Reconstruction Era

        American history beginning from the foundations to the Reconstruction Era is filled with numerous events that helped form our idea of American society and helped developed the sense of American attitude. Although many misconceptions are conceived about America, there’s one stereotype that is true; that America is persistent in its need for innovation. From the colonial period to modern times, America has always embraced adversity and always found a way to get through it. When we think about the important issues regarding early American history, we find that there are about three principal themes which include, sovereignty of rights, the religious movements and last but not least our need for the traditional American image.

Beginning with the British monarchy, America has always fought for its rights. While colonists did in fact oblige to British laws initially, they began to become rebellious following taxes and acts which they felt were taxation without representation. Shortly after the Intolerable Acts and immediately following Lexington and Concorde, the fight for American independence was on. After a few years of up and down battle, victory was granted at the expense of the British. A declaration of Independence was written and a nation was born. A nation that granted liberties to all people. Ironically this did not include African Americans and pulled them deeper into the slavery pulpit. For another hundred years, people were fighting to abolish slavery and bring about liberties to all people. Abraham Lincoln made this a reality when he declared all slave were free with the Emancipation Proclamation. This of course did not sit well with southern states which caused succession and a bloody Civil War. However despite the conflict, freedom was granted to former slaves, further promoting America’s notion of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Women’s suffrage continued to be neglected until the early eighteenth century and beyond. Feminism began to gain traction following the Seneca Falls Convention of 1830. Women began to protest and petition. By becoming recognized in political affairs, their voice finally became united. Women continued to fight for equality all the way up to 19th century. Their fight was not in vain, women were granted the right to vote along with many other rights previously unknown.

        Religion has always been and still is a major factor in American society. In fact, religion was a major driving factor for the migration of many Europeans to early America. The Puritans are a great example of proof. To escape persecution in their homeland in Europe, they traveled to America. With strict guidelines and little room for error, they established one of the earliest religious establishments in the early American colonies. As an offspring of the Calvinists, they sincerely believed in predestination and practiced strict religious routines to ensure to their continuality. However with these strict norms came misunderstandings, which led to the Salem Witch Trials and the eventual fallout for their society. The Second Great Awakening is another prime example of how America has relied heavily on religion to label its identity. During this “Awakening” lower class citizens found a new sense of belonging. Previous teaching were often to hard to understand and interpret. However with the newly founded churches such as the Mormons and Baptists, people with little to no education found relativity. They could related to teachings and worship songs. This revival of American spirit brought a new meaning of life for many Americans and once again proved how American culture has always depended on religion one way of another.

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