As colonies continued to grow in population and size, changes were also taking place in society. The diversity of new settlers, a shift in focus brought about by the Great Awakening and other events led to a much more "American" society.
To what extent did each of the following contribute to a more democratic colonial society:
a)the Great Awakening
b)the Zenger case
c)immigration
Thursday, June 28, 2012
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Changes taking place within the colonies, such as growth in population and the diversity of the new settlers, led to a more “American” society. Other factors which contributed to a more democratic colonial society were the Great Awakening, the Zenger Case, and Immigration.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening helped lead the colonies to a more democratic society by changing the citizens’ view of authority. This religious movement soon gave settlers an idea which would later challenge the authority of the king and his royal governors. The idea was that the common people could make their own religious beliefs without consulting the authority of the ministers. It’s this thought which then led them to believe that they could make their own political decisions without the landowners and merchants.
Even though the majority of the colonists only read the bible at the time, the Zenger case helped lead the colonies to a more “American” society. Because newspaper writers could be sent to jail for offending a political authority, there was no freedom of the press. When John Peter Zenger was brought to trial for criticizing New York’s governor, jail seemed inevitable. However, he was acquitted, and the Zenger Case eventually challenged the newspapers to voice their distaste with the colony’s government.
With people seeking economic opportunity and refuge from religious persecution, an influx of immigrants began to show up in the colonies. Early America soon became a melting pot for the different ethnicities and promoted multicultural American identities. This then promoted some sense of equality, for everyone was just trying to make the best of what they had at the time.
As the colonies grew, prospered, and diversified, the colonists’ focus shifted to a more democratic, “American” society after events such as the Great Awakening, the Zenger Case, and immigration. The 18th century colonists had spent the previous decades growing and forming an identity, and the Great Awakening in the 1730s/1740s, immigration of different cultures, and the first push towards freedom of press, The Zenger Case, helped to push the new identity to a more democratic style than what had previously been seen in Europe. These events put everyone on the same level and took away the boundaries put between those with authority, and those without.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening broke down the walls between the church authorities and the common man by pointing out how the Bible teaches that all men are sinful, but they all have the same opportunity to repent and turn to God. Jonathan Edwards’ 1741 sermon “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God” helped initiate the religious movement by arguing that every sinful soul will receive the same eternal damnation regardless of Earthly status and that no one is exempt from judgment. The movement was intensified by George Whitefield who spread the Gospel to everyone in the colonies and stressed that ordinary people were just as capable of understanding the Bible as a minister. Colonists no longer felt that they had to rely on a minister to teach them about Christianity which put everyone on equal footing religiously.
The equal opportunities that were granted to European immigrants and the outcome of the Zenger Case that promoted free press encouraged the feelings of democratic equality among colonists. Though settlers had many different reasons for coming to America, each colonist came knowing that he had the same chance as everyone else. Colonists immigrated specifically for the opportunities available in the New World, and by continuing to offer equality among the different colonies, democracy among colonists began to ingrain itself into the identity and personality of America. The Zenger Case exemplified the equality that settlers hoped to have when John Peter Zenger’s lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, successfully argued that colonists should be able to print the truth about government officials even when the information was not flattering. When the jury voted to acquit Zenger, colonists felt encouraged to step up and tell the truth about officials without being punished. The freedom that everyone was eventually granted to speak their mind and write what they pleased became a fundamental idea that the democratic government of The United States of America was built around.
The original 13 colonies set the stage for one of America's most defining characteristics, democracy. However it was what happened in the colonies- the coming together of immigrants, the controversy surrounding the Zenger case, and the sermons preached during the Great Awakening- that gave Americans the courage they would need to start the revolution and compose our first amendment rights.
ReplyDeletePeople of different nationalities had been immigrating to the Americas since it was discovered, and with different cultures come different religions. Anglicans, Lutherans, Jews, Catholics, Quakers, and Puritans were expected to live together in the new land. However instead of having a religious war among themselves, the settlers of all colonies, to some degree, practiced religious toleration. Some colonies were like Rhode Island and Pennsylvania that allowed total religious freedom. Others like Massachusetts chose to accept Protestant denominations yet excluded Catholics and non-Christians. The open-mindedness of our first settlers would lead to our right to freedom of religion.
Freedom of religion wasn't the only right to get its start in colonial days. The right to Freedom of the press would also begin to make an appearance. Before the Zenger case, printers and publishers of newspapers were censored by law as to what they could include in their papers. If not careful they could find themselves being jailed for 'libel', or criticizing political authorities. John Pefer Zenger took the risk of being jailed and ran a story criticizing the New York royal governor of his time. The law held that injuring an authority’s reputation, whether true or false, through print was to be considered criminal. However with the help of his lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, Zenger was acquitted by the jury who ignored the old English law. By taking this gamble, Zenger inspired other newspapers to also take risks when running stories on politics.
