Progressive Thinking and Mismanagement in the Development of America Before the American Revolution - Essay Example

?Progressive Thinking and Mismanagement in the Development of America Before the American Revolution Introduction The widely accepted fact is that the American Revolution is the key factor that contributes to the development of the modern American society and economy. The positive and negative effects of the Revolution inspire innovations in science, politics, law, business, and agriculture. Many researchers agree that the American Revolution is the major turning point of American society as it brings about significant changes influencing the political and economic system today. For instance, there is a noticeable increase in economic rate in America after the Revolution, especially when the new and more efficient government system is established. While this argument is true, there are also innovations that happen before the American Revolution takes place. The inventiveness of the people and incompetence of leaders also affect the growth of America before the American Revolution. Considering this situation, this paper aims to argue that progressive thinking, coupled with years of mismanagement, sowed the fate of the British Empire and its American colonies, long before the American Revolution. Progressive Thinking as a Factor for Development While it can be said that the American Revolution stimulates the change in American society, the ability of Americans to create productive things and ideas develops their society before the Revolution even takes place. In the words of Butler (2001, 2), despite the fact that British mainland colonies in America during the eighteenth-century were not considered as fully developed modern societies, those can still be considered sustainable. The British colonies in mainland America were able to show developments in their trade, transportation, education, press, government, and social structure. The advancement in these aspects shapes the culture of British colonies in America. Trade and Transportation As a British colony, the economy of America depended on the products of its lands. Britain imposes total domination on all its colonies including both political and economic superiority; subordination is a must for these newly acquired territories. In the words of Newell (2006, 23), American farmlands are considered as subject to agricultural experiments, a source of raw materials and crops that would be transported to England as property of the Crown. Success in trade was carried out through fast transportation systems and favorable relationships with neighboring lands. In 1630s, for instance, the success of the tobacco production in Chesapeake and sugar in the West Indies ensure that food production is sufficient enough for exportation and consumption of the colony. Aside from the fact that American colonies amass wealth and strategic advantage for England, it also serves as a place of exile for slaves, prisoners, religious dissidents and ethnic groups. With this in mind, it can be said that America is, initially, a diverse society as its settlers came with different social orientations. While this diversity creates conflicts, it also helps settlers to respect each other. For the reason that they are considered enemies of the Empire of Britain, they share a common goal, to be free and build their own government and economic system. For instance, trade develops as a result of successful business relations with settler groups. Effective trade relation is one of the factors affecting the economic development of Colonial America. Education Other than the development of economy through trade and transportation, British in America establishes schools for their children and natives. Although illiteracy is widespread in America, parents took the effort of teaching their children essential skills such as reading, writing, counting, and household tasks. In addition, local teachers and parsons organized schoolhouses for both boys and girls. While this system of education is not considered formal, this also contributes to the spread of knowledge and increase in literacy progress. This educational system was developed by religious organizations when they establish higher learning institutions. Through these higher learning institutions, children were introduced to the culture of their founding congregation. There were, at least, four higher learning institutions established during the colonial period of American History (Beard and Beard 2008, 42). Harvard, one of these higher institutions, was established by the Puritans in 1636, and, in 1718, Yale was opened. In the Northern territories, Dartmouth was chartered in 1769, and the College of New Jersey was established in 1746. Generally, these schools were established by religious orders including the Presbyterians, Roman Catholics and Puritans. They include their religious teachings in the curriculum to evangelize the natives and encourage them for conversion. For instance, Dartmouth was intended for the education of the children of the farmers who wanted to enter the religious order and those who are interested in teaching and law. These colleges influence the increase in literacy in colonial America. Press During the colonial period of America, one of the major factors influencing the development is the press. The press helped develop the idea of democracy, and it enables open discussion regarding public opinion. This concept of the press, during the colonial times, creates its greatest influence in the assertion of the freedom of expression and right to information. In connection to this, the press is especially useful to religious congregations as they use it to print religious publication for their schools. While the inclination of the press to support religious causes is evident, it is also especially useful to the diffusion