Identity and Unity in Colonial America

The period spanning the seventeenth to mid-eighteenth century witnessed a diverse influx of groups and individuals who sailed across the Atlantic to settle in America. While the challenges of establishing themselves in this new environment were undeniably formidable, over time, America evolved into a more complex civilization, and its identity and unity underwent transformation. Although still under British rule, the colonists managed to forge a distinctive identity and a partial sense of unity as they progressed through this era. This essay delves into the factors that shaped the colonists' identity, including their egalitarianism, self-reliance, and environmental influences, while also examining the nuances of their unity and disunity as they approached the eve of the American Revolution.

Egalitarianism and Self-Reliance: Pillars of Identity

The colonists' identity was deeply rooted in their belief in egalitarianism and their self-reliant nature. Egalitarianism thrived due to the abundant land available, offering opportunities for land ownership to a broad spectrum of the population. In contrast to England, where voting rights were restricted, ordinary people in the colonies had the privilege to participate in the political process, thanks to their land ownership.

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This widespread land ownership minimized the creation of distinct social classes among the colonists, fostering a sense of equality.

Moreover, the colonists were compelled to create their communities from scratch, as they had limited initial supplies. This necessity gave rise to self-reliant and self-sufficient communities, which played a pivotal role in their eventual quest for independence. The resilience born out of these self-reliant communities became a defining trait of the American character.

The expansive American environment played a crucial role in inspiring people from diverse cultural backgrounds to embark on a fresh start. As St. John Crevecoeur Hector noted in his work, "Letters from an American Farmer," America attracted a mix of European descendants who, upon leaving behind their old prejudices and customs, embraced new ways of life. This environment, with its promise of opportunity and renewal, contributed significantly to the shaping of American identity.

Political Differences and Their Impact on Identity

The political landscape also played a pivotal role in shaping the colonists' identity. A growing divergence in political perspectives between the colonies and Great Britain heightened their sense of identity as distinct from that of their mother country. The Declaration for the Causes of Taking up Arms, drafted by the Continental Congress, underscored the colonists' desire to restore their previous relationship with Britain, highlighting their increasing unity as a colony. However, it also underscored the differences in governance that had emerged.

While the colonists yearned to revert to a time when their charters and privileges were sacrosanct and not subject to Parliamentary sovereignty, England's unexpected imposition of control through parliamentary supremacy caught them off guard. The ensuing disagreements revealed the growing disparity in their views on where political power should reside, as emphasized by Edmund Burke's observation that the colonists wished to be governed like English towns not represented in Parliament.

Although these differences existed, they did not deter the colonists from their unity in the face of external challenges. As Richard Henry Lee affirmed in 1774, the majority of North America had united firmly to defend their liberties against any external threat. The formation of the Association, a movement to boycott British goods, was a tangible manifestation of their unity. These boycotts and protests against British commerce galvanized the radical elements of society and reinforced their shared identity as colonists.

Additionally, the relief efforts extended to Boston in 1774 and 1775 during the enforcement of the Coercive Acts demonstrated the colonists' solidarity. Donations poured in from as far away as South Carolina and North Carolina to support Boston in its time of need, indicating that the colonists from distant colonies felt a sense of kinship and support for one another.

However, despite these signs of unity, loyalists like Cotton Mather persisted in their allegiance to traditional British methods. Cotton Mather's perspective, "They call me a brainless Tory; but tell me, my young friend, which is better, to be ruled by one tyrant three thousand miles away, or by three thousand tyrants not a mile away?" highlights the existence of loyalist sentiments among the colonists. These loyalists, along with neutralists, refrained from actively participating in the Revolution, revealing the persistent divisions within colonial society.

Conclusion

As the eve of the American Revolution approached, the colonists had developed a strong sense of identity, characterized by egalitarianism, self-reliance, and a growing awareness of their differences from Great Britain. While they did not achieve complete unity, as loyalist and neutralist sentiments persisted, their shared struggles and efforts to resist external oppression provided a unifying force that paved the way for the impending Revolution. The complex interplay of identity and unity in colonial America serves as a testament to the multifaceted nature of the nation's founding and its ongoing evolution.