While immigration diversity and the Zenger case gave birth to crucial American ideas, it was the religious preachings of the Great Awakening that gave the colonists the courage to act on their beliefs and ignited the spark that would eventually burst into the American Revolution. It was the sermons of English preacher George Whitefield, who taught that regular people were able to make their own religious decisions without relying on the ministers to teach them. Colonists took this idea and applied it to politics. The common man now possessed the notion that he had the power to make his own political decisions without consulting the authority of landowners and merchants. During the next three decades it is this notion that would cultivate and grow into the impassioned ideas that supported the colonists in their rebellion.
As an developing country, America was expected to evolve politically, socially, and religiously. During the mid-1700's, America underwent drastic changes in all three areas.
ReplyDeleteI believe the first changes in democracy came with the immigrants. Europeans were flooding to America in the early 1700's. These were people from all over the world, each with their own ideas on how a country should be run. It was a clash of the cultures. The Scotch-Irish immigrants had "very little respect for British government," which implies that they didn't always follow the rules. There were also a multitude of African slaves that were brought in under anything but their own free will. 90 percent of the African American population lived in southern states, where they had no hope of freedom until they died. These slaves had no rights, and they would be considered equals until centuries later, when their political movements would make history.
The Great Awakening had a huge impact on religion itself. People realized, thanks to George Whitefield, that they didn't have to rely on the pastor to teach them about the Lord on Sunday mornings. After confessing their sins to God, they realized they could do their own research. This opened the minds of the Americans. They began applying such principles to other aspects of life, like politics.
Peter Zenger was charged with "libelously criticizing New York's royal governor" in 1735. At the time, such proclamations were considered criminal, whether there was truth to the statements or not. The jury decided to acquit Zenger, however, and this opened the floodgates for other newspaper owners to step up and express their opinions regarding government officials more openly.
These three aspects of life in early America contributed both to the democracy of the time and for the rights still to come. By themselves, they mean little, but when combined, they began a trend of something almost like political rebellion in the new nation.
During the early to mid-eighteenth century, colonial society became more American through a new focus on personal freedoms. The most prominent events of this period that focused on the ideal of freedom were increased immigration, the Great Awakening, and the Zenger Case.
ReplyDeletePopulation in the colonies increased from 250,000 to 2,500,000 in the first 75 years of the eighteenth century. Such a sudden influx of European settlers and African slaves brought great diversity to the New World. People of different religions, languages, and cultures occupied the various lands of America, sharing in a colonial identity. This identity was forged by the colonists’ various reasons for emigrating—from seeking economic opportunity to escaping faith-based persecution. Both of these reasons in particular called for certain personal freedoms that were mirrored later on in American society: the freedom of religion and the freedom of equal opportunity. It would soon be widely accepted that one would not be persecuted for his or her religious beliefs and that one could climb the social ladder through hard work and perseverance. Such qualities gave meaning to the phrase “the American way,” signifying the shift from colonial society to a more democratic America.
The Great Awakening of the 1730s and ‘40s erupted out of the sizzling sermons of reverends such as Massachusetts’s Johnathan Edwards and the formerly English George Whitefield. Colonial religious practice was forever changed, for people gained a more emotional and personal involvement in their beliefs. This movement increased religious independence and caused people to deny the religious authority of their ministers. In addition, these newly independent religious views gave people the desire to make their own decisions in other aspects of life--namely, politics. At the time, not many colonists were radical enough to defy the authority of political giants such as the King, but this movement nevertheless planted the seed of democratic revolution in the minds of soon-to-be Americans.
New York newspaper editor John Peter Zenger risked imprisonment when he criticized the colony’s royal governor in a published article. This of course wouldn’t happen with later America’s First Amendment right of freedom of the press, but this incident occurred in 1735—50 years before the US Congress adopted the Bill of Rights. Under the English law at that time, any published material that offended a public authority was considered libel, and the publisher could be jailed for this crime. However, when Zenger was brought to trial, the jury voted to acquit him. Such a surprising acquittal prompted other newspapers to speak out against colonial government’s wrongdoings, giving great victory to those who believed in freedom of the press. With the popularity of his acquittal, Zenger inspired many colonists to seek the freedom of speech, further separating the colonies from their rulers and melding their identities into an entirely separate democracy.
There were a lot of events that changed the course of the history of America. Some changed it for the better, and some for the worse. No matter how they changed the course of history, they still are important events in the history of this country.
ReplyDeleteOne of the events just happens to be the Zenger Case. In this case, John Peter Zenger said something about a governor that hurt his reputation, which was illegal at the time, and was taken to court as a result. The court acquitted him because his statement was the truth about the governor. This did not completely give freedom of press, but it did give the press more liberty.
Immigration of people with different ethnicities also changed history. When different cultures started showing up, it was bringing a new light to the country. Some cultures did things differently and more effectively which broadened the room for growth of the new country. So when an English man had a question about farming then he could ask for a German man’s opinion and maybe learn something that would aid him in the long run.
The Great Awakening changed the way people tried to live their lives. It completely changed some people’s view of God and what they thought that He could do. Churches got more involved and changed how services went. People started getting “saved”, and doing more to help themselves get “closer” to God.
