Dbq Simple Life

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Recommended: Impact of colonization in America

The simple life was a concept American colonists attempted to execute over the course of the countries creation. Simple living between 1630 and 1830 was focused on plain living, self reliance, despising luxury, and religious responsibility. Being able to live simply was held with great regard. Across the colonies people were expected to put pious living before all other aspects of life. Although the concept of the simple life was viewed as the highest accomplishment a person could achieve, it was unable to take root in the American colonies. The simple life faced many obstructions during its development. Economic advancement possibilities and social change were the two largest and most consistent factors in America’s evolving society …show more content…

Traditionalist wanted the new country to break away from their material based ways in order to prevent the fall of the republic, because of their knowledge from the Romans. Others however, felt that expecting a newly formed country to have a moral revolution was far too much. They felt that the lack of the English influence would allow the people to grow and leave behind materialism with time. Those opposed to the traditionalist also felt the imposing of institutions, for example public schools, to promote republican virtues would also allow for moral growth. Public schools were the most prominent organization used as an example to increase republican virtues. They were to enlighten all who attended in literacy and other basic skills so that voters would be informed rather than causing mobocracy. Schools would also regulate the values taught to the youth, especially those related to materialism to make sure all Americans would be effective in contributing to society and supporting simple living. Although the country was formed under the Articles of Confederation, the Founding Fathers quickly found that having a loose confederacy was not effective in binding a country, or making sure all those included in the country were living by republican values. This realization led to the creation of the Constitution. The Constitution would regulate America in all ways to commit to simple living. With the Constitution those in charge would be the best of the population, knowledgeable and republican. Alexander Hamilton even brought ideas of how to regulate the economy and trade to improve the country, however they did not support the simple living ideals most wanted to follow. Hamilton thought that living luxuriously would strengthen the government because the standard of living would be higher, giving the people a sense of purpose because they were always striving for more. This

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