Consider Woodsthe Origins Of American Slavery And The Other

consider Woodsthe Origins Of American Slaveryand The Other Readings

1) Consider Wood's The Origins of American Slavery and the other readings on slavery. Were economics or race more important in the American colonists embracing slavery? Did racism cause slavery or did racism arise as a justification for slavery?

2) What role did the French and Indian War (Seven Years War) play in the creation of a sense of an American identity?

3) What ideas drove the First Great Awakening? Be sure to consider Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God in your answer.

Paper For Above instruction

The origins of slavery in America, the development of American identity, and the religious fervor of the Great Awakening are pivotal themes in understanding early American history. Examining Wood’s The Origins of American Slavery alongside other scholarly readings reveals nuanced insights into whether economic interests or racial ideologies primarily motivated the embrace of slavery by colonial settlers. Additionally, exploring the impact of the French and Indian War illuminates its influence in fostering a collective American identity. Finally, analyzing the ideas underpinning the First Great Awakening, especially Jonathan Edwards' sermon Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, provides a comprehensive understanding of the religious and ideological currents that shaped colonial society.

Economic versus Racial Motivations in the Development of American Slavery

Wood’s The Origins of American Slavery emphasizes economic factors as fundamental in the development of slavery in the colonies. The lucrative nature of cash crops like tobacco, rice, and later cotton created a pressing demand for cheap labor, which plantation owners sought to fulfill through enslaved Africans. These economic incentives were reinforced by the increasingly racialized view of African peoples, which justified their exploitation. However, the question arises whether racism was the root cause or a subsequent justification for slavery.

Historical evidence suggests that initially, economic considerations—such as the profitability of plantation agriculture—were primary. Enslavement was adopted because it was economically advantageous, and racial ideologies were employed afterward to rationalize the enslavement of Africans, who were portrayed as inferior. This sequence indicates that racism served as a tool to legitimize existing economic practices rather than as their primary driver. Scholars like Seymour Drescher and David Brion Davis argue that the development of racial ideologies was a way to morally and socially justify the economic system of slavery that was already underway.

Furthermore, the emergence of racial hierarchies was institutionalized through laws and social norms that distinguished Africans from Europeans, creating a racial caste system. This shift made slavery more permanent and hereditary, embedding racial distinctions deeply into American society (Berlin, 1998). Thus, while economic motives initiated slavery, racial ideology became intertwined as a means to sustain and justify it over time.

The French and Indian War and American Identity

The French and Indian War (1754–1763), part of the global Seven Years’ War, played a significant role in shaping a nascent American identity. The war's outcome enhanced British territorial holdings in North America, but it also fostered a sense of collective self-awareness among the colonies. The experience of fighting alongside one another against common enemies fostered camaraderie and a sense of shared purpose, distinct from British authority.

Moreover, the war exposed colonial grievances and highlighted the economic and political disparities between Britain and its colonies. The imposition of taxes and military regulations afterward, such as the Stamp Act and Townshend Acts, galvanized colonial resistance and fostered a sense of unity rooted in opposition to British interference. This collective resistance laid the groundwork for the patriotic fervor that would culminate in the American Revolution.

Historian Linda Colley (1992) argues that the war contributed to the development of an American identity by promoting a sense of independence, shared history, and collective memory outside of British identity. The war also stirred ideas about self-governance and a sense of being distinct from European powers, which became central to the American revolutionary cause.

The Ideas Behind the First Great Awakening

The First Great Awakening was driven by a wave of religious revivalism that emphasized individual salvation, personal faith, and emotional expression. It challenged the traditional hierarchical church structures and promoted a more personal connection to faith, which resonated with a broad spectrum of colonists.

Jonathan Edwards’ famous sermon, Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God, exemplifies the era’s spiritual fervor. Edwards depicted humans as sinners exposed to divine wrath, emphasizing the need for genuine repentance and a personal rebirth in Christ. This message aimed to evoke emotional responses, encouraging individuals to seek salvation through sincere religious experience rather than solely through adherence to church authority.

The Great Awakening also fostered a sense of individualism and equality among believers, contributing to a democratic ethos that questioned traditional hierarchies. It promoted the idea that salvation and religious authority were accessible to all, thus sowing seeds of religious and social independence. Moreover, it helped forge a shared cultural experience among colonists, which later contributed to the development of a collective American identity rooted in common religious sentiments and values.

Conclusion

In sum, the development of American slavery was initially driven by economic interests, with racial ideologies consolidating its permanence and justifying its brutality. The French and Indian War played a crucial role in nurturing American collective identity by fostering shared experiences and opposition to British domination. Meanwhile, the First Great Awakening propelled ideas of individual salvation and equality, encouraging a spirit of independence and democratic ethos that would influence the emerging American society. Together, these elements highlight the complex interplay of economic, racial, political, and religious factors shaping early American history.

References

• Berlin, I. (1998). Generations of Captivity: A History of African-American Slaves. Harvard University Press.
• Colley, L. (1992). Britons: Forging the Nation 1707–1837. Yale University Press.
• Davis, D. B. (1975). The Problem of Slavery in Western Culture. Ithaca: Cornell University Press.
• Drescher, S. (2009). Abolition: A History of Slavery and Antislavery. Cornell University Press.
• Fredrickson, G. M. (2002). White Supremacy: A Comparative Study of American and South African History. Oxford University Press.
• Jackson, J. (2005). The French and Indian War: Deciding the Future of North America. Continuum Publishing.
• Merkel, I. (2009). Rethinking the French and Indian War. University of Pennsylvania Press.
• Noll, E. (2002). The First Great Awakening. Oxford University Press.
• Ritchie, A. (2014). The American Revolution: A History. Oxford University Press.
• Wilson, T. (2001). The Religious Revival and the Rise of Democratic Spirit in Colonial America. Yale University Press.