Week 7: The American Wars and the Formation of the U.S. (1750-1783)
This week explores the foundational conflicts that would ultimately lead to the formation of the United States of America. We will also curate exhibits exploring these and other colonial themes.
Readings:
Declaration of Independence and other Founding Documents 92 pp.
Points of Entry:
Benjamin Franklin:
Founding Documents:
Pontiac's War:
Thoughts/Questions for blog discussion:
List and analyze 2 quotes from the reading.
What are some of the arguments?
How are they related to the larger themes of the week discussed in class?
What are some of the arguments?
"The eighteenth century put little value on originality in the sense of creating something entirely new. Instead young men were taught to study the great writings of the past, and when appropriate, adapt them for their purposes." (Maier, 11)
ReplyDeleteThe idea that the Declaration of Independence was not completely new and radical for its time shatters common thought. Jefferson drew upon the sources of the Declaration of Rights for Virginia by George, the English Declaration of Rights and the Magna Carta for both inspiration and near quotation when writing the first drafts of the Declaration. Essentially, the most esteemed document in America was a compilation of other works. Somehow this fact makes the Declaration of Independence seem less revolutionary and more desperate. There is no doubt the Declaration of Independence is a beautiful work, but its eminence shrinks in the context of its origins.
"The Constitution's importance was never in doubt, but the Declaration of Independence underwent a massive redefinition and rise in Importance in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries. And the bill of Rights in particular piggybacked its way to prominence...on an amendment to the Constitution...." (Maier, 44)
In light of civil war and interactions with the rest of the world, I believe America came to appreciate its founding roots. In a way the Declaration of Independence is the initial action, and the Constitution is the descriptive words or explanation for that action. I found it interesting that the founding fathers didn't find it essential to write the Bill of Rights alongside the Constitution. Revisionists today portray the founding fathers as idealists, fighting for human rights and liberties(which is only partially true). I believe that our founding fathers were more concerned with solving the current problem of creating a working government, thoughts about human rights would only appear in the peace following the time of crisis.
"Slavery defined some, but not all, of the colonial prosperity." (307)
ReplyDeleteSlavery was one of the most basic foundational disputes that led to the creation of the United States. Without its profits, the colonies wouldn't have been as successful and in some cases would have failed all together. The fight for freedom was instilled within the slaves and within the colonists leading to another theme, resistance. This resistance toward the oppressors of the independence sought after by the colonists secured the United State's place in history as a power. The ideals that came from the nation even if built upon exploitation in some cases, shaped history around the U.S. and started a new sense of people. Slavery was ultimately important to this as an economic foundation which is a necessity in order to be successful in the world.
"There were important exceptions to the rule of prosperity. Indeed, during the 1750s and 1760s the colonists reported growing numbers of the poor in the urban seaports." (307)
"Although only about 10 percent of total production, the export sector made a critical difference in the standard of living and the pace of development." (311)
Alongside slavery came the next step in the economic improvements of the soon to be United States. Before the Revolutionary War, the United States had to take its claim in the economic world which was built upon slavery in some instances as aforementioned. What the colonists did with the goods produced was just as important though. The trade of goods around the world such as tea to England, helped further the power foundation that the United States was aiming for. America was supposed to provide the 'American Dream' which stems from the standard of living. Freedoms and the fight for freedoms needed a financial backing as well, and with many struggling in urban areas, the ideals sought were going to be hard gained. Many problems have stemmed from income inequality and will continue to arise but in order to attempt to fix issues, public assistance programs were creative and whether or not they were effective, they led further to the 'American Dream'. The United States foundations were in many cases conflicts and the reason many of the decisions were made was to create a nation that triumphed ultimately.
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ReplyDelete"According to tax records, in 1771 the wealthiest tenth of Bostonians owned more than 60 percent of the urban wealth, while the bottom three tenths owned virtually nothing," (p. 308). Taylor demonstrates the disparity between classes with this passage. New England is typically viewed as the "morally righteous" sect of the colonies, due to having such famous preachers as Jonathan Edwards originate their greatest sermons in the land. Most New Englanders do not own slaves, so they must be the good child of mother Britain. However, the chosen child is not as perfect as one would think. Emigration would flood the area from 1763 onward, creating a greater lower class, and substantially increasing the gap between the wealthy and destitute. Due to the Atlantic trade cycle, the ports were constantly busy, and everyone's profit mostly depended on the cooperation of the weather. In the winter time, ice shut down most shipments, and employment shrank. The unemployed faced death by starvation unless they stayed at a sickly almshouse. Granted, the disparity was also present in the Carolinas as well as Virginia and New York. However, due to weather complications, life in New England was no picnic.
