Académique Documents
Professionnel Documents
Culture Documents
10
The Emergence of an American Identity.
National Identity
Not all members of the colonies could vote. In the original 13 colonies, suffrage, or the right to vote, existed only among male property owners. This was an early development of egalitarianism, or the spread of equality. Women and people of color did not have the right to vote in pre-Revolutionary America.
In 1676, a Virginia planter named Nathanial Bacon clashed with the British Royal Governor. Bacon wanted to make further war on the American Indians because he believed the colonists had more of a right to the land than did the Native Americans of the country. High taxes and low tobacco prices also caused resentment in the colony. Bacon and his men burned Jamestown in what became known as Bacons Rebellion. This incident is often considered a forerunner to the American Revolution.
Bacons Rebellion
Social Structure
Despite small advances in egalitarianism, as the colonies grew they developed a social structure. At the top were white men who owned property, especially large farms. Next came merchants and skilled laborers. Under them were indentured servants, and at the bottom were slaves.
What is American?
After the American Revolution, the United States began to form a national identity.
Today we see many things as American. Rock n Roll, Blue Jeans, Apple Pie, Baseball, etc. What does being an American mean to you?_______________________________ ___________________________________
Education
Northern towns usually had a central school, most often connected with the Church. Since members of these congregations lived in the same area, their children would be educated in a nearby school. But, in the South, towns were much farther apart because of large plantations. It was impractical to have children travel to school each day. The children of the wealthy planters were educated at home by private tutors, but the remainder of the southern children had little formal education. Thus a difference in the education system in the North and South was created.
An aristocratic Frenchman who came to the U.S. in 1831 when he was only 25 years old. Later wrote Democracy in America, a twovolume study of the American people and their political institutions. The book deals with issues like religion, the press, money, class structure, racism, the role of government, and the judicial system. All of these issues are still very relevant today.
Alexis de Tocqueville
Alexis de Tocqueville
Religious Pluralism
The Salem Witch Trials 1st Great Awakening Separation of Church and State
Some people whose behavior did not conform to religious or political norms were accused of witchcraft. The Salem Witch Trials of 1692 in Massachusetts, caused the death of 19 people, most of whom were women. Many were to be hung, while others died in prison
Jonathan Edwards
He emphasized the importance and power of an immediate, personal religious experience.
He warned Christians to follow the teachings of the Bible or suffer Gods wrath in the afterlife.