The Colonial Era and the Creation of American Culture
Uploaded by obcd21212 on Jun 09, 2005
The Colonial Era and the Creation of American Culture
Colonists went from considering themselves “British subjects” to identifying themselves as “Americans” by the impact of social and cultural maturation of the American colonies. A unique American culture gradually took shape, especially within the dimensions of government, religion, and economics imposed by both the colonists and the mother country. These cultural spheres helped impel the American colonists in the direction of eventual independence and help point the colonists toward a greater sense of American uniqueness. Altogether, innovations in both politics and religion in the colonies encouraged the development of a distinctive American identity.
Governmental wise, colonists “executed the powers in their charter…and exceeded them,” as described in Document C. Also, “They have obstructed the execution of the acts of Trade and Navigation…obstruct his officers in the discharge of their duty…and set up their own naval office…” In addition, Penn’s Plan for Union (1697), as expressed in Document F, states, “That the several colonies…meet once a year…and appointed duties, to debate and resolve of such measures as are most advisable for their better understanding and the public tranquility and safety…to consider the ways and means to support the union and safety of these provinces against the public enemies.” And Document D, in which it shows the Massachusetts Body of Liberties (1641). It describes the liberties which Massachusetts colonists were under such as “No mans life shall be taken away…No mans Cattel or goods of what kinde soever shall be pressed or taken for any publique use or service…No mans person shall be restrained or imprisoned by any authority whatsoever…” Also, Document H and I, which argue the “Rights of the British Colonies” and “Resolutions of the Stamp Act Congress.” The “Rights of the British Colonies” (Asserted and Proved) can be summed as, “that civil government is of God…every man in the dominions is a free man…no parts of His Majesty’s dominions can be taxed without their consent…every part has a right to be represented in the supreme or some subordinate legislature…the colonies are subordinate dominions and are now in such a state as to make it best for the good of the whole that they should not only be continued in the enjoyment of subordinate legislation but be also represented in some proportion to their number and estates in the grand legislature of the nation…and that this would firmly unite all pats of the...