ReplyDelete"Contrary to popular myth, most eighteenth-century emigrants did not come to America of their own free will in search of liberty. Nor were they Europeans. On the contrary, most were enslaved Africans forced across the Atlantic to work on plantations raising American crops for the European market," (p. 323). This quote seemed a bit obvious to me, but at the same time it was somewhat shocking. In the 18th century, the British imported 1.5 million slaves, which was more than three times the number of free immigrants in the same century. The majority of these Africans were slaves for life, destined to pass on their new heritage to their children. Only 1 percent of these imported slaves became free by the time of the Revolution. This is not the only region affected by slavery, however. West Africa's population DECREASED from 25 million in 1700 to 20 million in 1820. Over 8 million Africans either died in slave raids or became slaves themselves. This loss of population would contribute to the European domination of the continent and its people in the 1800's.
This unity of the first thirteen states provided the foundation of a future government.
ReplyDeleteThroughout this era slavery was such a huge part of the new world however, with the coming of the great awakening things started to change. This religious revival saw for the first time the equality of all men. Black men were even allowed to speak at the gatherings. "Prior to 1740 no ministers challenged the slave system and few even bothered to convert the enslaved Africans, deferring to the opposition of slave owners... The enslaved found in evangelical worship moments of equality with every other seeker."
"
The Chapter of Taylor this week focused on The Atlantic World and the Great Awakening. During this time documents like the Declaration of independence, Bill of Rights and the Constitution were adopted. The Declaration of Independence was an extremely important document That basically declared the American Colonies united as the United States and free from England rule.
ReplyDelete"Meanwhile, printed copies of the document circulated through the country, carrying the news that the United States had claimed, a separate and equal station among the powers of the earth."
This was the beginning of an equal treatment of slaves. From this point forward the world had started to change
P.426
ReplyDelete"Compared with the British, the French were more restrained and civil. Needing Indian allies to counter the British colonial numbers, the French treated most natives with diplomatic respect, generous presents and ready hospitality."
This was a great tactic that the French used to aid them during the whole expansion into America. Unlike the British they have to learn from the mistakes that the British made to ensure they do not disrespect the Natives in any way. By treating the Indians with respect not only did they gain allies in trade but also in war. This would lend a huge helping hand to the upcoming war with Britain.
p.432
"The British overwhelmed New France with the sheer numbers of soliders and sailors, warships and cannon. That ability to project military power across the Atlantic reflected British superiority in shipping, finance, and organization."
This point shows a huge tide turn into the British favor because they were able to have a massive influx of military might into America. This ability to gain the might to do this showed the world that England was not a force to be reckoned with. As they progressed showing their might they would also spend exuberant amounts of money to show how great they were.
"The planters employed the convicts as tobacco field hands, subject to the same treatment as slaves." (315)
ReplyDelete-I found this passage very interesting as it is commonly thought that only Native Americans and Africans were used as slaves. Furthermore that the plantation owners treated whites just as they treated blacks suggests the notion that convicts were equal in the minds of the planters. Here Taylor is trying to magnify the greed with which the plantation owners bought slaves. No matter the race, the promise of wealth was enough to use any one being sold for the purpose. Taylor attempts to make the plantation owners out to be this greedy, and inhumane entity that forgoes all morals in order to turn a profit.
"As small minorities dispersed among many households, the northern slaves lived and worked beside and among whites, often sleeping and eating in the master's house."( 333)
-I cant help but to feel that Taylor is trying to use a few instances like this in order to credit the plantation owners as being somehow not inhumane by allowing the slaves to live with them. It still doesn't erase the fact that the Africans are in bondage. On the other hand, I feel like this leniency was a move in the right direction when it comes to emancipating the slaves. Given the societal pressures of the time, if I had to own slaves I'd imagine trying to keep them off of the hard labor jobs and providing them with certain human necessities which it looks is being done given Taylor's passage.
"[I]n the older eastern counties, tenancy became more widespread as a life-long status-- a trap rather than a ladder upward"(309).
