The Second Great Awakening was the second religious revival in the United States. The revival was very prominant in the Midwest and the Northwest. People started to believe that God did no longer play an important part of their lives. The attendance in church's across the nations dropped, as people thought that God did not care about their attendence. Which would mean a drop in income into church's. This can be referred to as "cheap grace" which is the action of thinking you are entitled to the same rights as someone who worships avidly and go to church every week, when you (or anyone) just thinks that by believeing in god you are entitled to the same benefits as those who worships religously. Many people thought like this in the second great awakening, and participated in this so called "cheap grace".
Charles Finney was an influential evangelist of the Second Great Awakening. He mostly spread his message in New York. Many different religious groups benefited from the Second Great Awakening including Baptists and methodists, finding the largest number of converts. Also occuring from the revivals came the Morman people, which as everyone knows, is a religion that multiple wives is allowed for the men.(which is awesome)
The revival encouraged American people to return to God, and to return to church. The revival worked and church attendance increased and a desire to reform America also arose. The Second Great Awakening also inspired the limit of alcohol consumption and to abolishment of slavery.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Slavery from the 1770-1820
The North and the South pull apart from one another in there ideas of slavery. The North was of mostly well educated and new the importance of learning to read and write. On the other hand the South was less educated with about over 1/3 of the southerners lacking the ability to read or write. Many of the northerners were against the idea of the slave trade and wanted to abolish it. In 1817 the American Colonization Society wanted the slaves to be emancipated for the own good of the southern states. One of the founders of the American Colonization Society, President Monoroe felt that his state of Kentucky progressed slower in fields of agriculture, manufactures, and prosperity of society. But the southerners would not give up their slaves they owned.
With basically all of the blacks born in America they created a homogeneous rural culture. They still kept up their traditions from Africa that they have brought over. The slaves created some of their own rituals so they felt as if they were a stable community with strong core families. For example, the way couples symbolized their marriages was by jumping over a broomstick in a public ceremony. Considering they could not become "legally" be married thats how they celebrated in their own way. Another ritual they had was how they named their children. Sons were named after their fathers, uncles or grandfathers and daughters after their grandmothers. The slaves were very optimistic about their situations working for their white owners in that they took everyday at a time working on their specific daily tasks leaving the rest of their day to do what they wanted.
With basically all of the blacks born in America they created a homogeneous rural culture. They still kept up their traditions from Africa that they have brought over. The slaves created some of their own rituals so they felt as if they were a stable community with strong core families. For example, the way couples symbolized their marriages was by jumping over a broomstick in a public ceremony. Considering they could not become "legally" be married thats how they celebrated in their own way. Another ritual they had was how they named their children. Sons were named after their fathers, uncles or grandfathers and daughters after their grandmothers. The slaves were very optimistic about their situations working for their white owners in that they took everyday at a time working on their specific daily tasks leaving the rest of their day to do what they wanted.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Shay's Rebellion
After the war there were a lot of problems in the East, a lot of merchant ships were destroyed. So the Americans were having problems exporting tobacco, rice, and wheat. The British Navigation Acts kept Americans from trading with the British West Indies. However, the American markets were flooded with lowpriced British manufactures causing a lot of urban artisans and wartime textile firms to go out of business. At this time the state governments were dealing with a lot of the war debt. Speculators wanted their state debt certificates paid back in full, which meant that taxes had to be raised. But then on the other had farmers and artisans weren't making a lot of money so they couldn't afford to pay the taxes and the state legislatures felt for them. So to help out the artisans and farmers they printed more currency and they passed laws that made it ok for the people in debt to make payments towards the money they owed.
Because there was no such legislation in Massachusetts the debtors were mad, which led to an violent uprising. They persuaded the Massachusetts legislature to raise taxes in order to pay the state's war debt and in turn that helped because they weren't required to print more currency (would have led to inflation). So the people that were owned money wanted the debtors to be jailed for not paying, but the people that owned money were protesting all of the taxes and the property seizures. Pissed off farmers and some men of higher status forcibly closed courts. These actions and this rebellion were rather similar to the colonial resistance to the British Stamp Act.
In order to stop the rebellion Massachusetts legislature passed the Riot Act which outlawed illegal assemblies. So the governor made his own little army, with troops from the Continental Congress, and they fought off the rebellion. Shay's side ended up losing because of the freezing weather and the lack of supplies in the winter of 1786-87. The rebellion showed that cost of war and the independence was not shared evenly. The Massachusetts' governor was voted out of office and people in debt in New York, Pennsylvannia, Connecticut, and New Hampshire closed court houses also and wanted the same economic relief the people in Massachusetts wanted. Now the Americans feared their new government was bound for failure and other countries were thinking the same.
Because there was no such legislation in Massachusetts the debtors were mad, which led to an violent uprising. They persuaded the Massachusetts legislature to raise taxes in order to pay the state's war debt and in turn that helped because they weren't required to print more currency (would have led to inflation). So the people that were owned money wanted the debtors to be jailed for not paying, but the people that owned money were protesting all of the taxes and the property seizures. Pissed off farmers and some men of higher status forcibly closed courts. These actions and this rebellion were rather similar to the colonial resistance to the British Stamp Act.
