From the colonial period through the early Republic, Americans shared a desire for liberty and equality, two dreams complexly linked together, requiring attentiveness from all citizens to maintain a balance, which proved to be a delicate task, regardless of the time-period.
Colonial Period
English colonization in the Americas during the colonial period, 1492-1750, made up of two distinct groups, those in search of religious freedom and persecution, and those interested in new land and fortunes. Liberty for early colonials meant freedom from their jobless and landless mother country of England. In fact, many viewed America in the early seventeenth century as a land of opportunity; so much in fact, Europeans were willing to risk the tumultuous and expensive voyage across the Atlantic. Additionally, the prospect of liberty, as well as equality, enticed many to become Indentured Servants in order to pay for passage to the “New World”. Indentured servitude displayed quite a contradiction, the willingness to give up freedom, liberty and equality for a set time, in hopes of one day achieving the very principles originally forfeited. Successful colonists were desperate for laborers and the promise of higher wages did not attract enough workers to keep up with their demand. Therefore, some used the headright system of granting fifty acres to any Englishmen buying passage to increase labor. Additionally, the demand for laborers gave way to the establishment of a slave-based economy. Although early colonists sought liberty and equality for themselves, slaves and indentured servants did not get protection of individual choice or protection from discrimination. Early colonists brought independent, feisty attitudes to the colonies leading to resentment towards the British government for interfering with the new world. …show more content…
During the mid-eighteenth century, royal authorities tightened their control of colonists who desired higher degrees of self-government with minimal royal control. John Locke argued for natural rights; an individual’s basic rights for life, liberty and happiness, arguing also that when rulers fail to protect these rights, the people were at liberty to overthrow the government. Naturally, the increased attempt to control the colonist along with the growing desire for natural rights increased resistance among colonists, leading into the revolution.
The Revolutionary Era By the middle of the eighteenth century, colonists supported the war for independence, deciding the only way to achieve liberty was to protect and separate themselves from British control. Balancing the delicate line between liberty and equality in the new American republic meant Revolutionary leaders must protect the rights of individuals and states.
Redefining liberty is impossible without also defining and demanding equality. Prior to the French and Indian War, the colonists had no problem with British rule, however, the heavy debts incurred from the wars cause British rule to seek monetary relief by taxing Americans. The American Revolution began to transform colonists politically and socially, embracing republican …show more content…
The Declaration of Independence in 1776 announced the independence of the thirteen British colonies from British rule, becoming instead newly independent sovereign states. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This passage represents the view of Americans during the early Republic on liberty and equally, and represents the standard of liberty the United States was striving
Colonial Period
English colonization in the Americas during the colonial period, 1492-1750, made up of two distinct groups, those in search of religious freedom and persecution, and those interested in new land and fortunes. Liberty for early colonials meant freedom from their jobless and landless mother country of England. In fact, many viewed America in the early seventeenth century as a land of opportunity; so much in fact, Europeans were willing to risk the tumultuous and expensive voyage across the Atlantic. Additionally, the prospect of liberty, as well as equality, enticed many to become Indentured Servants in order to pay for passage to the “New World”. Indentured servitude displayed quite a contradiction, the willingness to give up freedom, liberty and equality for a set time, in hopes of one day achieving the very principles originally forfeited. Successful colonists were desperate for laborers and the promise of higher wages did not attract enough workers to keep up with their demand. Therefore, some used the headright system of granting fifty acres to any Englishmen buying passage to increase labor. Additionally, the demand for laborers gave way to the establishment of a slave-based economy. Although early colonists sought liberty and equality for themselves, slaves and indentured servants did not get protection of individual choice or protection from discrimination. Early colonists brought independent, feisty attitudes to the colonies leading to resentment towards the British government for interfering with the new world. …show more content…
During the mid-eighteenth century, royal authorities tightened their control of colonists who desired higher degrees of self-government with minimal royal control. John Locke argued for natural rights; an individual’s basic rights for life, liberty and happiness, arguing also that when rulers fail to protect these rights, the people were at liberty to overthrow the government. Naturally, the increased attempt to control the colonist along with the growing desire for natural rights increased resistance among colonists, leading into the revolution.
The Revolutionary Era By the middle of the eighteenth century, colonists supported the war for independence, deciding the only way to achieve liberty was to protect and separate themselves from British control. Balancing the delicate line between liberty and equality in the new American republic meant Revolutionary leaders must protect the rights of individuals and states.
Redefining liberty is impossible without also defining and demanding equality. Prior to the French and Indian War, the colonists had no problem with British rule, however, the heavy debts incurred from the wars cause British rule to seek monetary relief by taxing Americans. The American Revolution began to transform colonists politically and socially, embracing republican …show more content…
The Declaration of Independence in 1776 announced the independence of the thirteen British colonies from British rule, becoming instead newly independent sovereign states. The Declaration of Independence states that all men are created equal, and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. This passage represents the view of Americans during the early Republic on liberty and equally, and represents the standard of liberty the United States was striving