The British colonies slowly developed a distinct culture that was different from any other in Europe. Although the structure of each colonial society varied slightly, they shared numerous characteristics. The Great Awakening, the Zenger case, and immigration contributed to shaping the thirteen colonies into more “American” societies.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening was a movement with expressions of religious feelings among people. Reverend Jonathan Edwards started the Great Awakening with a sermon called “Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God.” Edwards preached that God was rightfully angry with the sinful nature of humans. Individuals who expressed deep penitence could be saved by God’s grace, but the souls who ignored God’s commandments would suffer in Hell. The Great Awakening influenced both religious and political practice. Emotionalism became a norm of Protestant services. The movement affected every social class. For the first time, colonists and Americans shared and experience. The Great Awakening also changed the way people viewed authority resulting in democratizing the colonies.
Brought to trial in 1735, John Peter Zenger, a New York editor and publisher, was charged for negatively criticizing New York’s royal governor. At the time, injuring a governor’s reputation was considered unlawful. Andrew Hamilton, Zenger’s lawyer, defended his client by arguing that Zenger had printed the truth. The jury voted to acquit Zenger. This act led to more democracy by encouraging newspapers to speak more freely on issues.
In 1701 the English colonies had a population of about 250,000, but by 1775 the population had reached 2,500,000. The population growth was due to immigration and high birth rates. A surfeit of fertile American land and food supplies gave thousands of European settlers a reason to emigrate. The increase in population created opportunities for more people to get involved in politics, creating a more democratic society.
With an increase in colonies’ populations and sizes came an increase in the need for efficient government.
ReplyDeleteImmigration largely impacted the democratization of the colonies. Scotch-Irish immigrants had little respect for the British government, so it expected that they would prefer a new, more equal form of government. The German immigrants showed little interest in politics. They did obey the colony’s laws, but they also kept their own language, customs, and religion. This maintenance of religion would keep the Germans from being eligible to vote in certain colonies.
The Great Awakening consisted of preachers preaching sensationally about sin, punishment, and repenting, along with how “ordinary people… could understand the Christian Gospels without depending on ministers to lead them.” These new ideals shook up not only religion in the colonies but just about every other aspect of life and civilization as well. The idea that people didn’t have to rely so heavily on ministers or church leaders to achieve salvation led to the idea that people may not need to rely so heavily on their government either. This change in thinking would later challenge the king’s authority and that of his royal governors.
John Peter Zenger was charged with “libelously criticizing New York’s royal governor.” Though the law considered injuring a governor’s reputation criminal, no matter how true the statement was, Zenger’s lawyer argued that what was said was in fact true. The jury agreed and found Zenger not guilty. This case certainly did not guarantee freedom of the press, but it was a step in the right direction. It encouraged newspapers to take the extra risk when writing about the government.
During the 18th century, there were many events that shaped the political atmosphere of Colonial America including the religious movement titled “The Great Awakening”, the Zenger Case, and a drastic increase in immigration. Each of these specific events influenced the religious sphere, the political sphere, and the cultural sphere, respectively, of America, gently guiding it to a more democratic existence.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening, as mentioned, was a religious movement that created several different branches of Christianity that are popular today, such as the Baptist and Methodist schools of thought. The religious leaders behind the Great Awakening, such as George Whitefield, preached that the common man, as long as he is faithful, should be able to understand the gospels without having a minister explain them to him. This slightly influenced the political sphere along with the religious sphere, suggesting that if one can understand the gospels without a higher religious authority, then why should one be incapable of being able to make his or her own political decisions without the help of a higher political power? Ironically however, through its slight influence to the democratic sphere, it may have also provided a more intolerant air to non-practitioners.
The Zenger Case was a peculiar trial in which John Peter Zenger was tried for an article in his newspaper criticizing the Governor of New York, which was deemed illegal by English law at the time, even if the statement was true or false. Interestingly, the jury acquitted Zenger, despite his obvious trespassing on the English law. This led to newspapers and other press to become more daring and confident in their criticisms of the government, and one might note that a significant sign of democracy is freedom of speech and press. The Zenger Case made the political sphere more democratic based on this evidence.
Immigration affected mainly the cultural sphere of Colonial America, but it did have its political impact as well. Throughout the 18th century, population exponentially increased, starting from a mere 250,000 settlers in 1701 to 2.5 million in 1775, and this increase in population was mostly due to immigration and partially due to the rising birth rate in America. This influx of foreigners made America extremely culturally diverse, from Germans to Scotch Irish to Swedes and West African slaves. The sheer diversity of the American colonies definitely influenced the political spectrum, especially in the case of West African slaves, who now made up 20% of the entire population, or 500,000 people. Despite constituting a fifth of the entire colonies, the West Africans were not eligible to vote, own property, or, for that matter, be considered as equals to non-Africans.
