How race created opportunities and challenges to individuals living in the Atlantic Worlds
Native Americans were involved in exchanges in the form of beaver trading with Englishmen. The physical structure of beaver fur made it desirable. The depletion of European beavers in the 17th Century due to overhunting motivated the Englishmen’s exploration intentions of America (Thomas 3). In exchange, Indian intermediaries benefited from a variety of supplies to facilitate the trade.
Englishmen thus got an exclusive opportunity to source for raw materials in the form of beaver hides to satisfy the market demands in Europe. The natives, on the other hand, got access to a wide range of industrial products not in their reach before, such as biscuit cake (Thomas 3). Both parties in this from distinct races were beneficiaries of the trade in this case.
As Alibamo Mingo documents, British settlers provided an opportunity for native Americans (Indians) to participate in business by allowing them to sell bread to the British. The natives would, in turn, enable their women meet the settlers’ demands by supplying the food they ordered (Hakluyt 274). This was as a result of the peaceful co-existence between the two races allowing each to benefit from the other’s presence. Don't use plagiarised sources.Get your custom essay just from $11/page
Mingo appreciates the fact that the coming of the English provided an opportunity for the natives to access better housing. Previously Thomas Morton had likened the houses built by natives to those of the wild Irish (Carretta 458). From the gathering of poles in the woods to their placement in the ground in a circumference and covering them with mats, one gets a vivid image of their ancient lifestyle.
Olaudah Equiano described the middle passage of the transatlantic trade as one that allowed him and his fellow members of the black race to get wonderful opportunities to discover flying fishes. He also describes the chance he was afforded to interact with technology (Hakluyt 275). He notes that the mariners as a result of noticing his curiosity, allowed him to look through a quadrant, making him get a whole different perception of the world around him.
Challenges
Africans aboard ship in the transatlantic trade faced the difficulties of subjection to inhumane treatments. Equiano describes the harsh climate adding to the number in the ship that was already overcrowded that one barely had space to turn (Hakluyt 275). Lives were lost as a result, and on top of that, they were denied food in the middle of the voyage, despite the whites catching fish and having some for food, they would instead toss the remainder back to the sea than allow the Africans have some. At some point, some preferred death over the horrible experience on the ship, some willingly jumping over to the sea. Some were attempting the suicidal dives were even pursued by the marines, recaptured, and handed thorough beatings.
According to slave law, children inherited the status of their mother. The bill was ruthless in such a manner that children of white women were not spared. Attempts to seek an appeal of the law were met with absolute brute (Lilburne 31). The example of Rose Davis -a mixed-race daughter of a white woman who attempts to seek freedom resulting in her life sentence to slavery perfectly illustrates how challenging the matter was.
Mingo talks of his dejection at the point of punishments rendered to medal chiefs during the revolution ripped of their titles despite the many years served with dedication presenting a significant challenge to him (Noll 402). The French of the white race were victims of the revolution and their establishments being taken over by the English.
American Revolution, Constitution, and the Republican Nation Created
Abigail Adam’s letter to John Adams in 1776 was a revolutionary intention. Abigail envisioned an inclusive society where women would be respected as equal parties. The letter was considered a first private step in the fight for the equal rights of women (Pearson 31). The passing of the 19th amendment went a long way in stamping Abigail’s name on the books of history.
Mary Smith Cranch was also an advocate of women’s participation in politics. Her belief in the equal measure in which men and women responded to politics (Syrett 352). At the time when Americans had grown impatient to oppression. With the emphasis on the rejection of calls to compromise and adjustment to existing systems, her effort to encourage liberalism can far be considered in a significant way to have contributed to liberalism.
Cato, who famously referred to himself as a poor negro, successfully managed to persuade the assembly to uphold the anti-slavery act pointing out to the roles they played in the American wars. His determination to advocate for a lay that would instead consider hanging all blacks than allow the Pennsylvanian slaveholders to have their way (Lilburne 32). The slaveholders, on the other hand, were advocates of conservatism. Their intentions to have their slaves back for two more years emphasizes their stand of wanting to extend the ‘status quo.’
George Washington used his Farewell Address in 1796 to warn against what he thought to be the greatest threat to American prosperity: the spirit of political parties and geographical distinctions. He also cautioned against long-term alliances with other Countries (Washington 47). He intended to provide a guide for his successor and officeholders. It is a step viewed by many as conservative in that it did not embrace the possibility of liberalism and democracy.
Bostonian apprentices and artisans protested the operation of a British private Kilroy, striking the arm of an unarmed John Robert with a rifle. Riots began, leading to a retaliatory act by the apprentices dumping tea loaded to the chests of three ships docked at the Boston harbor (Buel and Labaree 255). The activity is recorded in the books of history as the Boston Tea Party. This act served as an encouragement to all liberal-minded people who believe not in the surrender of their interests. Emphasis was put on extending commercial relations with foreign nations and having as little political connection with them as possible, thus heeding to John Washington’s advice, hence conservatism.