Introduction
A unique set of events defines every century in the history of the United States of America. While the XVI century was the era of colonization, the XVIII century was marked by the colonial decline (Corbett et al. 63-154). While the early XIV century became the making of democracy, in later years, the century was characterized by Westward Expansion (Corbett et al. 183-330). In this essay, I will examine national identity and immigration as significant themes in American history. In addition, I will discuss how, as a student, I adjusted to the new format of lectures and how it affected my mental health.
National Identity throughout American History
One of the major themes in American history is national identity and immigration. From the moment the colonization of the continent began, the national identity of the settlers and Native Americans began to change. The continent’s political, economic, and cultural life was defined by people from different backgrounds interacting and influencing each other and creating a unique culture. The establishment of colonial societies in the XVI century is the first example of the formation of a new national identity and mass immigration in North America. According to Corbett et al., colonization brought many cultures together for the first time (63). Native Americans had never met and interacted with Europeans before and were not familiar with their technology, customs, and traditions. European settlers were also unfamiliar with the Native American way of life. As colonies began to settle, the cultural and technological exchange began. Native Americans were introduced to Christianity, European textiles, and metal implements (Corbett et al. 87). Thus, the colonization of the continent and mass immigration from Europe drastically changed the way of life of the Native tribes.
The colonization of the continent led to people from different cultural backgrounds adapting to each other’s customs and traditions and the eventual formation of the American national identity. The XVIII century was a challenging time for the descendants of European settlers in North America as home governments sought to control their political and economic life. For example, the Coercive Acts of 1774 were put in place to stifle the independence of British settlers by giving the British government jurisdiction over the colonial government and allowing the British troops to occupy any structure in the colonies (Corbett et al. 146). The Coercive Acts were viewed by American society as an attempt to suppress their freedom. As a result of the acts, the British settlers began to retreat from the authority of the Crown and gain more independence in their political and economic life and realized their own identity.
The desire of the British colonies to gain independence from the Crown eventually led to the War for Independence. According to Israel, the American Revolution was one of a kind because it became “the first albeit imperfect model of a new kind of society” (24). Corbett et al. emphasize that American revolutionaries came from different backgrounds, bringing different sections of society together and uniting them by their cause for independence (177). Thus, the different parts of American society were given a common goal that appealed to them and helped to form the American identity further.
Conclusion
In conclusion, national identity is a major theme in American history. The integration of European settlers in North America significantly affected the way of life of Native American tribes. The immigrants from different backgrounds adapted to each other’s customs and traditions and formed a new American identity. As the settlers struggled for independence from the home government, they were united in the common goal that further helped to shape the American national identity.
Personal Note: Challenges and Psychological Well-Being during the Pandemic
This year brought a lot of challenges to people around the world. There were very few countries not affected by the COVID-19 pandemic as the new disease influenced the way people work, study, and interact with others. Personally, adjusting to the new way of life during the pandemic was not easy. The necessity to self-isolate and minimize contact with people outside of the household was difficult. Moving from in-class lectures to online lectures was more challenging than I expected. I believe many students had difficulties with this change, as listening to a lecture from home is not the same as listening to the same lecture in a university hall, surrounded by other students. I found that it is essential to have a defined workplace where you are not distracted by anything. It was difficult for me to create a workplace where I can focus on the task at hand and not allow myself to take extended breaks or indulge in something not study-related.
Nevertheless, this experience also showed me how important it is to take care of my physical and mental health. One of the strategies I developed to maintain my mental health and well-being was to start a journal that tracks my mood and emotions. Keeping this journal helped me understand what affects my mental health the most and how I can avoid stressful situations. Also, physical exercise and spending quality online time with friends and family is a great way to maintain mental health.
Works Cited
Corbett, P. Scott et al. U.S. History. Openstax College, 2014.
Israel, Jonathan. The Expanding Blaze: How the American Revolution Ignited the World, 1775-1848. Princeton University Press, 2017.