Developing Cultural Identity and Unity in America essays

Developing Cultural Identity and Unity in America essays As British government controlled the thirteen colonies, Americans had begun to develop their own American culture. They sought to do all they could to decline rule, including protests and other acts of refusal. After unfair and unjust British laws, along with insufferable British rule, and the diversity in culture in America, they attained a new sense of identity and unity. Around 1763, these American colonies were brought under a British policy known as salutary neglect. This policy overlooked colonial violations of Britain's trade laws and allowed the colonies to govern themselves. Yet later on, British governments began to tax Americans for war debts and other expenses resulting from the French and Indian War. Thus, an emergence of Americans trying to protect their liberty. ...America is now most firmly united and as firmly resolved to defend their liberties...against every power...that may attempt to take them away. (Doc. C) These American colonists also demonstrated their disapproval to certain British government acts, such as the tea act through the Boston Tea Party, the stamp act through the Stamp Act Congress, and also the townshed acts through the Embargoes. They believed that the British trade laws and policies were unfair, and wanted to be represented in the English Parliament. They wanted no taxation without representation. The co lonists request was turned down and resulted in even harsher laws. As remarked by Edmond Burke, Govern America [?] as you govern an English town which happens not to be represented in Parliament [?] Are Gentlemen really serious when they propose this? (Doc. B) Despite the colonists in America rooting for independence from Britain, there were still people in the country who preferred to have English rule. These types of people were often called Tories, or loyalists. These loyalists did not want to abandon the...