The United States is known for offering many opportunities for those who live, or want to live, there. Many around the world see this country as a country full of careers, wealth and a fresh start.
In the last decade, it seems that the "Land of the Free" has been in hot water with not only other countries around the world, but with its own citizens. Let's take a look at the short history of this young country and how its reputation has evolved over the years.
the beginning
The interest in exploring North America's "undiscovered" plains began in the mid-16th century. But before many got permanent housing in America, there were many failed ventures.
From the 16th century, the Spaniards enjoyed what this continent had to offer. In 1526, the Spanish explorer Lucas Vazquez de Ayllon made the trip to America, making him the first registrar to do so. To claim the land of Carolina, de Ayllon brought the first slave-bound Africans to North America. But with the travelers came many diseases that caused a number of deaths.
The first recorded settlement in America was made decades later, in 1565. Another Spanish explorer, Pedro Menendez de Aviles, was given a permanent place in St. Augustine, Florida.
England's role in America's establishment
After this Spanish exploration and settlement came the English. Sir Humphrey Gilbert was the first Englishman to be allowed to travel by Queen Elizabeth in 1578. On his voyage in 1583, however, Gilbert left the voyage and was lost at sea. The following year, his relative, Walter Raleigh, traveled down the coast of North America. In 1585, Queen Elizabeth ("The Virgin Queen") gave Raleigh permission to name a built Virginia after her.
Later that year, Richard Grenville led an exploration of Roanoke Island, leaving men to return for supplies. When he returned after a delay caused by the war, the civilians were gone without a trace. Many people today still theorize where they could have gone, making this exploration one of the many mysteries of American history.
Settlement trees
While many of the first explorations of America were considered wrong, after Walter Raleigh's successful settlement in Virginia, many developed interests in that particular area. Two ships sailed off the East American coast. After reaching Maine, many explorers lost hope and returned to England. However, in May 1607, Raleigh Gilbert founded the infamous Jamestown.
Several English settlers arrived in Jamestown in 1609. However, due to illness, scarcity, and conflict with the indigenous people caused by the colonists, many were ready to return to their homeland. Despite this, several ships came from England to relieve the weary. On board was the colony's new governor, Sir Thomas Dale, who introduced the first strict laws in America, called "Laws, Divine, Moral, and Martial."
Colonial setbacks
The colony expanded greatly over the next few years, as the Virginia Company offered 50 acres to any man who could pay for their journey. Those who could not pay came as contract servants. They had to work to pay their travel expenses. Several slave-bound Africans were sent over, and soon the population of Jamestown reached nearly 30,000 18. After nearly tripling in the early XNUMX century, the first government officials moved from Jamestown to Williamsburg, dissolving the popular city.
Despite the great discoveries that were made, there were many abuses of what North America had to offer at that time. Apart from the land that was stolen and rediscovered, the indigenous people who lived there were largely abused by the colonists. Looted, raped, enslaved and murdered. This has caused an extreme rift between the indigenous people and the Europeans that will last until the end of time, and rightly so.
Leaving England and The Mayflower Voyage
During the rise of Jamestown came the rise of another colony. In England, a new group referred to as separatists expressed strong views against the church. In order to freely practice their own religion, a London-based company agreed to finance their travels to North America. The colonists sailed on a ship known as the Mayflower, and reached Plymouth after a long voyage. After many settlers died through the winter, natives who lived nearby saw their desperation and taught them to survive from the land.
This is what many people today will consider the first Thanksgiving. However, it is important to note the deep untruths that are wormed in this story we learned in elementary school. According to David Silverman's This Country Is Their Land:The Wampanoag Indians, The Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving , the beginning of the relationship between the Plymouth Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe was accurate for the most part, as when they arrived sachem or Chief Ousamequin, offered a treaty to keep the country peaceful.
Additional Mayflower details
Despite the written agreement between the two, this treaty was on unstable ground for the next 50 years. The pilgrims spent those years trampling on it, expanding lands, raping indigenous peoples and forcing their faith in them. Eventually, this tension caused a terrible war, known as both the Great Narragansett War and King Philip's War. The Wampanoag tribe faced extreme damage that would last forever. Today, people from the Wampanoag tribe see Thanksgiving as a day of mourning instead of a day of gratitude.
Reputation and The Great Awakening
Over the next century, exploration of America became increasingly common. Many left Europe and other countries to escape persecution, freely practice and preach religion, and discover new exports. For individuals in Europe, America became "the land of opportunity." It would hold on to that reputation for a very long time.
During this time, explorers established settlements in what is now New Hampshire, Albany, New Jersey, and many others. Colonies came from all over the perimeter of North America. Whether it is the Caribbean, different parts of Europe, or slaves from Africa taken from their homeland. Despite the need for royal approval to travel in the beginning, the concept of moving west became more of an informal business.
With the introduction of newcomers to American territory also came new diseases to which the indigenous people had not previously been exposed. This resulted in many deaths caused by plagues in the nearby tribes. Despite many drugs under development in the early 17th century, typical indigenous tribes had no access to them, nor did slave-bound Africans sold here.