ReplyDeleteThis quote is an incredible foreshadowing of manifest destiny. The people residing in these tenants had come to the New World in order to better their lives and own land, not sit on someone else's property.The fact is that this overcrowding in such a small area reinforced peoples' desires to spread out across the Appalachian Mountains, ergo, manifest destiny.
"'[I]t is really possible to obtain all the things one can get in Europe in Pennsylvania, since so many merchant ships arrive there every year'"(311).
This quote by a German newcomer explains a few points. First, the colonies were becoming self-sufficient, even going as far as to nearly form their own government in the Albany Plan of Union (which was struck down by voting colonists). However this rising form of independence put the colonies on track to their eventual decision to leave Great Britain. Second, one can't help but wonder if the fact that colonies were putting out so many goods that they may have started thinking that maybe Britain was merely leaching off them. Thirdly, The fact that tea was imported at such a great number to the colonies through these ports, led to the tea act, which we all know held a major hand in pushing the colonists over the edge. Lastly, the fact that the colonies were so abundant in resources, commerce, and a huge part of the British colonies gives the British a major reason to invade U.S. soil in 1812 in order to take this land of perennial gold back for themselves.
"The planters employed the convicts as tobacco field hands, subject to the same treatment as slaves." (p. 315)
ReplyDeleteCommon knowledge of early American slavery is, for lack of a better term, black-and-white. There are many misconceptions involved in today's perception of the institution of slavery, and Taylor's quote above is an example of things commonly overlooked. Nuances in plantation life included the use of convicts as, essentially, slaves.
"As the colonial population became less English, it assumed a new ethnic and racial complexity, which increased the gap between freedom and slavery, privilege and prejudice, wealth and poverty, white and black." (p. 303)
Here, Taylor illustrates one important aspect of the effects of immigration and growth in population in colonial and early America. The quote gives an example of the complex relationships between the positive and negative aspects of population growth, in that the cultural makeup of America was enriched, but it encouraged economic and social divides.
"Men frequently owe their Wealth to the impoverishment of thier Neighbors."
ReplyDelete(Page 308)
This shows that in the colonies there is a noticeable difference in wealth. the example of ones wealth compared to a neighbors is directed towards an agricultural view. if one plot of land is high yielding in crops and is very prosperous then the land surrounding it would be that of less nutrients or not as productive. this also shows that a man can consider himself wealthy as long as his neighbor does not earn the same.
"Stature depends upon nutrition, and especially protein, so the superior height of free colonists attested to their better diet, especially rich in meat and milk." (Pg. 307)
this shows that the need to consider one group more superior than another came down to more than just the norm of skin tone but used other forms of classification. for instance the idea of a better diet is along the lines of making a person healthier weight wise but has not an influence upon hieght. The true reason for a white man compared to a black man in the category of height the factor to see would rather be the strenuous labor which would cause major back damage among worker carrying such large bags of whichever crop they were harvesting
"In 1729, the governor armed black slaves to massacre the sleeping Chaouacha in their village,"(389)
ReplyDeleteTaylor is showing that at all cost the french wanted to get the indians out of "their" land even so much that they trusted black slaves with weapons in order to do it. The French showed a lot of guts because the slaves could have easily turned on them with the weaponry that they were provided.
"Exposed to alcohol, disease, and violence, the Petites Nations dwindled from 24,000 in 1685 to just 4000 in 1730."
This shows that the exploration of the europeans really took a huge impact on the natives. This is because they were never exposed to what they now have been exposed to. The French had given the natives diseases and mutilation of the natives just slowly but surely slowed them down.
“Today the three documents seen parts of a whole; they are the “ founding documents” of the United States, the Americans’ “charters of freedom.” ( Maier 1)
ReplyDeleteI felt that this was important to not. These documents are the outline for the structure of the United States. This quote is referring to the Constitution, Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. These documents lay out the the laws, freedom and Independence of the American people.
“Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted.” ( Maier 79)
This Amendment I felt we could relate to the recent topics that we have been discussing in class about slaves and punishment. Though we did not have many discussions in class this ween, our readings mostly related to the wars and uprisings, which led to the founding documents of the United States. This quotes is basically lining out laws that should be followed for everyone in the United States.
“The delegates from the South wanted slaves counted equally with white people not because they were considered blacks equal to whites, but because that would increase the power of white Southerners.” Pg 26
ReplyDeleteThis quote is saying that they didn’t want the blacks to be considered equal to the whites, but they wanted the blacks votes to count. The southerners wanted the slaves counted when voting because it will increase the chance of their vote winning. The north didn’t want this because, obviously, that will decrease their chances of their vote winning. This quarrel eventually ended when they came up with the three-fifths compromise.
