Becoming American

As you read chapter 4, I want you to look for ways the British  colonies were developing their own identies, separate from the "mother" country of Great Britain. In short, how the colonies were breaking away. What were some of the factors and events that lead to the development of this "American" identity AND what did it mean back then to be "American." What does it mean today to be "American"? Any similarities?

For chapter 5, I want you to consider four things: 1) How did an American identity contribute to the rebellion and then ultimately the Revolution (there's a difference between a rebellion and a revolution); 2) What did it REALLY mean when the colonists said "No taxation without representation." Was it REALLY about taxes? 3) How important were the lower classes as opposed to the wealthy/gentry class to the success of the rebellion/revolution? 4) In your opinion, could the slide from rebellion to revolution have been stopped? If so, where/when (no right or wrong answer to this).

Comments

[OLIVIER BLE]

From Chapter 4
The four colonies did have different ways of developing their identities separated from "mother" England.

1- NEW ENGLAND COLONY: because of their strong belief in God and his creature,they stayed attached to family values. They started accepting outsiders as long as they didn't attempt to corrupt their way of living. Beside that they stressed on education because they wanted every body to be able to read the bible. So almost all the inhabitants were literate. They developed a town living by buildings ships which would be able to trade and exchange the goods they had started to produce. Also, with John Winthrop, they established a form of government based on voluntary consent by the governed and not by intimidating or force.

2-MIDDLE COLONIES: William Penn with his policies of liberty of religion with the "Quakers" and the freedom of owning lands and farming without lease attracted people from diverse places around the world.Most of these immigrants were mostly poors.This diversity of population brought differents cultures,news thinkers and together started to develop the colony.They built seaports,built houses in differents achitectural ways.Trade became prosperous,farmers and artisans were wealthy. This diversity developed the colony.

3- THE CHESAPEAKE COLONIES: These colonies were developed very differently. To the pursuit of Gold and Glory, the Chesapeake became the tobacco cash crops region. The colonists were mostly indentured.When the indentured servants decided to claim their freedom, it was a lack of laborers to work in the farms. Slavery became the issue to solve this problem of workers. They started buying African slaves from Europeans. The large ratio of men for women gave the opportunity to women to chose their husband,so only wealthy men could have wives and owned slaves.

Being American in the has different meaning according to where you were living. I the North you had to work to develop the colony and have a strong believe in God. In the South, you had to own land, slaves and wife, be wealthy. At this time the slaves and indentured servants were not considerated. Now, things have changed, we have the United States of America. Americans are those who were born here (Native Americans) and those immigrated here and all work in the interest of the nation. There are also nonimmigrant populations. There are some similarities with the past because of this separation of native Americans and Immigrates. That's how I saw this last question,I'll be glad to have more informations on that.

[Rediet Haile]

Discussion on Chapter 4 and 5
In the 18 century the characters of the British people who settled in America where changing from there old believes. they where thinking more Americanized (democratic). What started the road to revolution was the house of commons in London wanted to tax the Americans. But the Americans believed in " No taxation with out representation". The tea act was the final act that pushed the Americans lead by Samuel Adams to the fight for independence.
Enlightenment gave the people reason. Americans still defended Christianity but they where open to new knowledge and inventions. This form of thinking helped them with there independence movement.
The publication of " common sense" i believe made the transition from rebellion to independence for the Americans.
Rediet Haile

[kwame sarfo]

More About chapter 5
Taxation without Representation means, when the colonist have to pay taxes they dont agree to pay if they are not allowed to be part of the government, also they cannot contribute their aims either Good or Bad.
during American revolution 2 third were the wealthy loyalist controlling the middle class and the lower class as well.
in my oppinion the American revlution couldnt be possible to be stopped due to challengies between two parties fighting for equility, taxes as the major problem.

[Patrick sheehy]

To be American meant to have control over yourself. Most Americans had a level of control over their affairs that was simply not present in england. The rebellion started because the motherland sought to extend it's control over the colonies without granting them an equal say. This marked a shift away from the previous several centuries of indifference.

The rebellion became a revolution once the declaration of independence was issued. The monarchy had attempted reconciliation with the colonies before the declaration, it would not afterward.

[Susan Jelanizada]

When the colonies moved to the new world and made their own identities they did not want to be linked to the “mother” country of Great Britain anymore. Because in the new world they found the chances to be free and then the Enlightenment also opened people’s minds and made them understand the real freedom to choose their own ways. That’s why to be American meant to be free or democrat, which people still believes in that in today's America, United States of America the land of Freedom.
When British government asked Americans to tax and People who were living in the new world did not want, so this belief has created disagreements in the minds of Americans to put their steps in to the rebellion. When the colonies said no tax without representation they meant that the do not live in that country and they work hard only for themselves why would they pay tax. And It was not really about tax, they were thinking about freedom. By paying tax to British government they would not feel American, but related to the mother country. these disagreements brought people's attention ultimately to the American Revolution . In my opinion, the slide from rebellion to revolution could have been stopped only if the Great Britain would accept the demand of the colonists who said “No taxation without representation”.

[rediet haile]

Disscussion on chapter 5 The Revolution:

The british where concerned in the fact that america where getting a lot of profit and it was growing by a fast rate. and since there economy wasnt doing so well they thought they can tax americans for there profit. The americans where concerned in the sense that they where not reperesented so they left they should not be taxed.
I think the americans are right since they made the profit own there own with out the help of britin they should not be taxed by the parliment.

[Monique Ricks]

To begin with coming to a new land and starting over was a way of thinking different to me because it tells me that they wanted to find a new and different way of life. The Great awakening played a large role in the changes that British Americans made. I believe that they finally realized that they could think on their own and that it was ok to have your own opinions and beliefs.It is still much similar today . Immigrats today come from other countries in hopes of a better life and better opportunities. Also the fact that we as Americans have the so much freedom. It may sound so pasa' but for me that is what i see.

Chap. 5
I don't think that the people were as upset just paying taxes i think the fact that there was no one in British Parliment to represent them, like in D.C., paying all those taxes but not having a congressperson, governor or or anyone else to actually represent them. That hasgot to suck. It's pretty much like saying you have no say so and your opinion doesn't matter