The Influence of English Colonization on the Indigenous Populations - Assignment Example

History 1301 Essay Table of Contents A. Colonial Period (1492-1764) 3 2. Discuss the affects of English colonization on the Indigenous Populations 3 Introduction 3 Discussion 3 Conclusion 5 B. Revolution (1765-1790) 6 5. How did the Revolution affect Slavery in the US? 6 Introduction 6 Discussion 6 Conclusion 8 C. Early Republic (1780-1826) 9 2. By 1800, was the US Constitution and Bill of Rights a liberal or a conservative document? Defend your response. 9 Introduction 9 Discussion 10 Conclusion 11 References 13 A. Colonial Period (1492-1764) 2. Discuss the affects of English colonization on the Indigenous Populations Introduction The colonial period in the US had a long sustaining impression on the cultural formation and socio-economic construction of the economy. It was during this colonial period, which commenced from 1492 and lasted until 1764, that the country was invaded by different foreign civilizations, including the English people. This resulted in English colonization of the nation, causing a serious impact on the indigenous people of America (Hildreth, 1856). In the following discussion, the effects caused by the English colonization in Latin America will be critically discussed, focusing on the then status of indigenous people within the nation. Discussion During the colonial period in America, which continued from 1492 to 1764, a huge number of distinct groups, representing different nations, races along with ethnic and cultural backgrounds, invaded the country repeatedly, with the aim of obtaining better trading operations. To be noted, these groups majorly comprised of English ethnic groups. Historians have of argued in this context that these groups invaded the nation due to many reasons, among which, the key reasons are supposed to be focused on acquiring adequate resources as raw materials apart from obtaining better employment opportunities, which included the fields of military officers, merchants and planters among others. During this phase, the groups were also identified to colonize in different territories to inhibit and obtain wider land networks aimed at obtaining a higher communal power (Smith, 1907; Mittelberger, 1898). Hence, it can be affirmed that the English colonized in North America being motivated by several factors, which mainly included economic benefits, regional considerations of spreading their culture, developing a bigger empire and gaining political as well as military superiority (Smith, 1907; Mittelberger, 1898). The English people began colonizing in North America from the year 1602 in Virginia. The colony was consequently changed and developed as a major fur trading station, which had a deep impact on the employment opportunities and lifestyle of the indigenous people in America. Arguably, the continuous successful voyage of English colonies has been stated as accountable for the development of English colonization in parts of North America (Woolman, 1909). It is noteworthy in the context that the English people had expanded their territorial regions with the assistance of aggressive colonization practices, genocide and terrorism, which further resulted in severe turmoil within the then socio-economic stance of indigenous America. During the colonization period, using their socio-economic power, the English colonial territories developed rules and regulations on the basis of which, the American indigenous populations were restricted from obtaining different rights on the ground that these groups had a weak developmental history as compared to the English colonies in terms of cultural achievements as well as humanity. Subsequently, the indigenous people were restrained from equal proportion of various basic life resources, which included land and raw materials among others. Furthermore, the indigenous populations were also slaved and used forcefully for military and business purposes. Studies have also revealed that the English settlers colonized in the nation with the intention of developing a base for the purpose of piracy. The English expanded their territorial regions through colonial terrorism and acquired the land where the indigenous people preexisted; thus, imposing a significant effect on their demographic behavior (Smith, 1907; Mittelberger, 1898). Apart from the above stated affects, the invasion of the English people in the nation was also identified to increase health risks within the indigenous people, as it augmented chances of spreading various kinds of infectious diseases. In this regard, the indigenous people, without appropriate knowledge in relation to the immunity of the diseases, died in large numbers causing an epidemic within the ethnic groups and hence, substantially reducing their population. Additionally, the English settlers were also recognized to bring ammunitions, along with guns along with horses. These imports also caused significant affects on the lifestyle of the indigenous people in America, which changed their behavior of hunting for food. The English settlers also took initiatives to convert the religion of the indigenous people into Christianity forcibly, resulting in a graver destruction of the culture among these ethnic groups. The culture of the indigenous people was also affected with alterations in the language, behavior as well as attitude under the influence of English dominion during colonization. English dominion during the colonization period also affected the education system of the indigenous people due to racial discriminations and increased incarceration (Lienhard, 1997; Smith, 1907). Conclusion From the above discussion, it can be comprehended that the indigenous population were severely affected due to the colonization of the English in North America. Stating precisely, the English colonized in this particular region with the intention of developing their trading operations and for the continuous expansion of their empire. In this regard, the invading English people developed policies of terrorizing the indigenous people and obtaining their lands forcefully, which in turn resulted in inequality in resource distribution, making the indigenous people face scarcity of adequate life-supporting amenities. Moreover, the indigenous people were used as slaved and servants by the English, further