Ronald Tanaki created the concept of two frontiers to describe the two places where Britain was actively acting during the colonization period – America and Ireland. Those places were crucial parts in the creation of the dichotomy between British “civilization” and the “savagery” of others (Tanaki 39). British colonizers considered the whole process of colonization as a way to show that “the whole Earth is the Lord’s garden” (Tanaki 37).
The British planned the colonization of North America for quite a long time but could not establish a stable colony in America for decades. The first attempt was made in 1585 when the expedition gave the open lands the name Virginia. However, as Tanaki notes, they were not really prepared to survive in the wilderness (47). Then, as Tanaki notes, “the Indians’ story had been one of stolen lands, sickness, suffering, starvation, and sadness” (58). British colonizers’ main goals were to maximize profits from the mid-Atlantic and New England regions. Overall, British colonizers had some problems in the initial stages, but then they captured an enormous number of lands to become a superpower.
Thomas Jefferson’s views on nation-building were rooted in his desire to make democracy for white people. Although Jefferson’s democratic values have positive agenda, that democracy was designated not for all people (Tanaki 21). If an individual wants to have all the benefits of democratic life, she should break with native habits and assimilate with the “true” American style of life (Tanaki 21). This view was dominant in the minds of the white American population.
Works Cited
Daniels, Roger. Coming to America: A History of Immigration and Ethnicity in American Life. HarperCollins, 2019.
Jefferson, Thomas. The declaration of independence. Verso, 2019.
Takaki, Ronald. A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. eBookIt. 2012.