The formation of the so-called American identity was a centuries-long process, which incorporated numerous struggles of the first citizens of the country. The conditions of their lives drastically differed from those of British people, and the loyalists on the new continent were experiencing significantly more challenges due to their attitudes (Hewes 29). The frequent ideological conflicts led to the emergence of resistance in many spheres of human life. Meanwhile, these circumstances also resulted in less apparent changes in people’s mindsets. They shaped their contemporary perceptions with regard to societal affairs, a distinctive culture, and political patterns, and these shifts can be examined with the help of primary and secondary sources.
Society
The cornerstone of American identity from the point of view of society is the perceived importance of justice in all matters and the application of this principle to other areas of life. It stems from the memories of the first settlers in the country, who emphasized the critical role of complicated relationships between the people depending on their position in comparison to others. Thus, the idea of one’s superiority in examining any issues, such as in the case of Captain Preston and his officers, was largely criticized by other colonists (Hawkes 34). Such occasions were complicated by social pressures related to religion, which controlled the development of notions of appropriateness (Miller 662). Meanwhile, in the writings of these people, it is stated that in any event, the public good is the only suitable guidance (Saunders 2). In this way, different conflicts related to varying perceptions of justice were the main colonial developments in this area.
Politics
In terms of political processes supporting the emergence of a distinct American identity, the key concepts are individual freedoms and independence on a global scale. For example, the former is presented by the limitations regarding participation in these affairs, such as those related to “female capacity to take politics seriously,” which was neglected (Kerber 33). The same applies to women’s economic role, as can be seen from the case of Eliza Lucas Pinckney and her successful business decisions (Martin 2). In turn, the latter is demonstrated by the significance of collective efforts at the Boston Tea Party and the “virtues of foreign trade” guaranteeing prosperity when not controlled by third parties (Merritt 144; Holton 128). In both cases, the related colonial developments were supported by practical considerations, which confirmed the impossibility of being an independent country or free people in theory.
Culture
The cultural events, which shaped the American identity, were related to the processes of formation of new values. Thus, the tragic cases of witch trials showed that moral guidance should be developed to support religious matters and avoid torturing “those that were before their fellow sufferers” (Mather 37). From this point of view, Whitefield’s statement, “The blessed Spirit was all this time purifying my soul,” can be considered as important for exercising control over cultural practices but insufficient for their morality (57). The message of these primary sources is “the necessity of a spiritual new birth,” which cannot be achieved without benevolence and trust as the main collective values (Lambert 234). These factors allow concluding on the critical role of religion in the American culture, which is, nevertheless, misleading without adhering to more general provisions connected to people’s good intentions.
Conclusion
In general, American identity, in relation to the examined societal, political, and cultural issues, is significantly affected by past struggles in gaining independence. Therefore, it is shaped by the need for justice, freedoms, and moral guidance. From this perspective, the main colonial developments, which affected the formation of this concept, are disagreements in different areas, and the examined sources show individual cases as the evidence to this stance.
Works Cited
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Holton, Woody. “How the Seven Years’ War Turned Americans into (British) Patriots.” Cultures in Conflict: The Seven Years’ War in North America, edited by Warren R. Hofstra, Lanham, MD: Rowman and Littlefield, 2007, pp. 127-143.
Kerber, Linda K. Women of the Republic: Intellect & Ideology in Revolutionary America. Chapel Hill, 1980.
Lambert, Frank. “The Great Awakening as Artifact: George Whitefield and the Construction of Intercolonial Revival, 1739-1745.” Church History, vol. 60, no. 2, 1991, pp. 233-246.
Martin, Eliza Layne. Eliza Lucas Pinckney: Indigo in the Atlantic World [Word Document].
Merritt, Jane T. “Consumer Revolutions and the Politics of Tea.” “Economic History’s Many Muses,” Fourteenth Annual Conference of the Program in Early American Economy and Society, 2014 [Word Document].
Miller, Robert T. “Religious Conscience in Colonial New England.” Journal of Church and State, vol. 50, no. 4, 2008, pp. 661-676.
Mather, Cotton. The Wonders of the Invisible World. Observations as Well Historical and Theological, Upon the Nature, the Number, and the Operations of the Devils. Boston: Governor of Massachusetts Bay, 1693.
Saunders, Richard. Poor Richard’s Almanack. Philadelphia: B. Franklin, 1733.
Whitefield, George. George Whitefield’s Journals. Carlisle PA: Banner of Truth Trust, 1960.