Sense of identity and unity as Americans Essay - 622 Words

AP AM HISTORY DBQ 2- (An A+ Essays Original Paper, written by Zoo Patrol) To what extent had the colonists developed a sense of their identity and unity as Americans by the eve of the Revolution? Most of the first settlers in America came from England and considered themselves to be Englishmen. At first they relied on their mother country for money, supplies and protection. As the colony became larger and more populous, people gradually started feeling as if they were a separate nation. By the eve of the Revolution the patriotism has built up to such an extent, that the colonists believed America was self-sufficient enough to exist as independent unit from England. At first, America existed just as any of the other English colonies.†¦show more content†¦However that changed after the end of the French and Indian war. The British losses were extremely heavy and it would hardly by able to defend itself if war was to brake out. Therefore England did not have a sufficient armed force to enforce its laws. Even though America was now completely self-sufficient, there were still people loyal to England. Often referred to as the Tories, they did not want to abandon their parent country. The loyalists believed that America would never survive without Englands protection and guidance. Mather Byles said, ...which is better, to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away, or by three thousand tyrants not a mile away. (The Famous Mather Byles). People like him believed that creating a separate government in America would not solve any problems, but only create more new ones. Others preached that it is a shame to leave their parent country. However, since the loyalists made up a small percentage of the population and were generally rich, the majority of people rarely favored their ideas. Prior to the breakout of the Revolution, many Tories had been tarred and feathered, beaten, or were subjected to other forms of punishment. By 1760s the Americans increasingly felt a sense of unity and their own identity. The people knew that if they do not unite it would be much easier for the British to destroy them. However the each of the colonies still tended toShow MoreRelatedTo What Extent Had the Colonists Developed a Sense of Their Identity and Unity as Americans by the Eve of the Revolution?1474 Words   |  6 Pagesdeveloped a sense of their identity and unity as Americans by the eve of the Revolution? A single colony cannot depart from its mother country and lead a revolution; only a whole united nation, such as that of the American colonies, could successfully detach themselves from Mother England. One must take into consideration that up until the eve of revolution, much had happened in the time era of 1607-1776, where the British were still very involved in the American lifestyle and there was no unity withinRead MoreEssay on Development of the American Identity Between 1750 and 1776919 Words   |  4 PagesKeum Yong (Andrew) Lee DBQ – Score 8/9 (95) In what ways and to what extent did the â€Å"American identity† develop between 1750 and 1776? Though the American colonists had not achieved a true, uniform sense of identity or unity by 1776, on the eve of Revolution, the progress towards unity and the inchoate idea of an â€Å"American† between 1750 and 1776 is inevitable in both existence and significance. 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These Americans developed new beliefs that alienated themselves from their fellow Europeans, and as war escalated between France and Great Britain, this feeling was reaffirmed when these Americans came together to defend their colonies. Nonetheless, this sense of unity and self identity would not stop after the conclusion of the Seven Year s War, but it would continue as Great BritainRead MoreAssimilation Process That Immigrants And International Students Undergo1065 Words   |  5 Pagesgotten in her home country. As a result, the various opportunities and characteristics of people that compose the United States can positively influence an immigrant’s assimilation process. A second problematic aspect of cultural assimilation into American culture revolves around the theory of the â€Å"marginal man.† Pedraza goes on to describe and address this theory in her article by stating the following: â€Å"†¦marginal human beings- those who, as a result of migration, ended up living simultaneously inRead MoreCivic Engagement Should Be A Consistent Activity Within The African American Community896 Words   |  4 Pagesconsistent activity within the African American community. It is simply ignorant to say, â€Å"civic engagement is not my responsibility.† As a country we all depend on each other to achieve our set destiny. As Dr. King suggested, we must come together and establish unity because â€Å"We are caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.† Civic engagement has the power to reclaim and establish the identity of the African American community. The African proverb, â€Å"I am becauseRea d MoreEssay on The Extent of American Unity and Identity1339 Words   |  6 PagesExtent of American Unity and Identity Since early colonization the English colonies had always felt closer to England than to each other. In fact, it took a British newspaper less time to reach Savannah than a letter from Massachusetts. However, after the French and Indian War a sense of unity began to permeate through the colonies as a result of British acts. For every British action there was an American reaction, which fed the spirit of a new identity as Americans, not