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Changes to American Society and Culture: The Journey to Independence
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The First Great Awakening
The Great Awakening was a religious event that took place in the British Atlantic (Corbett). This event created mass upset and division among the colonies and resulted in the division of Protestant believers and non-believers. There were three main men responsible for the trickle-down-effect of this revival; George Whitefield, John Edwards, and James Davenport (Corbett). They brought new ideas about religious freedom and was the beginning to a drastic cultural change among the new Americas. -
The French and Indian War
Also known as the Seven Years' war. This war had a big influence on the relationships between America, the French, and Britain. This land war started in Pennsylvania and resulted in many changes for the new colonies. There were stronger relationships formed among America and Britain as well as some relationships that were declining. This war resulted in Great Britain gaining control of more land in America after defeating the French (Corbett). -
Townshend Revenue Act
The Townshend Revenue Act was placed in 1767 on a handful of imported consumer items. This act was put into place after the fall out from the Stamp Act. The way this act was worded allowed the British officials to bypass colonial legislatures and government (Corbett). This act was another act that would add fuel to the fire for the people of the new America. The cultural identity continues to be formed and the animosity towards Britain has been increased with the establishment of these acts. -
Boston Tea Party
The Boston Tea Party took place on December16th, 1773. This destructive event occurred as part of the retaliation efforts of colonists upset about Great Britain's new tax act (Corbett). This one of the first and most prominent acts of defiance of the colonists towards Great Britain. This was a start to the colonists expressing their voices and making themselves heard. The colonists were against the imposed tax and control that Britain was trying to hold over them, -
Declaration of Independence
A major advancement in the new American cultural identity was the draft of the Declaration of Independence. This document was written by Thomas Jefferson and is one of the most important documents in American history. This document detailed the reasoning for America to withdraw their dependence from Great Britain and created the American values and identity as we know it today. Thomas Jefferson spoke for the majority of the colonies with this document and made their feelings known. -
Constitutional Convention
The first constitutional convention was the beginning of the American government. The attendees drafted the framework for what would be the national government. The changing cultural identity of the colonies held onto the new ideas and worked hard to stand their grounds. The most prominent men included James Madison and Alexander Hamilton. These men worked to create a document that would last forever. -
Bill of Rights
The Bill of Rights was created in 1791 by Federalists in order to help Americans believe in the 1787 Constitution. This was the last step in the finalization of the new American identity. This Bill of Rights included amendments that would limit total Federal power and protect the rights of the American people. This document help unite the Americans and continued to produce progress in the American culture and identity.