Great Awakening and Departing England
New trade developments began, with exports such as timber and fishing growing in popularity. Businesses were developed by many men who aimed to start trading overseas. Start-ups such as the Virginia Tobacco Company were established in 1606, along with the Massachusetts Bay Company later in 1629. Although many left places like England to escape their dominant grip, trade was an important industry that no one could resist.
With these possibilities came another; the freedom to practice religion. Religious persecution in countries such as England was severe and harsh. In the 18th century, several colonies moved west to establish religion-driven cities. Places like Maryland became a haven for the Catholic and Protestant communities. This became known to many later as "The Great Awakening."
The British enter
While relations between the American colonies and England were civil for many years, the tension that grew between them was inevitable. While several Englishmen left to escape their strict laws, the homeland managed to keep its hand in their lives for a long time.
Tensions grew enormously in 1763 when Britain established the Great Declaration. This forbade any further expansion in the west, while at the same time forbidding others still in England from traveling to the colonies. Regardless of this harsh law, many ignored it and expanded as they wished. The next decade, however, proved to be very difficult for the young colonies. Laws regulating the tax on stamps, sugar and currency were put in place by the English within 5 years. This made trade and life in general almost impossible for those in America.
Many Americans condemned the various actions, sending delegates to England to settle matters concerning them. After various actions and much irritation caused by Britain, the Continental Congress formed in the colonies began to discuss their thoughts on British intervention. After many attempts at compromise made by both the British and the colonists, the talk had been in vain.
Several outbreaks and fights began on American soil. One of the most notorious was the Boston Tea Party. When three ships set sail for Boston with chests full of tea, civilians attacked them and threw away the products. This set a goal on the backs of the Massachusetts, and England regarded them as the center of the uprising. On April 19, 1775, the American Revolution began. It should last until the following year.
A new country
After months of tireless war between the colonies and England, the civilians agreed that they were tired of British intervention. In May 1776, the United States Congress convened and drafted a constitution to replace the English charters that were put in place.
Later in June, a member of the Virginia Assembly, Richard Henry Lee, appeared before Congress and declared that they would become independent from England. A committee was set up by Congress to write the Declaration of Independence, and on July 4, 1776, America gained its independence.
How a reputation can develop
Since independence in the 18th century, much has happened in the United States. New laws, wars, presidents and states were established. Along with this development in recent centuries, there is one thing that has experienced great change; America's reputation.
From the very beginning, many traveled to the "new world" for various reasons. Land, gold, religious freedom, the list goes on for miles. Because America was considered "undiscovered" by Europe, it became known as the "land of opportunity" by many. Make it a nice place to settle down.
For those who remained in Europe, America was seen as exotic, unknown, and most importantly, a blank slate. After his independence saw many many reasons to go there and discover a new life. Today, the reputation remains in the eyes of individuals facing persecution in their own countries. However, it has been challenged.
Perception in the last century
In the last century, the United States has faced many difficulties. It sure is, but it has also placed those around them in the same position. Whether it is through war, abominable leaders or racial stereotypes. It seems that many are beginning to see the United States quite differently than before.
"American Dream" or "American Nightmare"?
A good reason for America's negative reputation comes from the constant suffering it has caused many cultures. From its incipient inhabitants, the indigenous people.
From the beginning, the people living in America have met nothing but negative treatment from explorers and settlers from all over Europe. By looking at them not as civilians, but as less than, many of the first humans were enslaved, raped, or even killed for no real reason.
In modern times you would think that indigenous peoples would get better treatment, as it is well known to everyone how they have suffered a lot over the years. But despite this, indigenous Americans have been driven from their land, crammed into reserves and silenced by those in power. Although many have been able to make their voices heard, with spokesmen such as Audra Simpson and Nathan Phillips, nothing can replace what Europeans have done.
America's Modern Nightmare continues
From then on came the enslaved Africans, brought from their homeland by force from the English and the Spaniards. When the black society faces tiring and exhausting work for centuries to come, it has, whether from Africa or not, encountered relentless negativity.
Although many, including myself, cannot imagine the realities of what black society has gone through, the injustices still happen today. Constant examples of obvious racism are shown through police brutality, refusal of medical care and prejudice against civilians. Because of world leaders elected by the former president in 2016, it is valid to ask, when will racial injustice end?
Another country's perspective
Despite the many cultures living in America, there have been many stereotypes about how the true American behaves. Through the lens of the cinema screen, and even through the eyes of ordinary people.
According to sources such as CBS News, there are some good and bad traits associated with the American blood population. From an overall perspective, other cultures view Americans as overweight, greedy, rude, and uneducated. Eat cheeseburgers, shop in giant malls and watch TV all the time.
While this may seem offensive and incorrect when dealing with the entire American race, it is reasonable to assume that some cultures have prejudices against them, since they may have received the same treatment.
the conclusion
Interestingly, some countries have positive opinions about a large country. Many who work as servers and waiters in places like France and Italy have claimed that Americans are generous tiptoes, polite and very rewarding. Many people still envy those who live in America, as it really offers a bit more freedom than in third world countries and Latin America.
Because of the gruesome regulations and decisions made by the leaders of this country, many have begun to realize that America is not about freedom as they claim. With rights being taken away every day and other unjust laws remaining in place due to opinions in power, those around the United States have revoked their moral support. This raises questions. What will those responsible do to change this?