Developing The American Identity

Developing the American Identity

In this essay I will discuss the development of an American Identity which is evident in writing. Leading up to the American Revolution there were three periods. First exploration which led into colonialism, second the Puritan period, and last the Age of Reason which was actually responsible for the formation of a united America. Though each period was different, it wasn’t until the Age of Reason that America started to form its own identity.

In 1492 Christopher Columbus sailed from Spain to what he thought would be a shortcut to India. In reality he landed on a Bahamian island in the Caribbean. Europe was civilized living in cities and towns as well as having forms of writing. Natives of North and South America didn’t have an alphabet at this time. Their cultures were oral so they relied on speaking to preserve important things.

Many of the first writings in America were letters from explorers back to their rulers. In these letters they speak of great beauty and praise their kings. In a letter to Emperor Charles V, Cabeza de Vaca says, “among all the princes who have reigned, I know of none who has enjoyed the universal esteem of your Majesty”(Cabeza de Vaca 30). Explorers had to report good things and try to please the rulers who were funding their expeditions. Cabeza de Vaca seemed to give an accurate depiction of what went on.

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Other explorers seemed to over exaggerate to please their kings and to make a name for theirselves. English explorer John Smith seemed to “spice up” his ordeal with the Indians. He speaks of them as savages when it seems they actually treated him very well.

The next phase in American literature started in 1620 with the arrival of the Pilgrims. Unlike the Puritans, the Pilgrims wanted nothing to do with the English church. Like the explorers before them they make recordings of their journeys and events that happened. Throughout the Puritan period most of their writings are influenced by their religion. Anything that happens, be it good or bad, was caused by God. When William Bradford comes across Squanto he calls him “a special instrument sent of God for their good beyond their expectation” (Badford 87). Something as good as a friendly English speaking Indian had to be God’s doing.

In Mary Rowlandson’s writing she blames herself for being taken captive by Indians. She thought that she hadn’t been a good Christian and that’s why she was taken. At this time the early Americans hadn’t become enlightened so the only thing they could think of to answer things is that God had to cause it. If bad things happened God must be testing you. If good things happened God was showing you good favor. Rowlandson said, “we must rely on God himself, and our whole dependence must be upon him.”(MR 151)

The early Americans hadn’t yet gained an American identity. At this point they just considered themselves Christians. They left England to escape religious persecution

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but still thought of themselves as English. When Cotton Mather died in 1728 it marked the end of Puritanism (AL1700-1820 171).

Mathers and other clerical writers strove to maintain a world centered purely around religion. After his passing the 18th century saw huge changes. Science took huge bounds forwards and offered answers to questions that until this time had been an act of God. Intellectuals now believed in the power of the human mind that had been forgotten since the Roman Empire. The Enlightenment also brought changes to politics that would make America into what it is today.

Benjamin Franklin was one of the early men to start thinking critically in America. He wrote the “Poor Richard’s Almanac” in 1733 and it became hugely popular. He would later sign the Declaration of Independence and become considered as one of America’s most important forefathers. He was also one of the first to question things that had been considered the norm. It is with Franklin that American writers started to develop similar identities. Too question everything and speak against things they didn’t believe in. Education became more important and a highly educated man looks at what is going on around him and tries to