of knowledge, and, in the long run, increase in literacy rate. Printing technology came in America along with the arrival of William Brewster and Edward Winslow, two of the Pilgrim Fathers, at Plymouth in 1620 (Fellow 2010, 13). However, production of print materials (newspapers and books) was not continuous until they integrate it in schools. They supplied religious and educational publications to schools, especially in Harvard College where they train students to continue the printing legacy. By 1771, there were 25 American newspapers circulating regularly, five in Boston and three in Philadelphia (Beard and Beard 2008, 43). Other colonies including South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia also had their newspapers. While the American Revolution is America’s ultimate expression of freedom, the concept of free expression was developed early on through the development of press in colonies. Mismanagement as a Factor for Development While the invention of technologies influence progress in the economy and literacy of British America, mismanagement by British ministers also contributes to the development of America as an independent nation. Britain’s style of leadership creates positive and negative effects to the extent that the reaction of its colonies, especially America, affects its status as colonizer. The decrees issued by the British Parliament affected the Americans as they think that those violate their rights (Cogliano 2011). Furthermore, Americans question the legality of those decrees and they have different interpretations why those decrees were passed. These conflicts of leadership along with questions on religion and social stratification gave rise to rebellions, outbreak of American Revolution and, eventually, the granting of independence of British colonies. Religion Colonization was partly caused by religious gaps in England. 17th and 18th century England was characterized by religious tensions to the extent that some religious groups were persecuted (Sage 2010). There was also a time when social stratification is influenced by religion as some Churches only accepted the elite and those with royal blood. During those times, the power of English monarchs extended even to the Church enabling them to impose rules that violate the religious practices of other congregations. In addition, they passed bills that favored certain religious groups while not taking concern of other groups. As a result, religious dissidents fled and find a place to exercise their religious practices without interference and persecution. As different religious groups arrived in America for the same purpose, conflicts began to resurface because of the strict imposition of rules even to the natives (Doyle 1907, 167). The Puritan Church in Massachusetts, for instance, had strict rules that many people in their colony, mostly natives, left and seek refuge in other neighboring colonies. For instance, Thomas Hooker along with other dissatisfied settlers in Massachusetts left the colony and established another settlement in Connecticut River Valley (Kelly 2011). As these conflicts continued to arise, religious leaders decided to respect each other’s practices. This resolution was strengthened with the decree separating Church and State in the First Amendment of Constitution. The religious ideals of the colonizers lived in the culture of America, and those keep going even today. The religious harmony that characterizes the United States of America today is due to the efforts made to resolve the religious conflicts that arise throughout the course of its history. Leadership System American civilization is shaped not only by the wars and revolutions that took place, but also, by the characters of British leaders as their decisions affected the American settlers, dissidents and natives alike (Beard and Beard 2008, 58). The measure of control passed by the executive and legislative branches of the British Empire brought forth the identity of America as an independent nation. While the British Empire took control over its territories including the political and economic system, Americans did not feel it appropriate that they should be subjected to their laws because they felt that they have a right to their own land. Also, the bills that were passed by the British Parliament were misinterpreted by its colonies resulting to rebellions. For instance, the Stamp Act and the Declaratory Act created misunderstanding and conflicts between Britain and its colonies. The Stamp Act, passed on March 1765, demands that every colony should pay taxes for legal documents and publications, the proceeds of which will fund the sustenance of troops defending the American boundary near the Appalachian mountains (Fisher 1908, 77). The taxes will also be used to pay the expenses of colonial government to ensure that the colonies will be better governed. While Britain’s intention in imposing tax was for the benefit of the colonies, the Americans took this bill as a violation of their rights. The Americans argued that they should not be taxed for military and government expenses because they did not have representatives in the Parliament. They refused to pay taxes and passed an appeal to the King proposing the abolition of such bill. America’s disobedience to British laws drove the government to adopt severe measures to control the growing rebellions in its colonies (Botta 1837, 109). While the King granted the appeal, the Parliament passed another law, the Declaratory Act, which provides Britain with unrestricted right over its colonies. This act resulted to more rigorous laws that culminated with violent resistance against the Crown in 1766-1773. The legislation of miscalculated decrees, as well as the unexpected reception of colonies concerning those decrees, led to the outbreak of the American Revolution. The first of America’s military resistance