The Movement Against the United States Colonization and Power

The Great Awakening

Beginning in the 1730s, a movement led by philosopher Jonathan Edwards and his followers, encouraged Christianity throughout the English colonies in America known as the Great Awakening. As enlightenment ideas arose during the time period, many were repelling from their religious beliefs and avoided attending church. Edwards along with other religious leaders seek to promote and reestablish the Christian religion, uniting the colonies that were religiously divided, and convincing individuals that humans needed to ask God for forgiveness by giving discourses about such faith. The Great Awakening, however, was not completely accepted and caused conflict not only with others such as traditionalists, but also within the colonies. Despite the disagreements, its actions were successful in part and led important cultural and social effects.

As a result, the Great Awakening changed perspectives towards religion and altered the notion of the people. The movement had significantly increased the number of slaves and free blacks that eventually were converted to Christianity. Additionally, pietism was influenced in Germany and Methodism in England, Methodist and Baptist preachers converting individuals disregarding race, gender, or social status. Concerning racial effects, whites welcomed blacks into their churches and education opportunities were enhanced for African Americans so they would be able to read the Bible, this way decreasing racial discrimination in North America.

It is interesting to become knowledgeable about the events that formed the functionalism and perceptions of one of the largest religions and how it was presented and further expanded. Whereas to past times, society does not deliberately demand conversion to a certain religion, however, the encouragement of Christianity and its practices are widely spread, and religious conflict remains a challenge. Thus, The Great Awakening leads to today’s faithful apprehension.

The Stamp Act

After the Seven Years War ended in 1763, a reform was imposed by the British government in 1765 with its purpose to apply taxes upon the American colonists. The act was initiated by the lord of the treasury, George Grenville, consisting of the colonists being charged a tax that would fund the British debts by providing 45,000 pounds annually for the total 325,000 owed. Documents and printed paper would require a tax stamp and most money collected would be utilized for British regiments in North America. The movement offered an efficient solution to obtain economic benefits for both the British and the Americas as it also regulated trade. However, conflict arose with the colonies as their rejections and threat assumptions of the act emboldened. The American colonists believed that the act was intended to enslave them and manipulate the determined decision for their possible accusations in the trails. Opposing acts were later taken, primarily by Patrick Henry, an American attorney, which led the denial of the British Parliament to collect taxes and motivated colonists to resist the Stamp Act. Sons of Liberty was another group formed by the colonists which led a mob in Boston of which behaved violently, tarring and feathering British officials. Eventually, their performance succeeded as most stamp distributors resigned and the act was later repealed.

Interestingly, the Stamp Act was initially enacted as a way to avoid economic decline but was restored as an issue that united individuals from the thirteen colonies despite their differences and created social interaction amongst the colonists and the government. The event has a connection to modern times as taxes have also dominated in expenses and income, although, newspapers and other paper such as legal documents, are seldom taxed liked they were during the Stamp Act, and the severe punishments or violent protests such as the ones made by the colonist, do not occur.

Louisiana Purchase

In 1803, a successful accomplishment recognized as the Louisiana Purchase was acquired, allowing a greater expansion of territory, approximately 828,000 square miles from France, in the United States. After the French and Indian War, French Louisiana was transferred west of the Mississippi and held in control of Spain, however, Spain did not properly develop Louisiana. A treaty would then be signed in 1801 after Spain allied with France and was cut off from America by British power, returning Louisiana to France authority.

In 1802, President Jefferson sent James Monroe to Paris in response to the US- Spanish treaty, which gave Americans the right to store goods in New Orleans. Eventually, the French offered the purchase of the Louisiana territory to the United States. The offering was believed to result from economic difficulties prior to failure from France in its attempt to stop the Haitian slave revolt. With the Louisiana territory bought at over $15,000,000, American expansion towards the west was facilitated and even the Lewis and Clark expedition began throughout what would in 1812, become part of the U.S. states.

It is interesting to discover the events surrounding the country that has evolved to what it is in modern day and how much impact situations and decisions made in the past affect today’s society. Ironically, the Louisiana territory was introduced as worthless and uninhabited, for which it was disposed of, but was later a main goal of the countries involved. Moreover, the Louisiana Purchase is considered to be an essential part of U.S. history as it promotes the inclusion of 15 states including North and South Dakota, Missouri, Iowa, Arkansas, and others, extending the country’s size as well as incrementing continental and political power of the United States. The absence of this movement would have likely not only reduced American land, but also limit the people’s rights, property ownership, and economic stability.