In order to stop the rebellion Massachusetts legislature passed the Riot Act which outlawed illegal assemblies. So the governor made his own little army, with troops from the Continental Congress, and they fought off the rebellion. Shay's side ended up losing because of the freezing weather and the lack of supplies in the winter of 1786-87. The rebellion showed that cost of war and the independence was not shared evenly. The Massachusetts' governor was voted out of office and people in debt in New York, Pennsylvannia, Connecticut, and New Hampshire closed court houses also and wanted the same economic relief the people in Massachusetts wanted. Now the Americans feared their new government was bound for failure and other countries were thinking the same.
The Articles of Confederation
In the beginning of chapter 7 in Henretta, it talks about how the Patriots had to divide up poiltical power between themselves now that they had independence. It also mentions Abigail Adams, who many historians would consider to be the first American feminist. Abigail Adams demanded legal equal rights for married women. She is a very important figure because without her females might still be considered as inferior to men, and not be able to do certain things that we are able to do now such as vote.
This chapter also talks a lot about The Articles of Confederation, which was the first formalized state of government that the sates had. They were passed by government in November 1777, giving the confederation government much authority. Congress had to issue three ordinances that dealt with problems dealing with the lands north of the Phio River. The Ordinance of 1784, was Thomas Jefferson's idea, and it called for the division of the region into territories and the admission of a territory as a state as soon as its population equaled that of the smallest existing state. The Land Ordinance of 1785 required that the regions be surveyed before settlement. Jefferson also came up with the grid system here, which broke open land in the west into sections of 640 acres. This land was sold by the government for $1 per acre of land, however bacause paper money was not accepted, mainly speculators were able to buy and sell the land which ultimately made the righ get richer.
Lastly, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was issued to provide for the creation of the territories now known as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, ans Wisconsin. This ordinance prohibited slavery in those territories. It also guaranteed the right to a trial by jury, freedom of religion, and provided for public education.
This chapter also talks a lot about The Articles of Confederation, which was the first formalized state of government that the sates had. They were passed by government in November 1777, giving the confederation government much authority. Congress had to issue three ordinances that dealt with problems dealing with the lands north of the Phio River. The Ordinance of 1784, was Thomas Jefferson's idea, and it called for the division of the region into territories and the admission of a territory as a state as soon as its population equaled that of the smallest existing state. The Land Ordinance of 1785 required that the regions be surveyed before settlement. Jefferson also came up with the grid system here, which broke open land in the west into sections of 640 acres. This land was sold by the government for $1 per acre of land, however bacause paper money was not accepted, mainly speculators were able to buy and sell the land which ultimately made the righ get richer.
Lastly, the Northwest Ordinance of 1787 was issued to provide for the creation of the territories now known as Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Michigan, ans Wisconsin. This ordinance prohibited slavery in those territories. It also guaranteed the right to a trial by jury, freedom of religion, and provided for public education.
Adams' "Thoughts on Government"
Upon the closing of the Revolution, America was ready to begin their quest towards independence. Each state created their own Constitution to replace that of the colonial charter. States defined their rights, limitations on power and how their government was to be set up, all resulting in several different versions of a similar idea. However, I think the most interesting element of this was the forward thinking of John Adams and his ideas for the new government, published in his writing, Thoughts on Government. Adams essentially mixed two different ideas into one; that of a republican society where power was shared but by “the king, lords, and commons.” He liked the idea of dividing up specific government functions and assigning different jobs to each function: One to make laws, one to enforce laws and one to ‘judge’ those laws (Legislative, administrative, and judicial). Adams motivation behind this setup was that it would spread out the authority instead of giving all power to one person/king. Two houses, an upper and a lower were included in his “thoughts” along with an elected governor that had the power to veto. A judicial board would be appointed to review the governmental functions.
Adams presented this idea over 200 years ago yet our American government is still structured similarly. I find it really impressive that one person could have possibly thought up the core idea for an entire nation’s government, yet states were too apprehensive to give too much power (especially veto power) to a governor, or any executive figure at all.
Adams presented this idea over 200 years ago yet our American government is still structured similarly. I find it really impressive that one person could have possibly thought up the core idea for an entire nation’s government, yet states were too apprehensive to give too much power (especially veto power) to a governor, or any executive figure at all.