against Britain happened in Lexington and Concord, towns in Massachusetts Bay Colony (Lexington and Concord 2011). The wars that followed, participated by the thirteen colonies of Britain in America, constitute the long and arduous years of the American Revolution. With this, it can be said that the American Revolution is the result of mismanagement and miscalculated decisions made by the British Empire. Britain mistakes in leadership contributes to the ideals of Americans; they learned from those mistakes and set a government system that caters to the needs of every citizen including their right to free expression and religious practice. In this sense, it can be said that America, as one of the highly-developed nations today, is shaped by their individual ideals, desires and optimism as well as the faults of its colonial leaders. Slavery and Civil Rights Liberties Aside from religious dissidents and ethnic groups, one of the first America settlers were the slaves. Slavery, in Colonial America, was rampant and was even regarded as essential for economic prosperity. While religious and ethnic groups were in the process of establishing schools and economic systems that enabled New England (America) to prosper, they noticed that they lacked labor. For this reason, slaves came in America as a result of the growing demand for labor. Africans, mostly captives of war who were sold to white traders, were shipped to America as forced laborers; they were made to work even in unfavorable working conditions like beasts of burden (Sage 2010). Americans, both natives and colonizers, witnessed the plight of African slaves, some considered slavery as legal while there were also people who opposed to this view. This situation created a gap between those who believe in the legality of slavery and those who considered it as immoral. Slavery had been a part of American history, and its influence extended even to the drafting of the constitution. Along with slavery came questions on the principles of equality and civil rights. Britain’s role in the spread of slavery in colonial America is critical as they were the ones who captured Africans as prisoners of war and took them as rightful possessions of the Crown. British colonizers, growing up in a culture of slavery and social stratification in England, brought slaves in America only to create another disenfranchised England. While America’s founding fathers had seen this issue early on, improving the condition of slaves was not an easy process as they have to go against the British Empire Effects of Colonization The political, economic and religious influence of Britain is noticeable in the American society today (Nosotro 2011). For instance, the technologies that the first settlers brought with them were used and innovated to improve their livelihood. Additionally, colonization also marked the start of America’s rise politically and economically as the founding fathers of America set their own ideal government, religious, and economic system. In the long run, British colonizers influenced the culture of the natives; they expanded their territory and spread Christianity. While the innovations of the colonizers helped shaped America, conflicts due to mismanagement of the British colonizers shaped American culture and society as well. The American constitution can be considered as a resolution to these conflicts that had once plagued America during the Colonization and Revolutionary years. While it can be said that America had taken a great leap in the context of economy and politics after the Revolution, the ideals that characterize the nation today had been conceived by the founding fathers long before the American Revolution even started. As a result, one of the lasting effects of colonization in American society is the idea of democracy, civil rights and principles of equality. These ideals had been the reasons the first American settlers fought the American Revolution. Conclusion American civilization is shaped by various factors including the innate ability of the natives to make productive innovations as well as the character and leadership style of its colonizers. The technologies that the colonizers shared with the natives paved the way for better innovations contributing to the betterment of their society and ways of living. Although British colonizers contributed greatly to America’s positive changes, leadership mistakes enabled American colonies to pursue independence from their mother country. The long years of strife coupled with positive attitudes enabled Americans to cope with the conflicts that confronted them during the years of Colonization and Revolution. References Beard, Charles Austin, and Mary Ritter Beard. 2008. History of the United States. Charleston, CA: Forgotten Books. Botta, Charles. 1837. History of the War of Independence. 6th ed. New Haven, USA: Nathan Whiting. http://www.archive.org/stream/histwarindepend01bottrich#page/n9/mode/2up. Butler, Jon. 2001. Becoming America: The Revolution Before 1776. Harvard, USA: Harvard University Press. Cogliano, Francis D. “Was the American Revolution Inevitable?” 2011. BBC, November 22. http://www.bbc.co.uk/history/british/empire_seapower/ american_revolution_01.shtml. Doyle, John Andrew. 1907. The English in America. 5th vol. New York: USA: Henry Holt and Company. Fellow, Anthony R. 2010. American Media History. 2nd ed. Boston, MA: Wadsworth. Fisher, Sydney George. 1908. The Struggle for American Independence. Philadelphia, USA: J. B. Lippincott Company. http://www.archive.org/stream/struggleamerica00fishrich#page/n4/mode/1up. Kelly, Martin. 2011. Overview of Colonial America 1607-1754: The New England, Middle, and Southern Colonies. About.com. Accessed November 22, http://americanhistory.about.com/od/colonialamerica/a/colamoverview.htm. Lexington and Concord. 2011. 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