The American political notions we practice today take root from early colonial times. Our political understanding had its genesis as early as the 17th century, which stemmed from the writings of intellectuals, such as John Winthrop and William Penn. Equipped with these convictions, both Winthrop and Penn brought about visions of how their respective colonies will be structured in the New World. John Winthrop wrote The Modell of Christian Charity as a platform to lead a group of Puritan refugees in the colony of Boston, Massachusetts. Also armed with his own political philosophies, William Penn’s Frame of Government of Pennsylvania constructed a settlement, which promoted religious liberty and individual conscience. Although the two founders wrote about varying principles, there were some parallels evident between their founding visions. Furthermore, by highlighting the outward distinctions and similarities of their visions, we can recognize the strengths and weaknesses of the two political structures. Ultimately, the explorations of these very elements aid in determining which community is more appealing to call home. In my case, the principle of individual …show more content…
conscience drew me to conclude that Pennsylvania would be the ideal colony to reside in. To begin, John Winthrop’s rhetoric in The Modell of Christian Charity began with the exclamation that God created humans with the lack of conformity. It was willed by God that human beings are diverse in order to act as stewards to one another and very much so to His other creations. He states, “being delighted to show forth the glory of his wisdom in the variety and difference of the creatures, and the glory of his power in ordering all these differences for the preservation and good of the whole” (John Winthrop: A Modell of Christian Charity). In other words, he views heterogeneity as an advantageous trait in a community for it fosters charity and goodwill to one another. Accordingly, he further emphasizes on this ideal of benevolence through what he called as the “Bonds of brotherly affection” (John Winthrop: A Modell of Christian Charity). Here, he stressed that compassion brings you closer to one another, allowing the formation of a tightly knit community. Moreover, as a member of this society, you have obligations to both the people of your church and other human beings. He wrote, “By the first of these lawes man as he was enabled soe withall is commanded to love his neighbour as himself” (John Winthrop: A Modell of Christian Charity). Undoubtedly, Winthrop’s discourse revolved around the creation of a community, which valued collective unity and solidarity. This was an integral principle to instill upon the Puritans, as they have embarked on a journey full of risks and uncertainties. God and their community as a whole were the foundation of the overall society and indispensable form of support in the New World. On the other hand, William Penn’s Frame of Government of Pennsylvania reflects the concept of a political structure maintained by individual consciousness and religious liberty.
Unlike Winthrop who called for shared cooperation, Penn upheld liberty of conscience and affirmed that no entity has the authority to rule over one’s consciousness. Specifically writing the law, “That, in all courts all persons of all persuasions may freely appear in their own way, and according to their own manners and there personally plead their own cause themselves” (Frame of Government of Pennsylvania). Certainly, he understood the individual’s right to his own thinking, even going as far as entrusting them to advocate for themselves in the court of law. Further, religious liberty also took root in
Pennsylvania. “That all persons living in this province, who confess and acknowledge the one Almighty and eternal God, to be the Creator, Upholder and Ruler of the world; and that hold themselves obliged in conscience to live peaceably and justly in civil society, shall, in no ways, be molested or prejudiced for their religious persuasion, or practice, in matters of faith and worship” (Frame of Government of Pennsylvania). As a member of the Quaker religion, Penn had direct understanding of maltreatment due to his beliefs. Therefore, this section from his piece upholds religious freedom as a law and highlights the acceptance of all religions, as long as they live in peace with one another.
John Proctor was a main character in Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible.” He was a farmer in Salem, Massachusetts in the 1600’s. He was put to death when he would not admit to practicing witchcraft. Minister Dimmesdale was a main character in Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter.” He fathered a child out of wedlock in a sinful relationship, and fell to his death when he couldn’t take the guilt any longer. John Proctor and Minister Dimmesdale had several things in common, but also had several differences.
There may not be two more contrasting characters of early America then Thomas Morton and John Winthrop. Morton was nicknamed, "Leader of Misrule" while Winthrop was seen as the "model of [a] perfect earthly ruler" (147). These two figures not only help settle a new land, they also had firsthand knowledge of each other. They are not two people that lived years apart from each other but rather they lived concurrently. With two such polarizing people living in a small new land, there was bound to be at least one disagreement. We are fortunate to have writings from each of these two fascinating men. One can't help but be thoroughly entertained when reading the words that each man left behind. Morton was the rebellious and raucous and Winthrop was the conservative preacher. Each had different ideas and ideals for what America was to become. Their two opinions could not differ much more from the other but they both weren't quite right. It seems that America has found a middle ground. Perhaps these two help set the path to where we stand now.