Wednesday, September 12, 2007
Home court advantage
Despite the forces against them, how why was the american army able to defeat a world super power? how was a group of ragged militia led by a general who's war resume contained defeats and mishaps leading his troops able to turn the war around and give the americans hope? Was it because of the colonist's motivation (the fact they had something to fight for; their freedom) . I believe it was a culmination of the following.
for one, the establishment of a continental congress (first and second) unified patriots by making them feel like there was a promising future. they were finally able to get together and discuss how they believe the country should be ran after the British were drove out. the men who were educated by leaders of the enlightenment were able to put their knowledge to the test by trying to form a provisional government. even though the first congressional congress didn't work out, they were confident they could get it right a second time.
i also feel that the national was in turmoil at the time, being forced to declare loyalty to the crown or loyalty to the patriots. this was driven by authors such as Thomas Paine who called for an independence and a nonmonarchial form of government. either you were with the country or you were against it in the eyes of the patriots. there was no room for being neutral. such skirmishes forced British loyalists to either take up arms or flee to the mother country.
there was a certain appeal to supporting the patriots. people who were used to being ruled, finally had a chance to dictate how their lives were run. patriots encouraged all citizens to become active in the decisions that affect how their lives were run. from taxes to laws, people now were given the opportunity to dictate their life and the way the direction they wanted to take it.
the most important factor in the American revolution i believe was the home turf advantage. the patriots were fighting for their land, their people and their freedom. such desperations made hero's out of ordinary men. the British troops however, lacked moral. having to be away from their families and fighting people who they considered their own citizens, must have taken a toll. the American people had spoken out, either by paying local taxes and supporting the patriot movement , or taking up arms and defending their natural rights. this home court advantage, i believe, directly led to the defeat of the British in colonial America.
for one, the establishment of a continental congress (first and second) unified patriots by making them feel like there was a promising future. they were finally able to get together and discuss how they believe the country should be ran after the British were drove out. the men who were educated by leaders of the enlightenment were able to put their knowledge to the test by trying to form a provisional government. even though the first congressional congress didn't work out, they were confident they could get it right a second time.
i also feel that the national was in turmoil at the time, being forced to declare loyalty to the crown or loyalty to the patriots. this was driven by authors such as Thomas Paine who called for an independence and a nonmonarchial form of government. either you were with the country or you were against it in the eyes of the patriots. there was no room for being neutral. such skirmishes forced British loyalists to either take up arms or flee to the mother country.
there was a certain appeal to supporting the patriots. people who were used to being ruled, finally had a chance to dictate how their lives were run. patriots encouraged all citizens to become active in the decisions that affect how their lives were run. from taxes to laws, people now were given the opportunity to dictate their life and the way the direction they wanted to take it.
the most important factor in the American revolution i believe was the home turf advantage. the patriots were fighting for their land, their people and their freedom. such desperations made hero's out of ordinary men. the British troops however, lacked moral. having to be away from their families and fighting people who they considered their own citizens, must have taken a toll. the American people had spoken out, either by paying local taxes and supporting the patriot movement , or taking up arms and defending their natural rights. this home court advantage, i believe, directly led to the defeat of the British in colonial America.
David Littman's Blog
As tensions grew increasing, the odds of a war seemed more and more likely. One of the turning points in peoples minds whom were still respecting their loyalty to the crown was the pulication of Thomas Paine's article entitled "Common Sense". This pamphlet pursuaded the minds of loyalists to reject the king and that America had far more to offer people than Britain. This appeal to the loyalists to drop their loyalty to England was in perfect timing, for tensions were so high, that people were now willing to fight to defend the country. This tension was created from the diminishing freedoms colonists had been experiencing and the taxes that unified the colonists of all classes, geographic location, and gender. Loyalists were beginning to feel threatened by the patriots extreme belief in freedom, and neighbors were killing their fellow neighbors that were not revolutionists. With British loss of New Jersey, loyalists were unprotected by the kings army and were forced to flee the country.
With the alliance of the French army, the momentum of the war shifted with the Continental Army gaining much needed financial and military support. The Britains suffered greatly from the brutal winters, disease, and low morale. The Continental Army was able to succeed in defeating the British because of soldiers strong belief in what they were fighting for. Washington's brilliant and leadership were the key for America's eventual final victory at Yorktown, winning the war and gaining the Independence the patriots so strongly believed in. America now faced the difficult process of establishing themselves as an independent country, developing a system of law that would comply with the beliefs stated in the declaration of independence. The aristocrats took the natural belief that they would become the governing body, yet those whom actually suffered through war and risked their lives thought otherwise. The next several years following the war brought many conflicts as issues such as slavery and government were challenged and brought people apart as they would eventually go to divide the country in half.
With the alliance of the French army, the momentum of the war shifted with the Continental Army gaining much needed financial and military support. The Britains suffered greatly from the brutal winters, disease, and low morale. The Continental Army was able to succeed in defeating the British because of soldiers strong belief in what they were fighting for. Washington's brilliant and leadership were the key for America's eventual final victory at Yorktown, winning the war and gaining the Independence the patriots so strongly believed in. America now faced the difficult process of establishing themselves as an independent country, developing a system of law that would comply with the beliefs stated in the declaration of independence. The aristocrats took the natural belief that they would become the governing body, yet those whom actually suffered through war and risked their lives thought otherwise. The next several years following the war brought many conflicts as issues such as slavery and government were challenged and brought people apart as they would eventually go to divide the country in half.
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