causing destruction of their culture, religion and lifestyle. They also suffered from different diseases due to lack of immunity to the health hazards brought in by the English people. B. Revolution (1765-1790) 5. How did the Revolution affect Slavery in the US? Introduction The colonial period in the history of the US had been witnessed to affect the life of the indigenous populations largely, fundamentally due to confiscation of lands and other basic resources required supporting their way of lifestyle. Additionally, the colonial period was also identified as an era of slavery, where the people were used as labors for trading. In opposition to such practices, a revolution period instigated within the US, following its colonial period, from the year 1765 and continued until 1790. The revolution was principally commenced in the US with the intention of developing an independent nation, with the ultimate abolition of slavery and imposition of defined human rights based on humanitarian philosophies (Lienhard, 1997). Correspondingly, the below discussion will emphasize the effects brought by the revolution on the slavery practices conducted in the then US society. Discussion The revolution period commenced after the enactment of the Stamp Act (1765) and Sugar Act (1764) in England. The revolution period was accordingly coined since the year 1765, following the government’s reformation and implementation of certain conservative policies, with the aim of developing the then political system. The particular era marked a historical moment in the history of the US, wherein rules and corresponding regulations were formulated with the aim of assisting the indigenous Americans, forming a majority of slaves within the US, towards equality in obtaining humanitarian benefits from the society and thereafter, gaining complete independence. Respectively, the revolution period had been witnessed as an important consideration in different fields, which included broadened political base, First State Constitutions, Spirit of Reform and Declaration of Rights focused altogether on the abolition of slavery. In this regard, the political system of the US was broadened with increased number of participants in the elections and development of constitutions. Moreover, rights and different reforms were also adopted at a larger scale, with the aim of ensuring that the people were treated in an equitable manner, which imposed the initial barrier to slavery within the US in the then period. Consequently, the most important reform identified in the revolution period within the US, was in the area of slavery (Grundset, 2008; Lienhard, 1997). In the revolution period within the US, an immense change in the political structure was witnessed. In a similar way, the era had also influenced the social structure of the nation largely, having an adverse impact on the practice of slavery. It is worth mentioning in this context that the constitutional policies developed during the revolutionary period implied that people should be treated in an equitable as well as fair manner. Contextually, the slaves were provided with the opportunity of escaping themselves from their bondages by bestowing their services for the American Army. During the revolution period, the political system was devised based on constitutional right, i.e. equality in order to ensure that indigenous people should also be treated in an equitable manner, rather than being slaved by the so-called superior communities within the English colonies. In this regard, a substantial decline in the number of slaves was witnessed during the revolution period. The rules and regulations that were developed during the revolution era also seemed to implement laws with the aim of prohibiting slavery. Additionally, the government aimed towards ensuring that slaves, from different states of the country, are freed irrespective of their cultural and ethnic backgrounds (Grundset, 2008; Lienhard, 1997). During the revolution period, the developed political system also imposed specified regulations in order to restrict trade of slaves. However, the imposed policies in the era were seemed as a procedure of motivating slaves to join the American Army with the intention of gaining complete freedom for fighting in favor of the white people. The era mainly freed African black people who were captivated and slaved by the white people. In this respect, the slaves joining the army were not offered with extra privileges and support as they were treated in bondage. It had been identified that in most of the states of the US, slaves were freed but there was an existence of racism, which connotes a contradictory conclusion to the abolition of slavery within the then American society (Grundset, 2008). Conclusion Undoubtedly, the revolution period of 1765 to 1790 was one of the most important historical events in the US, which changed the American social construction, political framework and economic constitutions entirely, marking the beginning of a new era. During the era, emphasis was laid on the development of a stronger political system with effective policies to deliver sustained freedom and equality benefits to all its citizens, irrespective of their race, ethnicity and cultural orientation. In this regard, the development of the political system assisted in ensuring that the people of the country are treated with equal opportunities and that too, in a fair manner. Contextually, the policies and regulations developed, aided in prohibiting the practice of slavery within the society largely. Respectively, the implementation of those policies along with regulations had freed most of the slaves and indigenous people. Nevertheless, even though the salves were encouraged in joining the army for freedom and extra privileges, the concept of racism existed in most parts of the country that secluded them from gaining complete liberty in the then US social context. C. Early Republic (1780-1826) 2. By 1800, was the US Constitution and Bill of Rights a liberal or a conservative document? Defend your response. Introduction Prior to determining whether the US Constitution and Bill of Rights was a liberal or a conservative document by 1800, it would be vital to mention that during this period, the American people were undergoing a revolutionary change, which also brought about various