The Great Awakening, the arrival of immigrants, and the Zenger case all contributed something to make the colonies more democratic. Much of what we practice in today’s society wouldn’t have come to be if it weren’t for these three.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening encouraged people to make their own decisions independent from a higher authority. The Great Awakening had an effect on the religious practices of the colonies and caused a major division within the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. The division was between the New Lights and the Old Lights; the New Lights supported the teachings of the Great Awakening and the Old Lights condemned them. People began making their own religious decisions and the Baptist and Methodist grew in size which caused a separation of church and state. This is similar to our freedom of religion that we have today. People soon decided that if they could make their own religious decisions then they should be able to make their own political decisions.
The outcome of the Zenger Case encouraged the freedom of the press while ignoring the English law. The Zenger Case wouldn’t have happened if John Zenger wouldn’t have criticized the royal governor of New York and been brought to court. His lawyer argued that he only posted the truth, but it was a criminal act to post anything that could hurt the royal governor’s reputation. The jury ignored the English law and acquitted Zenger. This in itself didn’t guarantee freedom of press, but it encouraged them to make more posts criticizing the colonial governors. If this hadn’t happened, we most likely wouldn’t have the freedom of speech and press that we have present-day.
The immigration of people from countries other than England brought a cultural diversity that would gradually change the English views. When the Germans came they kept their own language, culture, and religion; they didn’t care much for English politics, but they still followed all of the English laws. Most of the non-English immigrants came for economic opportunity. This lead to the farming of new land and the establishment of new shops in colonial towns. Africans were the largest single group of non-English immigrants, but they didn’t come of their own free will. The coming of new cultures caused the variety and diversity of people and cultures that we have now.
Modern day America is a distinct society that is known for its diversity of culture, its freedom of speech, and its democratic government that allows citizens to make essential governmental decisions. The original colonies had none of this, and only had one nationality, a silenced press, and government descisions made only by the wealthy. The shift toward the American society started in the 1700s. The shifts can be seen in the increase in immigration, the Zenger case, and the Great Awakening.
ReplyDeleteThe colonies had a very small population of 250,000 in 1701. By 1775, America’s excellent and abundant land had attracted enough immigrants from all areas for the population to increase tenfold. Although English immigrants continued to come, their numbers paled in comparison to immigrants from other countries like Gremany and Ireland. Immigrants for other countries had little to no respect for British government, and changed the opinioins of the English around them. Africans also were forced to immigrate to America as slaves. Despite all of the different nationalities that became present in the colonies, they all mixed, making the growing America very diverse in culture, as it is today.
The Zenger Case was a milestone in freedom of the press. In the early 1700s, newspapers were used for mostly ads and essays for better living. If newspaper printers published an article or drawing that offended political authorities, then they could be jailed for libel, regardless to if it was true or false. John Peter Zenger was brought on trial for criticizing New York’s royal governor. The jury ignored the law, and acquitted Zenger. This encouraged newspapers to risk criticizing government, the first step towards America’s freedom of speech.
The Great Awakening inspired people to push for more of a voice in government. In the 1730s, there was an increase in religious zeal known as the Great Awakening. New teachings presented an angry God, and spoke of the terrors of damnation. Preachers like George Whitefield and Jonathan Edwards gave many sermons explaining that God was rightfully angry with sinners, who should confess their guilt and give their life to studying Jesus’s teachings. Soon, people began to spend time studying the Bible on their own time, and not just at services. People decided to make their own religious decisions, rather than follow those that the church made for them. They soon questioned why that mindset couldn’t apply to government as well. The Great Awakening gave a democratic mindset to government, and encouraged people to push to make their own descisions in government, and not just listen to a higher authority. The Great Awakening pushed people towards America’s democracy.
-Brennan Ballard
Over the course of time, the colonies continued to flourish and grow in population and develop an ever-changing society. The changing society eventually developed into a more “American” society by becoming more democratic. Immigration, the Great Awakening, and the Zenger Case all attributed to the growth of a democratic society.
ReplyDeleteMany Europeans immigrated to the colonies to escape from an unjust government system or from religious intolerance. They believed that they could be free in the Americas, which is the main democratic belief. Immigrants brought over the central belief of all democrats, which is the idea of free will.
The Great Awakening was a movement of religious feelings made by the people who inhabited the colonies. People started to realize that they did not have to go through a minister or religious leader to become saved and go to heaven. This idea spread to all faucets of life, even politics. The Great Awakening made people realize that they could make choices for themselves and decide on politics themselves, another key principle in democracy.
In colonial times, it was against the law to injure a political leaders reputation, which made newspapers not print the truth because they were scared to get arrested. However; in 1935, John Peter Zenger criticized the governor in his editorial and got put on trial. His judge acquitted him of his crime because he had told the truth about the governor’s actions. This did not lead to full freedom of press, but it made new printers not scared to print the truth about political leaders.
