History – Final Exam Essay Sample

The history of the United States is a reflection of the way the republic developed from as early as the sixteenth century colonial beginnings to modern times. The first European explorers came with new ideas that went against the culture of the Native Americans. With the development of the nation came expansions from the west and the Atlantic Coast and Pacific oceans to the middle of North America. Additionally, the economy and the population of the United States expanded under the dramatic changes that brought various revolutions. The changes further brought with it a diverse population that ranged from Native Americans, Europeans, and African Americans. The idea of production became a reality with slavery and the laws changed according to the inhumane conditions of the slave trade. The early British and Spanish control of the New World created a powerful nation in the United States as the economy stands strong. Despite the struggles of the United States, the efforts to resolve the problems and shaped the United States into the twenty – first century.
The adverse conditions of the Native Americans led to numerous wars that became brutal as the natives fought against colonization. These conditions were recorded by many historians and Captain John Smith was no exception. In his interview with the leader of the Powhatan Indians, Captain Smith recorded the negative treatment of the Native Americans. Powhatan points to the constant deaths of his people over three generations and admits that there is a difference between War and Peace. He wishes for a better experience for his people but knows points out that the colonizers only seek to destroy their lands. While many historians portray the Indians as savages, Captain Smith and Pastorius saw the Indians as more than savages. Yet, there were those who reveled in treating the Native Americans as savages.
However, Captain Smith attempts to reassure the Indians that they only strive to bring peace through their actions even as the Native Americans resist the kindness of the European settlers. Nonetheless, the threat of the colonizers to the stability of the Native Americans culture led to a war that took the lives of many innocent victims. One can easily understand the fear that existed in the hearts of these natives as they stood to lose their culture and way of life. Nevertheless, in an effort to gain economic and political power one must seek to make changes that shake the very foundation of every society. The harsh reality is that the powerful United States grew out of the harsh changes that occurred in the past. Many modern-day scholars question the conditions under which the United States have become a power-house. In fact, one could question: were these harsh conditions justified? The truth is that in order for a nation to rise to political and economic power, every group in the society must work together to effect these changes.
Additionally, the Declaration of Pedro Naranjo of the Queres Nation formed the foundations of the resettling of the indigenous Pueblo people and made numerous attempts to convert them to Catholicism. The New Mexico people resisted the attempts of the Spanish colonizers and started a number of random resistances that ultimately led to the rebellions in 1680. These rebellions went against the Church and the Crown, but El Pope believed that the Indians should break the lands and increase cultivation of the land. While his motives suggest that the Indians go against all of the Christian teachings, the hard work of the Native Americans even for their selfish purposes led to the ultimate development of the United States. Similarly, the African Americans faced harsh conditions that led to the many revolts.
A number of other legislations came about because of the slavery that existed in the Northern and Southern states of America. Historians, such as Hugh Jones speaks about the reality that slavery was well established in the Chesapeake region and connects this idea to the beginnings of the African-American culture. Virginia started as a misguided business structure, but developed into one of the most lucrative business that emerged as economically strong tobacco industry. Although Jamestown failed in its first attempt as a permanent English settlement, the country prospered through the additional improvements.
The increase in slaves in Virginia and other southern states created a distinct structure of large and small landowners using African slaves to increase their economic wealth. Additionally, the Africans did not only bring with them their ability to endure harsh working conditions, but they brought their ability to speak good English and this impacted the customs, habits, and culture of the United States. The Mayflower Compact, which stemmed from the defiance of the non-Puritans, voyages of the non-Puritans helped to prefigure the United States Constitution. Furthermore, the laws of equality emerged from this constitution and form the foundations of the laws in modern times.
In concluding, the early history in America shows a collision of the West African, Native Americans, and the European culture in the United States. The Europeans discovered the United States and helped to shape the structure of law that exists in the United States. Although the enslavement and the conquest of the Europeans brought years of cultural interaction, it spelt disaster for the Native Americans and the Africans and triumph for the Europeans. Still, the hardships of slavery brought with the changes that were necessary for the present day America. The introduction of the cultivation of cotton, tobacco, sugarcane among others helped to build the economy of the United States. Therefore, many human rights movement lash out against the conditions of slavery, but the truth is that the introduction of slavery in the United States helped to shape the current policies and economy of the United States.