National Identity Of America example essay topic

The Search For National Identity Nationalism is the attitude members of a nation have when they care about their national identity. Nationalism can also be the love of a country and the willingness to make sacrifices for it. Just as a person's identity is affected by other people and the events in their life, a nation is affected the same way. There have been many people and events that have affected the national identity of America.

There were two Awakenings that spread different aspects of American thought. The first Awakening brought a change in the style of preaching. The new style that took hold was passionate and fiery, characterized by preachers giving detailed descriptions of the fate of those headed to eternal punishment in hell. Jonathan Edwards was one of the leaders of the first Awakening. Edward's involvement in the Awakening started when he delivered a series of fiery sermons against Arminianism.

Those sermons told of eternal damnation of the people if they kept to their rebellious ways. (Berkin pg. 76), (RRAL pg 19) Charles Chauncy was the biggest opponent of the first Awakening. Chauncy's writings denounced Edwards and the awakening. (RRAL pg. 26) The Awakening was a counter to the Age of Enlightenment, in that it reaffirmed the thinking that the heart is greater than the mind, and that intellect cannot be relied upon. (Berkin pg. 75) Emotional revival meetings characterized the second Great Awakening in American. Those revival meetings would last for five days at a time.

Revival attendees would listen to preachers in the evening and study during the daytime. The meetings would draw up to twenty-five thousand people. (Berkin pg. 76) People didn't only come to here the preaching, they also came for social purposes. People got a chance to talk and trade with other people. This Awakening called for a return to God and Godly living. Church attendance increased during the Awakening.

Attempts to limit alcohol and abolish slavery also came as a result of the second Awakening, as did the rise of the American Bible Society. The Society sent out missionaries to spread the Word of God, and increase the distribution of Bibles. (RRAL pg. 60) In combination, these Awakenings increased the recognition of God's presence and the direction of individual lives, as well as the life of the Nation. Westward expansion has also dramatically influenced the shape of America today. Manifest Destiny was the popular term used in the 1840's to describe westward expansion. (Berkin pg. 255) The term destiny displays the thinking that there was a divine plan for the spread of American thought (predominated by belief in the Gospel) across the continent.

Thus, many missionaries were sent westward. There were a few factors that influenced the push west. Many artists influenced Manifest Destiny. The Hudson River School was a group of artists founded by the popular artist, Thomas Cole.

(Berkin pg. 238) The school painted beautiful works of art that depicted the wonderful landscape of the West. Since most people did not actually know what the West really looked like, they were influenced by the works of art by the Hudson River School. The art made the West look better than it actually was, and drew many unknowing people westward. The Oregon Trail was the path to get to Oregon. The Oregon Trail was a 2,500-mile stretch of land that settlers of the West traversed. The trail had branches that went to California and Utah.

The trail was very rugged and the weather was not always good. So many people died along the Oregon Trail that a grave could have been placed every 80 yards. The war with Mexico also expanded American territory. Zachary Taylor and Winfield Scott were two army leaders during that war. Taylor led the defeat of Mexico's Santa Anna at Buena Vista. (Berkin pg. 262) The victory made Taylor a hero in the eyes of Americans and led to his eventual presidency.

Scott was a leader of troops during the war with Mexico and the war of 1812. A major gain by America during the war with Mexico was the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo. The treaty gave America the territory that later became the states of Texas, California and New Mexico, in exchange for fifteen million dollars. (Berkin pg. 2630 People also traveled west for religious freedom and economic opportunities.

Brigham Young led the Mormon Church to Utah were they established a home away from some of the resistance they had faced in the East. (Berkin pg. 252) One can see the influence Manifest Destiny has had on America's identity as a nation that promotes people's freedom to live out their dreams, and have an adventurous spirit. Slavery was a stronghold in early America. I don't think that slavery itself had a positive influence on America's identity, but the abolishment of slavery did. Slaves were treated very poorly. Slavery was bad for the slaves because it was physically very hard on them, and the slaves never had their own identity.

The slave owners benefited from these extra field hands by being able to produce more goods to sell. Fredrick Douglass was a Maryland born slave who was able to escape slavery and live out a life of freedom. Douglass dedicated his life to the abolition of slavery. He wrote and spoke out against the institution of slavery. (RRAL pg. 101) Inventions like the cotton gin, invented by Eli Whitney, helped lessen the need for slaves, but did not completely end the practice. When slavery was prohibited, it caused a dramatic change in America.

America's identity was then enhanced with the notion that everyone is equal. The equality of people is prevalent in today's society. While the first and second Great Awakenings increased America's recognition of God's role in our Nation, Manifest Destiny motivated Americans to pursue their dreams and seek adventure, and the abolition of slavery enhanced the national belief in equality -- reminding us that no one person is better than any other person, the times that we are going through right now may be changing the way people, in one hundred years, will view America's identity. America's decisions do not only affect us in the here and now, but will affect the future citizens of America. That is why it is so important for Christians to vote and express their opinions. If we are to maintain our national Identity, we need leaders who value it, honor it, and have the integrity to protect it..