alterations and amendments in the Articles of Confederation designed by the nation. It can be affirmed in this similar concern that the revolutionary changes mainly took place due to certain critical factors. These factors can be further identified as declined revenue or profitability, augmented degree of public debt, gaining momentum of interest rates and weakened finances of the government (Kennedy et al. 2011). Thus, in this similar context, the determination of whether the US Constitution and Bill of Rights was a liberal or a conservative document by 1800 has been analyzed in the following discussion. Discussion The US Constitution and Bill of Rights had undergone with several changes after the conclusion of the American Revolution in the year 1783. It has been apparently observed that the reformed Constitution and Bill of Rights by the year 1800 had eventually generated a new creative power amid the people and the individuals supporting the Republicans along with the US Democrats (Lienhard 1997). Specially mentioning, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights, by the year 1800, was determined as a liberal document rather than a conservative document. This might be justified with reference to the fact that by the end of the year 1800, the US Constitution along with Bill of Rights had been framed for adopting certain significant initiatives. These initiatives can be viewed as supporting personal along with economic liberties, restoring conservative powers of various states belonging to the US and fostering aristocracy in the political setting among others. Conceptually, the initial ten amendments to the US Constitution are popularly acknowledged as “Bill of Rights” that emphasized preserving a few of the most valuable American based principles. These principles were identified as “right to keep and bear arms”, “right to a speedy trial and witnesses”, “provisions concerning prosecution”, “freedom of speech, press, religion and petition”, “right of search and seizure regulated” and “conditions for quarters of soldiers.” The other principles comprise “right to a trial by jury”, “excessive bail along with cruel punishment”, “rule of construction of Constitution” and “rights of the states under Constitution” (Kennedy et al. 2011). Theoretically describing, a liberal document concentrates upon making considerable changes and providing utmost benefits to the individuals by way of exercising various normative rights, based on ethical considerations towards liberty of citizens as individuals. On the other hand, a conservative document represents tougher emotional sensitivity and possesses the preference for particular considerations that are quite stable, predictable and familiar. During the period 1800s, a liberal document usually prioritized the individualist nature and development of pro-free-market with the aim of promoting the significant concern of social justice (Graham et al., 2009). Contextually, it can be affirmed from a broader perspective that the US Constitution and Bill of Rights was determined as a liberal document rather being a conservative one in 1800, as the its principles particularly focused on resolving various issues prevailing within the diverse states of the US. Moreover, these focused upon providing significant benefits to the individuals in the form of exercising rights towards protecting their self-interests (Graham et al., 2009). In this regard, the key issues highlighted in the liberal document were observed to be social insecurity, unfavorable impacts imposed over the environment, ineffective arrangements for public welfare and frequent happening of wars. Apart from this, there also lay another important reason based on which, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights of 1800 can be termed as a liberal document. Stating precisely, the US Constitution and Bill of Rights had been framed in accordance with the transforming requirements of the Americans and their changing demands in the then society. However, it has been argued that the US Constitution and Bill of Rights framed by the year 1800, failed to comply with the requisites of a liberal document, as the rights of the citizens were not secured due to the absence of offering equal rights and opportunities based on humanitarian grounds (Graham et al., 2009). Conclusion Based on the above analysis and discussion, it can be affirmed that the US Constitution and Bill of Rights was a liberal document by the year 1800. It was after the conclusion of the American Revolution in the year 1783 that the US Constitution and Bill of Rights was developed, as intended towards protecting the rights of the common people in the form of developing various sorts of principles. These principles included “right to keep and bear arms”, “right to a speedy trial and witnesses” and “provisions concerning prosecution” among others. Specially mentioning, the liberalistic nature of making the required changes and providing utmost benefits to the citizens of the nation in the form of exercising rights, eventually made the US Constitution and Bill of Rights a liberal document by 1800. References Graham, Jesse, Haidt, Jonathan and Nosek, Brian A. 2009. “Liberals and Conservatives Rely on Different Sets of Moral Foundations.” Journal of Personality and Social Psychology 96 (5): 1029-1046. Grundset, Eric G. 2008. African American and American Indian Patriots in the Revolutionary War. A Guide to Service, Sources and Studies: 1-813. Hildreth, R., 1856. The History of the United States of America, Volume 3. New York: Harper & Brothers. Kennedy, David, Cohen, Lizabeth and Piehl, Mel. 2011. The Brief American Pageant: A History of the Republic. United States: Cengage Learning. Lienhard, John H. 1997. Slaves and Smallpox: http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi518.htm (Accessed January 31, 2014). Lienhard, John H. 1997. An American Revolution: http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi445.htm (Accessed January 31, 2014). Mittelberger, Gottlieb. 1898. Journey to Pennsylvania in the Year 1750, trans. Carl Theo Eben. Philadelphia: John Jos McVey. 25–31. Smith, John. 1907. “The Generall Historie of Virginia, New England & the Summer Isles”. The Travel of Captaine John Smith 1: 203-05. Woolman, John. 1909. The Journal of John Woolman. New York: Houghton Mifflin, 209-217. Read More