Abraham Lincoln

Recognized as a prestige president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln was a significant individual during the 1860s. Born in Kentucky, Lincoln grew up in a devastating environment in which his mother was not present and he viewed his father as anti-intellectual and lazy, of which characteristics motivated Lincoln to deviate from following such behavior. He later received an education and worked various jobs, but eventually decided to study law. Lincoln challenged Stephen Douglas in 1858 for the seat in the U.S. Senate, gaining the attention of Republican leaders and received a position for presidency nomination, of which he won.

Abraham Lincoln had the ambition to advocate the abolition of slavery leading to the creation of the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863. The document allowed enslaved African Americans to retain their freedom if the Union was to win the battle in the Civil War. Conflict, however, arose as those of the south did not approve, and the proclamation only applied to southern states in rebellion. Regardless, the actions led by President Lincoln changed to an extent the lifestyle of the Americans, suggesting union, equality, and a new perspective towards war. Furthermore, Lincoln designated abolitionists to the Supreme Court instituted the nation’s first income tax and managed the Department of Agriculture.

It is interesting to further learn about not only the accomplishments and the title this president has obtained, but also the way his childhood influenced the decisions and ideas of Abraham Lincoln. Additionally, it is also important to notice the outcomes and connections that are present between current society and President Lincoln. Lincoln’s authority in politics influenced a greater movement to the end of slavery nationwide overtime and strengthened the federal government through his rule. The actions from Lincoln eventually emerged in support of the political governance and the freedom and rights that remain in the prevailing period.

The New World

By the year 1492, Christopher Columbus had promoted clout of European expansion in the Americas, predominantly in the western hemisphere. In the 17th century, English settlers would begin their exploration of the Powhatan land to establish their Jamestown colony. The land inhabited Native American tribes under Chief Wahunsenacawh, referred to as Chief Powhatan. After Powhatan’s realization of the English knowledge, lack of starvation, and advancement in weapon technology, he decided to support the English settlers. Interaction between both groups eventually improved their relationship, especially through exchanges in which the natives provided food and fur, while the English gave the Indians utensils, cloth, and guns. Conflict, however, arose as the Indians neglected their agriculture for hunting and the settlers continued to affect the traditional culture.

The event of the American colonization by the English in 1607 was significant to the development of the U.S., commonly enacted in modern day through stories and films such as “The New World” of 2005. Despite that the creations are made based on the true events, there are often few differences that alter its historical accuracy while there are also similarities involved as well.

For instance, in the film, the most noticeable difference that is shown is the romantic relationship between John Smith and Pocahontas as this never occurred, although, the relationship she held with John Rolfe was indeed part of the actual history. Another similarity was the intentions of the settlers to build a colony and the goal of John Smith to restore his reputation after being accused of mutiny. It is also true that John Smith was lenient towards the natives and was interested in learning about them and negotiating with them. A memorable scene of the story was the capturing of Smith and how Pocahontas saved John’s life, which is also considered to be accurate, however, studies suggest that this was most likely a plan of the Indians to integrate John for trade or for Powhatan to show his tribe’s dominance over the English. In the film, as John Smith returns to his people, walls made from the trees cut is also part of history, of which were used in separation to the natives. The film adds Smith’s description of the natives as calm and peaceful, however, as mentioned previously, the tribe had dominating motives and were commonly characterized as violent. Diseases that the English contracted such as smallpox and the bubonic plague were also depicted in the movie, demonstrating the effect the native land had on the settler’s well-being. Additionally, the support of the natives was true, although, contradicting to the scenes in the movie, the natives eventually refused to provide supplies to the settlers and therefore were mistreated, forced into labor, had their villages burned, and attacked, following Smith’s response. Furthermore, Pocahontas did move to England and had her name changed to Rebecca, had a child named Thomas, as well as died from an unknown disease, all of which was reinforced into the film’s ending.

The movie seems to be mostly accurate referencing to the historical context of the event, but as explained, it does contain a few uncertainties. The film mainly focuses on the affair between the characters Pocahontas and Smith, and between Pocahontas and Rolfe, of which performs the popularized version of the story. Despite the contrariety, the historical event of the English colonization in America remains an important part of economic and knowledge growth and the diffusion of religious ideas into the new world. Due to English colonization, the population of Native Americans declined, eventually leading to America being influenced by the English beliefs and ideas rather than the traditional ways of the Indians. It is interesting to discover the actions taken to transform America into what it would become over time and the great impact such events have on the people that they are often extensively shared.