Upholding and subversion of American myth dominant belief and ideology - Essay Example

To what extent does the works of the first European explorers (Columbus, Smith), Puritan writers(Bradford, Taylor, Bradstreet, Mather) or the Bay Colony dissenters (Moreton and Williams)uphold and/or subvert an American myth, dominant belief, or ideology? Christopher Columbus was the first European to se foot in America; at least that credit has been given to him. Though, many people tend to differ about this, but it is not the focus of this analysis. The central focus is that through the first four voyages, which were made by Christopher Columbus, with the first one being in the year 1498, we saw what is today referred as the “discovery of America”, which was a very significant event not only to the history of America, but also the world’s history. It was his discovery that saw the European sea powers send explorers on expeditions to discover the new world that is today America (Samson and Greene 57). The most interesting thing is that it helped in the subversion of the American religious beliefs. It is important to note that the early activities of the explorer Colombus were longing to find the route to India and China. This was mainly the trade route. It is during this same period that the Spaniards had taken over Spain from the Muslims and when the new world was discovered, they decided to go for it. What is important to know is that the same governing model that was used in Al-Andalus was used in the territories of America. This kind of administration affected the natives’ traditional ways of life, thus leading to subversion of certain practices (Santa 47). The natives were shocked by the fact that the very large population started to stream into America after being attracted by the wealth and the riches that the Spaniards had come out with from the colonies. This mixture of population, ethnicity and races can be argued as one of the key issues that provoked the change in character by the natives. However, it is not clear that the newly traded goods and services required the community to work together in an effort to step up the production (Samson and Greene 64). After the discovery and the events that followed, it is clear that the ratio of the people who now settled in America had significantly changed since the natives were joined by the foreign groups of people. Evidently, this led to the change of beliefs, culture, character, and ideology as shown in the discussion that follows. The discovery of the new land led to exploration and the consequent American exploration by the British. It is this particular works by Columbus that many analysts argue that it led the American subversion of religious beliefs and the ideology of individualism, which gave birth to the capitalism. Notably, is the introduction of Christianity into the new world that was occupied by the natives, who largely focused on the self rather than the interest of the whole community (Santa 84). The consequent introduction of colonies, trade and exportation of the American wealth touched on the people’s ways of life and ideologies. Individualism and the spirit of capitalism to amass wealth grew. In fact Columbus and other explorers argued that the Americana were more concerned about the tobacco. This intoxicant drug was widely used by people and since there was no apparent religion to preach against the drug and substance abuse, they simply continued abusing the tobacco substance. Therefore, this prompted Columbus to seek the introduction of Christianity and encourage them to resist the temptation of the drug and substance abuse. In fact, it was Columbus and other explorers who started to embark on spreading Christianity to the natives who could easily be taught how to pray. The natives were quick to learn how to make the sign of the cross and this helped them to be united under one religion that called for peace and living on harmony with one another. That was the religion of Christianity. However, Columbus was keen to report to the highness that converting the natives to Christianity could make the Spaniards gain immense domination in America while the church would gather many people (Santa 112). Importantly, Columbus used the tactics to influence the native Americans to adopt the Christian beliefs and religious ideologies and subvert their old ways of life; traditional practices. The main one was conversion. Columbus and other explorers could make sure that the Americans who they encountered were converted to Christianity; the new religious ways of life and engaging in activities and practices that encourages brotherhood in faith and communalism, thus subverting the spirit of individualism and selfishness. Columbus used comparison, particularly with “India”, which turned out to be Cuba as a way of influencing the natives to adopt Christianity (Santa 98). As Smith, Columbus, Bradford, Taylor, Bradstreet, Mather, Moreton, and Williams keenly observed how individualism had taken the centre stage among the Americans, that is, no one was concerned about the style of dress code. Both Smith and Columbus reported that many people were walking naked. In fact, according to them, on the women were covering their loins, but due to selfishness, no one was concerned about another. According to them, individualism was a sign that the natives were not only stripped of clothes, but also the religious culture, especially Christianity that advocates for decency and modest behavior (Samson and Greene 72). In fact according to these writers; Bradford, Taylor, Bradstreet, Mather, Moreton, and Williams, the Americans could be termed as primitive. The writers claimed that the land the land they had witness was the biblical “Garden of Eden”, and that they had come to the spiritual land that God created for the humankind, though evidences that the writers produced had a mixed characteristics of both the pseudoscientific and scientific elements (Santa 92). After Columbus had discovered America, he talked to the pope who later divided the new land into two and gave one side to Spain and the other to Portugal. These two kingdoms sent missionaries and explorers who never had any kind of respects to the natives’ culture and ways of life. This was a major factor that contributed to conflict since the natives felt that the they were being taken for granted, having been cheated to join the new religion that has led to slavery. Some of the natives were taken to other areas to work as slaves. This called for unity among the Americans to fight the perceived enemy. Indeed, Smith played a significant role that saw the Americans ideology of individualism completely subverted. His experiences were written when he visited the new world. He encouraged the colonization of the new world by England. He was a straight forward writer that a part from just sugar coating America, he wrote what he actually saw. He wrote that it is only industrialization, and not merely religious beliefs that could lead to economic benefits. In addition, he talked about the possible gains from the American colonization. It was the desire to amass wealth that drew the Europeans to colonizing America. This is the factor that led England to colonize America. Smith wrote a detailed report about the kind of industry that could yield wealth faster in the American soils. This encouraged the colonialist to come into the country. It is the effects of colonization that subverted the natives’ ways of thinking and beliefs. This led to the collapse of individualism that was practiced by the natives. The people were sensitized to embrace unity and fight the bad elements of slavery. This encouraged the people to have faith in God who could see then through their struggles. In the process, many people adopted Christian religious practices and beliefs. The native Americans, who were known to be the source of individualism, cherished the belief of selfishness. However, the great workers of the explorers and various writers such as Bradford, Taylor, Bradstreet, Mather, Moreton, and Williams subverted the old ways of thinking and practices. The Americans embraced Christianity and advocated for the spirit of brotherhood. Works Cited Samson, Stephen and Greene. The American Colonies And The British Empire. New York, NY: Irvine Publisher, 1607. Print. Santa, Barbra. Individualism and Commitment In American Life. California: University of California Press, 1986. Print. Read More