Cities were increasing in size; populations were increasing ten-fold; lands were being explored; new cities were being established. Early America was growing rapidly in the 18th Century, and during this time, many changes took places. However, one of the most important areas that experienced changes was the society of early America. The Great Awakening, the Zenger case, and immigration are only a few contributing factors to creating a more democratic, or “American”, colonial society.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening, a movement characterized by fervent expressions of religious feeling amongst the masses of people, began during the 1730s, wherein a dramatic change from the previous Protestant ways swept through the colonies with extreme force. The Great Awakening had a profound effect on religious practice as a whole in the colonies. With the Great Awakening also came a major division within churches between those supporting its teachings and those condemning them. The Great Awakening affected all aspects of life, and it affected every social class in every section. For the first time, the colonists all shared a common experience as “Americans”.
News and ideas got around the colonies by means of a postal system and local printing presses, i.e. the newspaper. Newspaper printers ran the risk of being jailed if any article was to offend the political authorities; John Peter Zenger was one such person. Zenger was brought to trial on a charge of criticizing New York’s royal governor even though what he had said about the governor was true. According to English law, injuring a governor’s reputation was considered a criminal act, regardless of the truthfulness. Because the jury on the Zenger case ignored English law and voted to acquit Zenger, newspapers were encouraged to take risks in criticizing a colony’s government.
Because of the massive amounts of immigration worthy of being called a migration to the New World, society was very diverse. There were many a language spoken and many a religion practiced. People came from all over Western Europe: Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, etc. Although there were many immigrants from many countries, Great Britain had the largest number of immigrants. The largest non-English group was the Africans. However, they were not immigrants; they were slaves. This slavery lead to a “cast” system similar to those in Spanish colonies, in which the “pure-blooded” reigned supreme, while the “un-pure” remained suppressed. Moreover, this slavery led to ruthless discrimination and the violent mistreatment of these indentured servants or slaves.
The Great Awakening, immigration, and the Zenger case contributed to a more democratic colonial society at different intensities. The Great Awakening heavily impacted the democracy in colonial society. It changed the way that people viewed authority. Immigration contributed to society by giving the immigrants freedom to worship, keep traditions and customs, and seek economic opportunities how they pleased. The Zenger case made a huge contribution to democracy in colonial society by encouraging freedom of speech and press.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening contributed to a more democratic colonial society. The Great Awakening was a movement involving passionate expressions of religious feeling among masses of people. The Great Awakening took the authority from ministers and put it into the hands of the people. It told them that you didn’t have to be special or have special qualities to worship. It also told them that they didn’t have to have ministers to lead them; they could just read their bibles on their own. The movement affected every social class, bringing the colonists together as one. It also brought about the idea of self government.
Immigration somewhat contributed to a more democratic colonial society. It increased population growth in the colonies which led to an abundance of fertile land and a dependable food supply. It also gave freedom to immigrants who wanted to escape religious persecution and wars. It also let the people worship freely, and it let them seek economic opportunities and maintain their customs and religion.
The Zenger case heavily contributed to a more democratic colonial society. John Peter Zenger was charged of libelously criticizing New York’s royal governor. His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that Zenger had printed the truth about the royal governor. The jury, ignoring the English law, voted to acquit Zenger. This case encouraged newspapers to take risks; the case also promoted freedom of speech and freedom of the press. With this promotion, white property owners adapted to electing representatives to colonial assemblies and tolerated a various religions.
Part 1
ReplyDeleteThere were many factors that contributed to a more democratic colonial society as the colonies continued to grow in population and size. Of these were 3 important factors: The Great Awakening, The Zenger Case, and immigration. Each of these contributed to a more democratic colonial society in a different way. For example, The Great Awakening changed the way people viewed authority. The Zenger Case encouraged newspapers to speak their mind more. Immigration contributed in a way to a more democratic society because it allowed the nation to be mixed with different ethnicities and each individual had to work and start from scratch which made everyone equal. The shift of focus brought about by all these factors led to a much more American society.
The Great Awakening contributed greatly to a more democratic society. People began to change the way they viewed authority because of this prominent movement. "If the common people could make their own religious decisions without relying on the "higher" authority of ministers, then might they also make their own political decesions without deferring to the authority of the great land owners and merchants" (48)? Colonist felt that if they couuld make their own decisions then they could surely make their own political decisions independently. Because the Great Awakening allowed such religious freedom amoung all people, a more democratic society began to form.
Part 2
ReplyDeleteIn addition to the Great Awakening, The Zenger Case also contributed to a more democratic society. The case had to do with John Peter Zenger who was an editor and publisher being brought to trial on a charge of libelously criticizing New York's royal governor. "According to English common law at the time, injuring a governor's reputation was considered a criminal act, no matter if a printed statement was true or false" (51). The jury in this case ignored the English law and voted to acquit Zenger. The jury knew that Zenger did no physical harm and that he should be allowed to express his words however he pleased. Zenger's case established the foundation for the Freedom of press which encouraged newspapers and people to voice their own opinions. Little did these people know that they were starting the beginning of an evolution even bigger........democracy.
As a final point, immigration contributed to a more democratic society as well. Newcomers to the colonies came from countries all over Europe. Great Britain, England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France, and Germany were just a few. All of these people coming from different cultures and religions allowed the society to be diverse. Each individual had to make a living strategy from scratch which made everyone equal. "Others sought economic opportunity either by farming new land or setting up shops in a colonial town as an artisan or a merchant" (43). The entire society had to work hard and make a livng to survive in this New World.