As the regions began to expand and develop, their motivations for settlement helped to mold their societies. New England was a place where men sought refuge from religious persecution and was established as a haven for religious refugees. Despite this reason for settling, the New Englanders still attempted to spread their own beliefs of religion. As illustrated by John Winthrop in his Model of a Christian Charity, he preached to his fellow colonists that “we shall be a city upon a hill” (Doc A) exemplifying the Puritans’ aspirations of a Holy Utopia. He and countless other New Englanders practiced the belief that they must all work together. They were determined to “mourn together, labor and suffer together, always having before our eyes our commission and community in the work.” The Articles of Agreement plainly laid out the basis for the New England region. These articles made New England a cosmopolitan mix of rich and poor families, all being in possession of land and resolute in doing God’s work (Doc D). However, while the New Englanders settled to create a Holy Utopia, the people of the Chesapeake were concerned not only with their religious freedom, but also ...
In the book Founding Brothers by Joseph Ellis, the author relates the stories of six crucial historic events that manage to capture the flavor and fervor of the revolutionary generation and its great leaders. While each chapter or story can be read separately and completely understood, they do relate to a broader common theme. One of Ellis' main purposes in writing the book was to illustrate the early stages and tribulations of the American government and its system through his use of well blended stories. The idea that a republican government of this nature was completely unprecedented is emphasized through out the book. Ellis discusses the unique problems that the revolutionary generation experienced as a result of governing under the new concept of a democracy. These problems included- the interpretation of constitutional powers, the regulation of governmental power through checks and balances, the first presidential elections, the surprising emergence of political parties, states rights vs. federal authority, and the issue of slavery in a otherwise free society. Ellis dives even deeper into the subject by exposing the readers to true insight of the major players of the founding generation. The book attempts to capture the ideals of the early revolutionary generation leaders and their conflicting political viewpoints. The personalities of Hamilton, Burr, Adams, Washington, Madison, and Jefferson are presented in great detail. Ellis exposes the reality of the internal and partisan conflict endured by each of these figures in relation to each other. Ellis emphasizes that despite these difficult hurdles, the young American nation survived its early stages because of its great collection of charismatic leaders and their ability to ...
In today’s society, American citizens tend to believe that America has been, “American” since the day that Christopher Columbus set foot in the Bahamas. This is a myth that has been in our society for a multitude of years now. In A New England Town by Kenneth A. Lockridge, he proves that America was not always democratic. Additionally, he proves that America has not always been “American”, by presenting the town of Dedham in 1635. Lockridge presents this town through the course of over one hundred years, in that time many changes happened as it made its way to a type of democracy.
There were a myriad of differences between Great Britain and her American colonies in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, but these differences can be divided into three basic categories: economic, social, and political. The original American settlers came to the colonies for varied reasons, but a common trait among these settlers was that they still considered themselves British subjects. However, as time passed, the colonists grew disenfranchised from England. Separated from the king by three thousand miles and living in a primitive environment where obtaining simple necessities was a struggle, pragmatism became the common thread throughout all daily life in the colonies. It was this pragmatism that led the colonists to create their own society with a unique culture and system of economics and politics.
The essay under critical analysis is entitled, “Philadelphia’s Radical Caucus That Propelled Pennsylvania to Independence and Democracy,” written by Gary B. Nash. This analytical essay consumes the fourth chapter of the book Revolutionary Founders: Rebels, Radicals, and Reformers in the Making of the Nation, edited by Alfred F. Young, Gary B. Nash, and Ray Raphael. His essay, along with the twenty-one other accounts in the book depicting lesser-known individuals, whose contributions in securing independence from Great Britain and creating a new government in America rival that of the nation’s more notorious and beloved founders, such as Thomas Jefferson or James Madison. Dr. Nash focuses his efforts on Philadelphia’s Radical Caucus of the 1770’s and 80’s and the lasting influences of the 1776 constitution it created within American politics as well as several nations around the world. Within his analysis and interpretation of Pennsylvanian politics during the American Revolution, Dr. Nash utilizes a pro-whiggish, radically sympathetic stance to assert the Radical Caucus’ remarkable ability to gain support from and bestow power upon the common working man, take political power from conservatives within Pennsylvania’s public offices, and revolutionize democratic thought through their landmark reformations of the state’s constitution. Respecting the fact that Dr. Nash’s position on this subject required extensive research through first hand accounts, pamphlets, newspapers and the analysis of countless preserved records, indicates that the account he has given is very credible. Complying with his presentation of facts and the significance of the topic within early American history has prevented a well-rounded counter-argument ...
