American Colonialism

American Colonial & British Policy Viewpoints

The viewpoints and worldview ideologies of many respected citizens in the American Colonies were as mixed and formed as much of a melting point as the different types of people who settled there. Where Native Americans and religion are concerned, the views of John Heckewelder, Benjamin Franklin and Hector St. John de Crevecoeur show the different attitudes and perspectives of individuals with quite different backgrounds and beliefs. Heckewelder was pious Protestant Minister which accounts for his appreciation of the universal, natural values of goodwill, duty and reciprocity contained inherently in the ideology of the Native Americans. Within his description of the Native American viewpoint we see that the English (imperialistic, capitalistic and devoted to the concept of private property-even if it were stolen) would have made for a natural clash of ideologies upon meeting, "They think that he made the earth and all that it contains for the common good of mankind; when he stocked the country that he gave them with plenty of game, it was not for the benefit of a few, but of all. Every thing was given in common to the sons of men" (Unger 57). By converting Natives to the Christian faith in its abstract form there was nothing disrespectful on behalf of the actions of the English, but by using Christianity to rob them of their lands, fence in their property and kill all dissenters there was as much disrespec

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t. John de Crevecoeur, who writes about the unique toleration level apparent in America's colonies. He believes that as long as the actions of any particular religious sect are geared towards the work ethic of which Franklin might have approved, they have no reason to be attacked based on their personal beliefs. In other words, de Crevecoeur felt that beliefs should remain individual as long as the actions of individuals were community oriented. Only in this way will all individuals be allowed a unique personal freedom and identity that makes them an ally to the overall community, "Thus all sects are mixed as well as all nations; thus religious indifference is imperceptibly disseminated from one end of the continent to the other; which is at present one of the strongest characteristics of the Americans" (Unger 80). Today we struggle with these issues still, especially when it comes to religious, gender, sexual orientation and race tolerance. While we have become an ally to most nations worldwide, those that do not act to promote the values praised by de Crevecoeur bring shame to the concept of being an American. Thomas Jefferson was greatly influenced by the writings of John Locke and used concepts within them to help craft

Category: History - A