The following situations prompted a somewhat democratic society in early America: The Great Awakening, Zenger Case, and immigration.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening can be described as a moment fueled by passionate religious feeling among people. This movement changed the way people viewed authority. If people could read "the word" themselves, they could interpret their own meaning and make their own decisions. From this whole idea of independent thinking emerged thoughts of individuality and human rights. The idea of freedom would hold a long lasting impression .During this time Jonathan Edwards argued that God was rightfully angry with human sinfulness. This was a strong idea for those wanting to have a deeper connection with God.
The Zenger Case, John P. Zenger, a New York editor and publisher, was put on trial for denouncing the royal governor of New York. This was considered a criminal act no matter if it was true of false. At trial, Zenger was acquitted, but it still didn't guarantee full freedom of press. However, it allowed a little more risk.
With immigration emerged the idea of developing the individual for the better. They wanted to start anew. Colonist sought economic opportunity either by farming land or becoming artisans or merchants in town shops. Others came to escape religious prosecution. Here, the colonists began to experience their rights.This way they had the freedoms to endeavor into any religion they desired.
The early American civilization, though far different from that of today, faced similar issues and struggles as Americans face today in the forms of the press, religious indifferences and expression, and also the impacts of immigration. However, though these may seem like issues that divide a country into opposing parties, it actually began the gradual stir of the great American melting pot of culture in which the heterogeneous nature of society’s conflicts become accepted as differences and therefore make the population more homogeneous. One of the societal shifts was brought on by the Zenger case and its charges of libel towards New York’s governor which opened the door to press freedom. Another was the proliferation of religious zealousness brought on by the Great Awakening which forever changed the colonial religion by opening the colonists’ eyes to God’s power. Similarly, immigration sought to change the face of American society with a multitude of settlers migrating to America from a wide array of European counties. Through these many changes to society, the face of America was molded into a place of religious dedication, written freedom, and a wealth of diverse culture.
ReplyDeleteLibel, written publication of a defamatory remark, was a hot issue in the early days of colonial commercial press. Peter Zenger famously violated this common law through publishing work that criticized New York’s royal governor. Though the English law stated this was a criminal act no matter its truthfulness, the jury acquitted Zenger on the basis of testimony by Zenger’s lawyer who stated that the accusations were true. Eventually, this case encouraged others to follow in Zenger’s footsteps by criticizing the government, therefore, paving the way for freedom of the press which became a key part of the American doctrine.
Following decades of humdrum preaching and lengthy discourses on God and religion, a massive force arose that caused masses of people to fervently express their religious dedication and feeling. Rousing and uplifting were the sermons and testimonies given during this rebirth of religion that truly proved to save the state of the colonies by opening the door to damnation which had been shut for far too long. Sinners were saved and the windows of joy and emotion were opened to shine in on the darkness of the colonies. This revelation truly molded colonial society by increasing culture and giving the people an immense amount of hope.
Escape from persecution, a new start at life, economic opportunity, and escape from war were all motivators for the wave of European settlers who flocked from Germany to Africa. With these new immigrants came a wealth of diverse culture and another feature to the face of America. The American culture became like a melting pot due to its motley assortment of culture, language, and backgrounds. These changes to society are reflected in the America of today which offers a multitude of people from many different walks of life.
While the new American society was shaping to be a democratic colonial society. Growing in population and size helped with the change.
ReplyDeleteImmigration had a big part of the growth. The main reason immigrants came to America was to escape religous persecution and wars. To make their own choices hat they couldnt do in the British colonies. Fewer immigrants headed to New england because of limited land and the puritan control.
The great Awakening was "a movement characterized by fervent expressions of religious feeling amond masses of people".(Newman47) It cause an division within the Congregational and Presbyterian churches. Which also caused separation of the church and state. Also the Great Awakening change the way people viewed authority.Making them think " if common people could make their own religious decisions without relying on the "higher" authority of ministers then might they also make their own polical decisions without deferring to the authority of the great landowners and merchants".(Newman48)
During the time if the newspaper offended the political authorities the person who wrote it could be jailed for libel. John Zenger was one to be accused for that. He was on tial for criticizing New York's royal governor. The jury voted to acquit the case,but this encouraged newspapers to take risks in criticizing a colony's goverment.
Even the local government had an form of democracy by which in New England town meetings were they voted directly on public issues evem though voting was only for participation of rich white males only.
As the American colonies began to flourish in population and growth, society began to diverse and portray a much more "American society". The three factors, immigration, the Great Awakening, and the Zenger case, were all key in contributing to the dramatic change in colonial society.