“They took on the defense of the Declaration and its principles, which gradually assumed an entirely new function—not as a revolutionary manifesto, but as a statement of principles to guide an established government, like a bill of rights.” Pg 42
In this quote, Maier is saying that the Republican Party was defending the constitution and everything it stands for. They made it so the people didn’t look at the constitution as a bunch of laws to follow, but as an outline for what the government should ultimately be like.
"On the sugar Islands, slaves outnumbered whites by more than three to one. That preponderance alarmed masters..." (Taylor 335).
ReplyDeleteIslands with sugar plantations were homes to the biggest number and most successful slave revolts. The Hatian Revolution, being one of the big ones, took a different approach of how to perform a revolution. Instead of complete and total violence they took over the government and reformed the way people thought about citizenship. Citizenship no longer involved skin color.
"By seizing Spanish shipping, ports, and islands around the Carribean, the war party hoped to restore Britain's predominance in the West Indies" (Taylor 422).
Here we see the British in attempts to prevent loosing all the land that they had just found to other countries. The capture of these shipping ports and islands also gave them a great foot hold for the eventual attack on the dissobedient colonists.
"It was notorious that no colonial jury would convict a settler for killing an Indian."
ReplyDeleteTaylor points out again the treatment of the Indians at the hands of the settlers who are now supposed to embody the spirit of freedom and enlightenment. The increase of British newcomers gave the settlers a sense of superiority and bravado.
"Embarked on his first command, Washington promptly displayed his inexperience. Although superior French numbers were building Fort Duquesne, Washington foolishly attacked and destroyed a small French patrol. Understandably upset, the main French force and their Indian allies surrounded Washington's camp... Washington was fortunate to receive generous terms from the victors."
Taylor points out that Washington was in fact human just like everyone else and not a sort of demi-god that certain textbooks and media outlets make him out to be.
“In the aggregate, the various regional surpluses and deficits eventually reached a near balance on the books of the London merchants, but there was a long-term trend toward increased debt owed by the mainland colonists, as their voracious demands as consumers exceeded even their considerable means as producers and formidable ingenuity as traders” (Taylor 304, 306).
ReplyDelete-Taylor is describing the initial complications that eventually lead to the American Revolution. At the time Britain was demanding goods from the colonies and the colonists were importing more than they could afford from Great Britain. The economic declines eventually lead to Britain having to tax the colonists to make up for the lack of goods. The taxes set forth by the British eventually led to the tragic and monumental events such as the Boston Tea Party.
“In addition to the fundamental divide between New and Old Lights, the evangelicals became subdivided into moderates and radicals. Both had a commitment to ‘experimental religion,’ but they differed over the implications for church and state institutions” (Taylor 353).
-Taylor is describing the first moment of the colonists’ efforts at separation of church and state. The separation of the two groups, moderates and the radicals was another effort that gave the colonists reason to separate from Britain. The colonists that were set on control under the church were still fully devoted to the crown. The colonists that felt the state should be separate from the church wanted to establish new power in the Americas, as well as a new government.
In 1754 a rather unnecessary war broke out in North America which ended in the removal of much of Frances influence. The seven years war was a conflict between Britain and France which begun over assumptions that the other was planning a rebellion based on mostly innocent actions. These actions became more treacherous however, as tensions grew between the nations and soon war erupted. General Braddock was a promising light for Britain but when he was routed by an ambush of French regulars, Indian warriors and Canadian militia Britains hopes flicked.
ReplyDelete“Although brave and energetic, Braddock was also arrogant, stubborn, and inexperienced at warfare in the American forests” (Taylor, Alan. P. 429).
Braddock had the chance to learn from the Indian allies they had, but regarded them as savages and in the end paid with his life.
The French went on the offensive from here and were only stopped when General Pitt was appointed and spent much of England's money recruiting men to march against France.
“ In 1757, Pitt boasted, ‘I believe that I can save this nation and that no one else can’(Taylor, Alan P. 430).
Pitt had around 45,000 men at his disposal and was able to use his resources to win the war and remove the French. However, England spent 4 million on this war while France spent around a tenth of that amount. While winning an important victory in North America England had also created a tough economic future for themselves.