American Colonization Debates

Discontent and Arguments for Colonization

• Many British people were discontented with the colonization of the New World and the American continent
• Compelling arguments in favor of colonization included the availability of underutilized lands in Britain, providing an opportunity for better land use and expansion

Intellectual Influences: Thomas More's Utopia

• Thomas More's "Utopia" played a significant role in swaying British opinion in favor of colonization
• More advocated for a better world governed by intellectual dominance, emphasizing the importance of better land use and presenting an ideal society run by intellectual intelligence

Arrival and Colonization in the New World

• The British eventually arrived in the New World, forming colonies and bringing their religious beliefs with them
• This period saw the rise of strict Puritan societies, leading to significant events like the Salem witch trials

The Salem Witch Trials

• Accusations and Religious Monitoring:
  • In 1692, four teenage girls were accused of witchcraft in Salem, Massachusetts
  • The Puritan society, characterized by intense religious monitoring, played a crucial role in these accusations
  • Without a central divine authority, such as a pope, the Puritans believed in personal covenants with God, monitored by the community members themselves
• Role of African-American Slaves:
  • The arrival of African-American slaves, who practiced their own religions, added complexity to the situation
  • Some teenage girls in Salem, intrigued by the practices of a slave named Tituba, followed her into the woods for her rituals
  • These sessions, although harmless, led to Tituba being the first person accused of witchcraft
• Trials and Prosecutions:
  • The Salem witch trials became a watershed moment, characterized by fear and hysteria
  • In 1692, around 150 people were prosecuted, although not all were executed
  • The trials were influenced by several factors, including religious tensions, the presence of French and Native American threats, and epidemics brought from the Old World
• Land Ownership and Patriarchy:
  • Many of the women prosecuted during the Salem witch trials were landowners
  • According to British law, if the head of the household died, land inheritance was restricted to the eldest son
  • In the absence of male heirs, the government confiscated the land
  • This law led to the prosecution and execution of women landowners during the trials, with their lands subsequently confiscated

The Call for Democracy and Enlightenment

• Rise of Democratic Ideas:
  • The aftermath of the Salem witch trials saw an outcry for democracy
  • New newspapers emerged, publishing articles against British rule and advocating for democratic ideals
  • Benjamin Franklin's mother was among the writers who voiced strong opposition to British rule
• Benjamin Franklin's Early Life:
  • Born in Boston, Massachusetts, Franklin was exposed to various professions before finding his passion in printing
  • His early experiences, including working as a carpenter and then an editor, shaped his intellectual pursuits
  • Franklin's involvement in his brother's newspaper led to his interest in the Enlightenment movement, which emphasized reason and common sense

The Enlightenment and the American Revolution

• Intellectual Foundations:
  • The Enlightenment, a period that valued reason and common sense, influenced many American revolutionaries
  • Contrary to the secular perception of the Enlightenment, many of its proponents, including Franklin, were deeply religious
  • The Enlightenment promoted the idea that human intelligence should govern society, leading to democratic ideals
• Impact of Wars and Taxation:
  • The British-French War and subsequent Indian Wars led to increased taxation on colonies
  • This financial burden, particularly on merchants dealing in tea, sugarcane, and cotton, fueled anti-British sentiment
  • The Boston Tea Party became a significant event, where revolutionaries protested against British taxes, marking the beginning of the American Revolution

The American Revolution

• Revolutionary Figures:
  • The American revolutionary army, led by generals like George Washington, Lafayette, and Israel Putnam, fought against the British
  • Despite a significant portion of the army not being revolutionary in spirit, economic disruptions forced many to join the fight
• Declaration of Independence:
  • On July 4, 1776, the Declaration of Independence was signed in Philadelphia by figures such as Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and Thomas Paine
  • This declaration marked a formal break from British rule and emphasized unalienable rights such as life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
• The Legacy of the Revolution:
  • Women's Role and Rights:
    • The American Revolution saw the emergence of women essayists who advocated for freedom and equality
    • Despite the rhetoric of equality, the rights discussed were primarily for men under the Christian God, highlighting ongoing gender disparities
  • Influence on French Revolution:
    • Prominent figures like Thomas Paine and Lafayette, after the American Revolution, contributed to the French Revolution
    • The American and French revolutions were pivotal in promoting the modern man's idea of self-governance and liberty
  • Ongoing Struggles for Equality:
    • The revolutions, while advocating for liberty, equality, and fraternity, were limited by patriarchal and societal constraints
    • The fight for true liberty and equality continues, challenging the limitations imposed by historical structures

Historical Context of Post-Revolutionary America

• Native American Involvement:
  • At the end of the American Revolution, the new American government was being established, with George Washington leading the American forces
  • During this time, Native Americans found themselves in a complex and precarious situation
  • The British, who were negotiating with the Native Americans, attempted to gain their support by arguing that the attacks on Native lands were the actions of the American colonies, not the British
• The Treaty of Paris and Subsequent Tensions:
  • The Treaty of Paris in 1783 officially ended the Revolutionary War, with the British recognizing the United States as an independent nation
  • However, tensions between the British and the new American government did not immediately dissipate
  • During James Madison’s presidency, the British attacked Washington, D.C., capturing it briefly before being driven out

Origins of the American Revolution

• The American Revolution was sparked by events like the Boston Tea Party, driven by protest against British taxation, particularly affecting major landowners and merchants
• Financial support for the revolution came from these wealthy landowners and merchants, who also sought assistance from France

Post-Revolution Government Debates

• Post-revolution, a critical debate in Congress centered on the structure of the new government, particularly the balance of power between federal and state authorities
• Alexander Hamilton advocated for a strong federal government with a central treasury, funded by taxes from landowners and merchants
• Thomas Jefferson championed states' rights, opposing centralized taxation

Political Landscape and the Abolition of Slavery

• This federal versus state power debate continued to influence American politics
• The issue of slavery further divided the country during the Civil War era
• Federalists generally supported the abolition of slavery, while states' rights advocates believed each state should decide on the matter independently

The Literary Scene in the United States

• Nationalistic Literature:
  • The literary scene in the United States during this period was marked by a strong focus on national literature
  • Writers and critics debated what constituted “American literature” and what themes and values it should promote
  • Central to this discussion was the idea that good literature should uphold American values and reflect the nation’s unique identity
• Moral and Didactic Purpose of Literature:
  • The prevailing belief was that literature should serve a moral and didactic purpose
  • Writers were expected to promote Christian, and more specifically Puritan, values
  • Edgar Allan Poe emerged as a distinctive voice, criticizing the dominant literary trends of his time
• Edgar Allan Poe's Critique and Contribution:
  • Poe argued for the ”unity of effect,” the idea that a poem or story should evoke a single, intense emotional response
  • He believed that a poem should be a concentrated expression of emotion, rather than a narrative vehicle for moral lessons
  • This concept led him to develop what is often called ”Dark Romanticism,” which explored the darker aspects of human experience and emotion