Mankind can be conceived in interesting ways by analyzing the writings of John Smith and John Winthrop. As I read through John Smith‘s “A Description of New England” and John Winthrop’s “A Model of Christian Charity,” it became evident to me that the two readings had similar and different viewpoints of the essential nature of man. Throughout my paper, I will compare their similar beliefs of community and diversity of people and completely contrast their ideas of emphasis on religion and relationships with enemies.
During the 17th century, many Puritans set sail for New England in order to escape religious persecution and re-create an English society that was accepting of the Puritan faith. John Winthrop, an educated lawyer from England who later became governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, was one of the first in North America to advocate Puritan ideals and lifestyle. Winthrop delivered his sermon A Model of Christian Charity, in hopes of encouraging his shipmates to establish a truly spiritual community abroad. Almost fifty years later, a Puritan named Mary Rowlandson, daughter of a wealthy landowner and wife of a minister, wrote A Narrative of the Captivity and Restoration of Mrs. Mary Rowlandson, describing her 11-week captivity by native Indians after an attack on Lancaster. Rowlandson recounts her story with heroism and appreciation for God. Although John Winthrop and Mary Rowlandson were in entirely different situations when composing their literary works, both writings reflect many of the same ideals that characterize the Puritan mind, such as the belief in God's mercy, the acceptance of one's condition in life, and the importance of a strong community.
Winthrop was a wealthy English puritan lawyer and one of the leading figures in the founding of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. He presented twofold liberty. Which are: the natural and the civil or liberal. Thus, to explain his understanding of liberty, Winthrop used an analogy to the status of women within the family to explain his understanding of liberty. Winthrop used women as a good example of how women as humans, behave well and not do evil things to have a nice family and a well lived life. Winthrop considered woman status in the family as an example of liberty, he meant to say that a woman position is family is like a good homemaker, where she expects by all rules, maintains discipline, follow the rules, and customs made by society and
Second, The Frame of Government summarizes William Penn’s idea of the “holy experiment” as a colony which grants religious toleration, represents the freemen, imposes the foundational human rights, and strives for the free economic development. According to William, although this is a challenging experiment, only good men can come together and form a government
Born into the ruling class, he embraced egalitarianism. He lived in style and in debt while claiming to be in search of the simple life. According to Peter Thompson’s article, "William Penn," “Penn devoted more intellectual energy to understanding the role of colonies and devising equitable frames of government for them than any other colonial leader” (The English Historical Review). In 1984, more than 300 years after the founding of Pennsylvania, the United States Congress posthumously granted Penn U.S.
John Winthrop founded the colony of Massachusetts Bay in 1630, where he was the first Governor of the colony, a position he held for twenty years. In April, 1630, aboard the ship Arbella, he led a large party from England for the new world to establish a pure Christian based colony. "They hoped to establish communities of pure Christians who collectively swore a covenant with God that would they work for his ends, knowing that in return, He would watch over them".
The ideology of Edmund Burke and John Stuart Mill were some very widely known and very well accredited philosophers that influenced a large majority of the people and how they thought about certain things. Edmund Burke has been seen as the father of conservatism, (Harris, 2010) which is the belief in the value of established and traditional practices in politics and society. (Merriam-Webster, 2013) Second, were his thoughts and concerns about the religious aspects of society, and how if we have too many it could lead to problems. On the other hand there is John Stuart Mill who believed in the ideology of liberty, which was one that suggests that absolute power for the state is not the correct path to follow, but that individual freedom is. Additionally Mill has been known as a great believer in utilitarianism as well as a follower and fan of Jeremy Bentham, therefore his thought was the belief that a morally good action is one that helps the greatest number of people. (Merriam-Webster, 2013)
...ter returning from a trip to England, however, Penn found that a Quaker had been embezzling money. After a brief argument and difficulty, the problem was settled.