America was colonized by Great Britain in the 18th century. They gained their independence in 1776 and from there became a new, independent country in charge of themselves. However, they were still dependent politically, economically, and culturally on Europe. But, by 1830 America became independent politically by setting up their own government, economically with a foundation based on capitalists, and culturally by creating a new culture defined by new ways of speaking and behavior. Democracy became the foundation of America, unlike the monarchies all around the world, leading America to be the only successful democratic government of the time. The United States economy became the product of capitalism and a new labor class, instead of investments of the rich. Social differences such as an American dialect and class structure became entirely independent from Europeans. Before 1830, America had gained political independence by winning the American Revolution and the War of 1812. However, they still relied on Great Britain to back them up in the Monroe Doctrine. That was until the U.S. built up their army in the late 1820s early 30s and were able to turn dependence on Europe to a partnership and alliance. Another thing that made America independent from European politics is that America set up a democratic government and not a monarchy. Americans believed that monarchies take money from their people in order to run their country (Doc C). People came to America in search of freedom and independence, so America developed a political system founded on these ideals instead of wealth and power. And although their government was strong, it was not until around the 1830s that the American government began to become powerful and showed ... ... middle of paper ... ...h Language in America," Annals of American History. Ed. A Diary in America, London, 1839, Vol. II, pp. 217–247. Document E: Francis J. Grund " Reflections on America," Annals of American History. Ed. The Americans, in Their Moral, Social, and Political Relations, Boston, 1837, pp. 37–41, 206–211, 223–224, 323–324. Document F: Shepherd, William R. The Organization of Territories in the United States since 1803. Map. 1923. University of Texas Libraries. Web. 31 Oct. 2013. . Document G: Ralph Waldo Emerson " Young America," Annals of American History. Ed. Nature Addresses and Lectures, Boston, 1903, pp. 363–395. Document H: Nathan Appleton " Labor and Wealth in Europe and America," Annals of American History. Ed. Labor, Its Relations in Europe and the United States Compared, Boston, 1844.
After the war of 1812, the United States moved toward to the creation of a unified national state and by 1830 became a nation-state. Through major changes in infrastructure, establishments of national banks, and the purchases of land, America was developing into its own fully functional and self-sufficient nation.
Henretta, James A., and David Brody. America: A Concise History. Vol. 1. Boston/New York: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009.
The American Revolution (1775-1783) was a war between England and the colonies which were settled earlier by the English. There were many factors and events that led to the American Revolution. The Revolution was mainly an economic rebellion that was fueled by taxation without representation following the French and Indian War. The English Parliament was more often than not considered cruel and unfair by the colonists. With conflicts over trade, taxes and government representation, the colonies were at a starting line of a revolution that would later transform into the basis of the United States of America.
“Is there a single trait of resemblance between those few towns and a great and growing people spread over a vast quarter of the globe, separated by a mighty ocean?” This question posed by Edmund Burke was in the hearts of nearly every colonist before the colonies gained their independence from Britain. The colonists’ heritage was largely British, as was their outlook on a great array of subjects; however, the position and prejudices they held concerning their independence were comprised entirely from American ingenuity. This identity crisis of these “British Americans” played an enormous role in the colonists’ battle for independence, and paved the road to revolution.
Henretta, James A and David* Brody. America: A concise History . Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2010. Document.
Divine, Robert A. America past and Present. 10th ed. Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education/Longman, 2013. 245. Print.
America has grown to be the country it is today not by luck, but by the fact that it has struggled in trying to become an independent nation. Regardless of the hardships, turmoil, and chaos it has gone through, the events that occurred between the years 1865-1900 have caused America to be the independent nation that it is today.
Works Cited Faulker, William. The. American Studies at The University of Virginia. 1 April 1997. Online.
In this article, the author states the facts behind how America was adopted, which is important to understanding the government. John Adams, a founder of America, writes that the separation from Britain is “an opportunity of beginning government anew from the foundation.” In the beginnings, George Washington was offered to become the king by the people, but he wanted a republic instead. Once the colonies was independent, the first business the Whigs wanted to take care of was eliminating the monarchy and the idea of any kings. However, the concept of governing themselves was new because no other nation was doing it. This lead to worries from Adams who was afraid that the people were used to governing single cities not the possibility of 20 - 50 states. He also worried that because half of the population was under sixteen years of age. The author also explains how despite a democracy being formed, it was a common understanding at the time that there wouldn't be citizenship for Indians,women, and blacks. Additionally, the author mentions that in order to be successful, one must own land which was abundant and cheap at the time. Overall, the article explains in a factual manner how the government was formed based on the creation of
From the founding of the American colonies by the British, They had practiced salutary neglect. They allowed the colonist to become use to the idea of self-rule. This lasted through to the writing of the Declaration of Independence and the Constriction. Although there was fighting between the Large-state plan and the small state plan, they compromised to a two house legislative branch. The formation of a new government like this can be challenging, but through compromises like this they made it work. They need a government that is strong enough to keep the union but not too strong that it is tyrannical. But with the development of checks and balances they add a self-limiting power to the
The American Revolution marked the divorce of the British Empire and its one of the most valued colonies. Behind the independence that America had fought so hard for, there emerged a diverging society that was eager to embrace new doctrines. The ideals in the revolution that motivated the people to fight for freedom continued to influence American society well beyond the colonial period. For example, the ideas borrowed from John Locke about the natural rights of man was extended in an unsuccessful effort to include women and slaves. The creation of state governments and the search for a national government were the first steps that Americans took to experiment with their own system. Expansion, postwar depression as well as the new distribution of land were all evidence that pointed to the gradual maturing of the economic system. Although America was fast on its way to becoming a strong and powerful nation, the underlying issues brought about by the Revolution remained an important part in the social, political and economical developments that in some instances contradicted revolutionary principles in the period from 1775-1800.
... An American History of the World. 4th ed. of the book. W.W. Norton, 2012, 671. 2.)
George Browm Tindall, David Emory Shi. American History: 5th Brief edition, W. W. Norton & Company; November 1999
Lefler, Hugh T., and William S. Powell. Colonial North America. New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1973.
3. Divine, Breen, Fredrickson, Williams, eds., America Past and Present Volume II: since 1865 sixth edition (New York: Longman 2002).