huongguyen · Answer

3/ Which of the following best summarizes the author’s evaluation of Bailyn’s fourth proposition?
Scope: He is   undoubtedly correct   to insist that the colonies were part of an Anglo-American empire.   But   to divide the empire into English core and colonial periphery, as Bailyn does, devalues the achievements of colonial culture.   It is true  , as Bailyn claims, that high culture in the colonies never matched that in England.   But   what of seventeenth-century New England, where the settlers created effective laws, built a distinguished university, and published books?

(A) It is  totally  implausible.  --> extreme word 
(B) It is  partially  correct.
(C) It is  highly admirable.
 (D) It is controversial though  persuasive .
(E) It is intriguing though  unsubstantiated .  --> wrong, the author gave some reason to prove BB was incorrect

=> B

huongguyen · Answer

7/ It can be inferred from the passage that American history textbooks used to assert that
Scope:  Secondly, Bailyn holds that, contrary to the notion that used to flourish in American history textbooks, there was never a typical New World community. For example, the economic and demographic character of early New England towns varied considerably. 
(A) many migrants to colonial North America were  not successful financially 
(B) more migrants came to America out of  religious or political conviction  that came in the hope of acquiring land
(C)  New England communities  were much alike in terms of their  economics and demographics 
(D) many migrants to colonial North America  failed to maintain ties with their European relations 
(E) the level of  literacy in New England communities was very high

VerbalBot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club VerbalBot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.

Bernard Bailyn has recently reinterpreted the early history of the

Prep Toolkit

Top 5 GMAT Debrief Videos

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards

GMAT Reading Comprehension (RC) Questions

Bernard Bailyn has recently reinterpreted the early history of the

Prep Toolkit

615 to 715 in 15 Days (Ria's Strategies)

More than Quant/Verbal Abilities: Speed vs. Accuracy

745 with Only Self-Prep and GMAT Club

From 555 to 765: 210-point Improvement

Perfect 805 Score Debrief by Julia

My Rewards