ReplyDeleteAs the American land became more abundant and fertile, immigration of European settlers began to take place. These newcomers were ranging from Great Britain to Germany and France. However all of the immigrants shared similar motives in escaping religious persecution and seeking economic opportunity. Africans were another major group of people who immigrated to America, though not by free will. These people were taken captive and were sold as slaves and were forced to live in America and work a wide range of tasks depending on where they lived. With the colonies growing and the economy prospering, self-government was ought to take place. The government of each colony were beginning to form a democracy. They would have a representative assembly which was elected by eligible voters and in two of the colonies the governor as well could be elected.
The movement characterized by expressions of religious feeling known as the Great Awakening also influenced a Democratic change in America. After two reverends, Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield, influenced many people to confess their sins to be "saved", emotionalism became a common part of Protestant services. Many ministers lost authority to those who began to study the bible in their homes. The Great Awakening also caused a major division within churches resulting in competition, increased religious diversity, and separation of church and state. Democratically speaking, this movement initiated the changing of the way people viewed authority. They began to believe that because they didn't have to rely on authority for religious decisions that they could make their own political decisions as well.
The Zenger car was another factor that lead to a change in political views. During the case in 1735, Peter Zenger a New York editor and publisher was brought to trial with the charge of criticizing New York's royal governor. In colonial days, newspaper printers ran the risk of being jailed for libel if any political authority took offense to the publishing. Zenger's lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that his client had only printed the truth. However, printing something that can ruin a governors reputation was considered illegal whether it were true or not. Ignoring the law, the jury acquitted Zenger. This trial began to encourage newspapers to develop greater risks in criticizing the government. This foreshadows America's First Amendment for freedom of speech and press that will begin to shape how America is today.
As the colonists were finally settled into a somewhat more stable life than when they were entering the New World, their environment of society was changing because of unique immigrants, challenges in religious faith, and the colonial court challenging English law. Immigration is still a major part of America today. They normally come to escape persecution or for the opportunities in the economy that have almost always been here. Most of the immigrants came because they could make themselves successful through hard work no matter what class they came out of. The immigrants began the diversity in ideas and ways of life like their religion. This would be some of the major characteristics that would influence the establishment of American ideals.
ReplyDeleteDuring the 1730’s and 1740’s when the Great Awakening was at its strongest, many colonists’ natures were changed dramatically because there was emphases on humans being sinful and the need to repent to god to avoid damnation was critical. Before the Great Awakening, the way to be saved was by following the Ten Commandments and listening to a minister teach about God’s word. Not many people had a strong personal relationship with God because it was thought that they were not pure enough and God was too perfect for them. It wasn’t until the Great Awakening that people thought they could have a personal relationship with God. The inspiration and leadership from leaders like Jonathan Edwards, George Whitfield, and John Wesley helped the colonists to fight for and form America with strength and determination. The Great Awakening played a major part in a more democratic way people thought of government and equal opportunity. It helped to create the separation of church and state.
Newspapers were not very common until the mid-eighteenth century and only had things like news from Europe or ads. It was illegal to put something in the newspaper that had any hate toward Political Authorities. John Peter Zenger was a publisher that was brought to trial for libel. He criticized New York’s royal governor with true facts. The jury ignored the law and decided to let him go free. This was the first symbol of freedom of speech in the colonies.
Chapter 3
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Democracy began to advance in America much more quickly than it should have in its time. This democracy was brought about by a few things. Imigration brought many new ideas and traditions into america making the need for tolerance greater. The Great Awakening was a religious movement that supported the independence of rural people from their dependence on the upper class in making decisions. The Zenger case helped to promote the ideals of freedom of speech and press.
Immigration brought in a variaty of people, some willingly and some not. Around 18 percent of the population was no longer from england. These settlers, many from Germny and Ireland, brought in new languages and religion. Most showed little interest in English politics but did follow the laws already set for the land. The largest percentage of immigrants were Africans though, and, as many were slaves, they weren't given any rights or oppertunities. Discrimination against africans was present in every colony.
The Great Awakening caused an uproar of religious belief. George Whitefield spreed his teachings across the thirteen colonies. He told the lower class that the faithful did not nesisarily need a minister to be a good follower of the lord. He taught that they could read the bible and deciper it on their own through faith. This helped the lower class to become less dependent on the upper class to make big decisions. The lower class now put more thought into the decisions made and continued to vote on the important issues.
The Zenger case was a debate against the freedom of press. John Peter Zenger released a newspaper that criticized the New York's major. The laws stated that whether true of false, the print was true, one could not destroy the reputation of another. Against this law, the jury aquited Zenger from the charges, thus creating the democratic thought of freedom of speach in the Americas
The Great Awakening contributed to a more democratic society because it was a movement characterized by expressions of religious feelings among masses of people. The Great Awakening was initiated by a series of sermons from Jonathon Edwards. It had an enormous religious impact in the colonies. The Zenger case started when John Peter Zenger criticized New York's Royal governor in the paper. Jury voted to acquit Zenger. This case encouraged newspapers to take risks in criticizing the government. Immigration brought almost a million people to the English colonies who were looking for economic opportunities or escaping religious wars.
ReplyDeleteAlthough the colonies were still governed by their various homelands, many events occured to make the colonies more democratic. Three major events that did this were the Great Awakening, the Zenger case, and immigration.
