Bryan Baucom
American Civilization DBA
September 8, 2010
THE AMERICAN DREAM
In between the period of 1607 and 1763 the Europeans and Native American affected the emerging American identity in every aspect from cultural, economic, and religious standpoints. Though both cultural parties appear very different in a manner of dress, appearance, grammar, and respect for their leaders and environment, they are very much the same in way of a strong desire for unified and stable society. These two groups helped form what we know today as the American identity.
In a speech given by Powhatan, the Native American Chief, he summarized what would later become the American dream, “I am not so simple as not to know it is better to eat good meat, sleep comfortably, live quietly with my women and children, laugh and be merry…” (Document A) Through Native American and European interaction, the cultural ideal, the American dream, was created. The American dream, however, was two completely different ideas for both settling parties. The Europeans had a dream of conquering and settling land by the means for war through their political power and modern warfare. The Native American dream was sought after by encouraging peace, and living well by means of working together, living off the land, while raising a family.
From an economic stand point the Europeans and Native Americans had a different use of currency. Native Americans used beads, while Europeans used silver and gold. Thomas Morton from the New English Canaan stated the similarities of the different currencies,
“They have, and have a kinde of beads instead of money, to buy withall such things as they want, which they call Wampampeak [wampum]: and it is of two sorts, the one is white, the other is of a violet coloure. These are made of the shells of fish. The white with them is as silver with us; the other as our gould: and for these beads they buy and sell, not only amongst themselves, but even with us. We have used to sell them any of our commodities for this Wampumpeak, because we know we can have beaver againe of them for it: and these beads are currant [currency] in all the parts of New England, from one end of the coast to the other. . .” (Document E)
The trade system that was created by the European and Native American settlers helped shape the American identity by learning the importance of price contrasted with abundance. Though the Native Americans had gold, they used beads instead so their gold could be saved and used for greater purposes. Similarly today we don’t use our gold for convenience and to save on costs. The Europeans learned from the Native Americans by adopting their currency, by using common low price goods instead of expensive materials like gold and silver for the use of exchange.
A huge part of the American identity is based on the freedom of religion, which we use, and the many religions that make up America today. Although the Europeans tried to convert the Native Americans to Christianity, the Native Americans held strong to their religious cultures, ceremonies, and beliefs. This began centuries of religious freedom. A Huron Indian said to Jesuit missionary, Jean de Brebeuf, in 1635, “Do you not see that, as we inhabit a world so different from yours, there must be another heaven for us, and another road to reach it?” (Document F) Because of this, the American identity became an identity of religious tolerance.
From the years of 1607 to 1763 the American identity was formed. The cultural view of the American Dream, the economic system, and religious freedom we have today can be attributed to these two groups’ interactions. Two cultures that started out differently together formed a unified society which we enjoy today, and will continue to enjoy for many moons to come.
