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The American Identity was something that was developed over many generations, through different factors and different events, creating what the American society is today. Colonists brought this identity with them when they fled the old world bringing along some of their same ideals. The ideals they brought along predisposed colonists to their social standing and acceptance. Race, gender, and religion are some of the main ideals that played a role in forging The American Identity. Colonial Era Americas identity ushered in by colonists moving to the New World began the story of how and why people became American.
Old-world ideals followed colonists to the New World which helped create the foundation for the American Identity. Samuel de Champlain shows how they carried old ideals to the New World when he states &plant the Christian faith and establish such order as is necessary for the protection of a country& In this passage, Champlain is speaking about spreading fundamental aspects of civilization deemed necessary in the Old World. He believed Christianity was the key to a successful state and wanted to plant it wherever he went. Champlain is just one example of the vast movement and implementation of old ideals in a new world.
Ideals that were brought to the New World affected the standing and acceptance of colonists in their communities. A woman that hath had a great share in the promoting and divulging of those opinions that are the cause of this trouble (The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson at the Court at Newton, 1637). This quote is Governor Winthrop speaking to Mrs. Hutchinson, a woman that strayed from the ideals of the church. The quote portrays that if anyone deviates from what is deemed appropriate, even in religion, they are labeled as the cause of trouble. She was then told if she did not change her actions she would be removed from the community (The Examination of Mrs. Anne Hutchinson at the Court at Newton, 1637). That fact is so significant because it conveys how strict their rules, based upon Old World ideals, were.
One major aspect of the Colonial Era that shaped The American Identity was race, specifically African slavery. Winthrop Jordan states that Europeans had long viewed people of color as inferior beings. He goes on to say Europeans carried that idea to the New World. Robin Blackburn mentions that entrepreneurs learned very quickly that slave labor was much more profitable. These passages are so significant because it shows Europeans carried over their idea of being superior. This led to an explosion of agricultural business and allowed the New World to grow. The divide between races that began in the Colonial Era still remains in trace amounts in todays time.
Gender is another aspect of the Colonial Era that shaped The American Identity. In a manuscript written by Judith Sargent Murray, it is easy to see the divide between genders. She is not qualified to accompany him (Murray, On the Equality of Sexes), stands out and shows the gender divide. During the Colonial Era, women were not even deemed fit to accompany a man. Murray also talks about women were convinced they were inferior. This divide is significant because it is what so strictly maintains gender roles that were a major part of The American Identity.
Lastly, religion was most likely the most influential factor in forming The American Identity. A Model of Christian Charity, by John Winthrop, presents an abundance of evidence supporting this claim. He states, GOD ALMIGHTY in his most holy and wise providence, hath soe disposed of the condition of mankind& (Winthrop, A Model of Christian Charity ). This means God knows all about mankind. Winthrop also states, True Christians are of one body in Christ&, meaning that Christ and all believers are joined together. The significance of these passages is that God unites everyone and knows everything which gave a sense of comfort during the extreme uncertainty of the Colonial Era.
Another way religion was deemed important to the colonist was in battle. To protect your Brethren from the most bloody Barbarites& (Samual Davies, Religion and Patriotism the Constituents of a Good Solider, 1755), is the beginning of a rallying cry, from the French and Indian War. The cry goes on to state everything important in life to fight for with the main focus placed on religion. The most excellent, rational, and divine religion that ever was& (Samual Davies, Religion and Patriotism the Constituents of a Good Solider, 1755), is stated in the middle of the sermon. Religion was so significant to colonists that they not only believed that it would protect them, they were willing to sacrifice themselves to protect their religion as well.
Trace the story of America back to the Colonial Era and numerous aspects of the identity of America originate from Old World ideals. Race, gender, and religious ideals were highly important in creating this identity. A multitude of these ideals brought to America many generations and still have an impact on modern lives, truly creating The American Identity.
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