ReplyDeleteThe settlers of the colonies were very diverse and socially divised. Nothing had happened to effect all social classes until the Great Awakening. This event altered people's view of authority. Although they saw governors and kings as the rulers of the colonies, they had a different viewpoint on their eternal life.
The Zenger case was an interesting occurence. Before anything negative was published in papers, it was usually revoked and replaced. No one tested the limits of freedom. The Zenger case is an example of how the freedom of the press was tested and used as an advantage for the colonial settlers.
The colonies existed because of immigration. All were foreigners to North America. Most left their homeland because of religious freedom or economic opportunity. Having a diverse culture created for a more free society. Because of the need for a free society, the way the colonies ran themselves was more democratic so that the people could be pleased.
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There are several reasons why looking back in history we can see the development of a much more “American” society in the thirteen colonies mainly the influx of immigrants, The Great Awakening, and the Zenger case.
Immigration
Today America, mainly the U.S. is known as a “melting pot” this title is a result of the influx of immigrants that came to America in the 1700s to escape religious persecution and wars, or seek economic opportunity by farming or setting up shop as an artisan. All of the colonies practiced freedom of religion to different degrees of acceptance and your position in life was not determined hereditarily but through your efforts and the amount of money or land you acquired.
The Great Awakening
The Great Awakening is characterized as a movement of people toward fervent expressions of religious feeling. This encouraged religious diversity and more widespread acceptance of religion. The Great Awakening also affected the way people viewed authority, they reasoned that if through reading the bible they could make their own religious decisions, why could they not make their own political decisions and represent themselves without having to defer to the wealthy landowners or some other “higher” power. This movement would challenge the authority of the royal government.
The Zenger Case
The Zenger case was a case by a royal governor against John Peter Zenger, a newspaper editor, who had allegedly printed something about the governor that offended him. In those days it was English law that anyone who printed something offensive toward the royal government should be jailed, but when the Zenger case was brought to trial, the jury voted to acquit Zenger, ignoring the English law, and thereby setting up the foundation for freedom of the press and the freedom of speech. Which are now two very important freedoms that we hold most dear in present day United States.
Although there were many little reasons for the change in population, size, and society as a whole, there were three main reasons for the shift of focus for the diversity of the settlers including The Great Awakening, The Zenger Case, and immigration.
ReplyDeleteThe Great Awakening was a movement that was very often said to be a time of fervent expressions of religious feeling among people. It had an enormous impact on the religious practices in the colony. Sinners would confess their sins and be saved, for example. The Great Awakening also caused a major division within churches, so there was a competition to attract followers.
The Zenger Case basically set up the idea of freedom of the press. The case allowed and encouraged the writers of the newspapers to not be afraid to say what needs to about the government. In the case, John Zenger was brought on trial for "libelously criticizing New York's royal government." However it was brought about by Andrew Hamilton that everything he had said was true. This case led to people being more vocal about beliefs about the government.
Immigrants played a big part in the changes in society. The immigration of the almost one million people caused was caused by an increase of childbirth, but mostly from the settlers that were attracted by the land and the abundant sources. There were many immigrants that were of German, Scotch-Irish, and other Europeans, however one group that came didn't come voluntarily. The Africans were by far the largest group of immigrants that were not English. They made up the labor force and were slaves to many plantation owners. This shaped the look of the colonies for many years to come.
Immigration, the Zenger case, and the Great Awakening had a great impact on the Americanization of the early American colonies contribute greatly to the more democratic society of colonial America.
ReplyDeleteImmigration was an important part of the contribution to democratic society. Immigration led to more religions, more ethnic groups, and more unique customs. The Germans who immigrated maintained their German language, their traditions and customs, and their Lutheran religion. The Scotch-Irish who immigrated to America brought with them the traditions and cultures from their ancestors, and the Africans, who were immigrated by force, brought their traditions, culture, and language. The melting together of different ethnic groups, religions, and cultures led to different type of unification.
The Zenger case was a huge breakthrough for the press in colonial America. The case, which brought to trial John Zenger for criticizing the royal governor at the time. His lawyer, Andrew Hamilton, argued that Zenger was merely telling the truth about the governor, however, at the time printing anything to hurt the reputation of a governor was against the law. The jury chose to acquit Zenger despite the law, which led to more freedom of the press. Without this case in colonial America, we wouldn't have breaking news about the people running our country the way we do now.
The Great Awakening was the start of religious realization in colonial America. Until the Great Awakening, the sermons in Protestant churches showed God as a benign creator of a perfect universe but didn't teach human sinfulness and eternal damnation. However, in the 1730s, religious teachers like George Whitefield and Johnathan Edwards taught the of the Old Testament, human sins, and eternal punishments to sinners. The Great Awakening led to a split between the "old light" and "new light" congregations, a challenge of religious authority and tax supported churches, and African Americans converting to Christianity through its teachings.
These three things led to blends of cultures, languages, religions, and freedoms.