Colonial identities
The idea behind these discussions is that it will serve as conversation. We all, having read and considered the same material, are expected to express our reasoned opinions, based in that reading, of the question at hand. In other words, simple Yes or No answers will not suffice. Yes and/or no does not advance discussion, of course. Instead, such responses tend to stifle it. Also, unsubstantiated opinion has no place in the study of history. While it may be true that everyone has a right to an opinion, none have a right to express it. Especially if it is not based in reality. And here, reality is based in verifiable sources such as the assigned readings and course materials, and anything else you might wish to bring in, and can properly cite and reference.
With that in mind, dig deeply into the material. At times I may ask how this stuff relates to our own time and that will require some independent thought, reasoning and, perhaps, some extra research. A good conversation might take us to a lot of times and places in fact, but work to focus on the time and place at hand as much as possible.
note that you are asked to explain, not simply describe. Description tells what happened, what was, it centers on nouns. Explanation asks for much more. It asks why things happened, why they took the shape they did, how they impacted people’s lives. It demands a lot more than simple description. So dig deep. And, in your responses to classmates, please don’t revert to simple posts. Complimenting someone on their work is a nice gesture, but each post–your original one and the two responses to classmates–requires new material, new ideas, so as to further advance the discussion.
Reply to each student according to the instructions above (1 paragraph should be sufficient) use 1 scholarly source for each response.
***Scholarly source – per APA Guidelines, only scholarly sources should be used in assignments. These include peer-reviewed publications, government reports, or sources written by a professional or scholar in the field. Wikipedia, Wikis, .com websites or blogs should not be used as anyone can add information to these sites. For the discussions, reputable internet sources such as websites by government agencies (.gov) and respected organizations (.org) can be counted as scholarly sources. Outside sources do not include assigned required readings.
- (student 1)
If given the choice of where to life during the colonial era, I would’ve prefer the middle colonies. New jersey for example, near the ocean, open ports, abundant and likely fertile land for farming etc. Besides the geographical conveniences, also the religious tolerance to at least more than one religion, were signs of a prosper and democratic society. “After the capture of New Netherland, James granted land that would become New Jersey to courtiers who attracted settlers by promising representation and religious toleration for all Protestants. One of these men, the Quaker William Penn, saw an unprecedented opportunity for creating a religious refuge for members of his faith and others persecuted for their religious beliefs”. (Keene, Cornell, & O’Donnell, 2013).
New Jersey was one of the pioneers of the paper money, placing it as a financial futuristic society, capable to handle commerce and transactions in a formal manner. “The New Jersey Assembly met in October 1723 to consider the need for paper money to cope with the scarcity of a proper internal medium of exchange suitable for increasingly large business transactions. This session was partly motivated by the establishment of a loan-office system in Pennsylvania in March and the fact that New York had recently distributed bills of credit. The governor signed a measure establishing New Jersey’s loan office on November 30, 1723.” (Rabushka, A. (2003). So it appears to me that during the colonial period, New Jersey was a colony led by individuals that aspired a prosper and competitive society.
- (student 2)
While it is almost impossible to imagine myself living in any of these areas during that time period, if I had to choose, I would choose the Mid-Atlantic. According to Keene, Cornell & O’Donnell (2013), “Philadelphia and New York became centers of commerce and finance” (p. 84). Their location gave them access to a wealth of opportunity through having access to their ports which allowed for trade with Europe, agricultural products, and manufacturing enterprises (Keene, Cornell & O’Donnell, 2013). This region also allowed for a higher education through several schools including what is now Columbia University, Princeton, University of Pennsylvania and Rutgers University (Keene, Cornell & O’Donnell, 2013). This is also to be an area that was known as ethnically diverse, which is something that appeals to me. I love the opportunity now of growing up in a “melting pot” or sorts, and I find that diversity is a necessary and wonderful part of life. According to ushistory.org, the Mid-Atlantic colonies, which was composed of NY, PA, NJ, and Delaware, included many different European ethnic groups including the Swedes, English, Scottish, Irish, Germans, Dutch, along with two different Native Americans groups, the Algonkian and Iroquois. These diverse groups brought about many different religions, which further diversified the area. Because of their location, in the middle of the north and the south, this area really had the best of both worlds, and allowed for great prosperity, and that is why, along with all other reasons listed above, I would choose the Mid-Atlantic colonies.
