Alan Brinkley's View Of Exceptionalism In The United States
The history of every country is shaped by nationalistic pride and action. America is no different - its rich and celebrated history has been driven by American nationalism, which has brought the United States to where it is today. Nationalism is defined as patriotic feelings, principles, or efforts, and it can be exercised in many different ways - all of which have been seen in the history of the United States. Expressions of nationalism include advocating for the political independence of one’s country, opposing tyranny and oppression of one’s country, and believing one’s country to be superior to others- a belief known as exceptionalism. Americans’ nationalistic ideals and tendencies have driven the major conflicts and ideological movements
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that have led America to become the free and civil society it is today, founded upon the values of democracy and equality for all.
One example of American nationalism is leading up to the American Revolution. As established in the first paragraph, a form of nationalism is advocating political independence for one’s country, and believing that one’s country is neither tyrannical nor oppressive. In the case of the American Revolution, Americans believed that the British were both tyrannical and oppressive, and were fighting for their independence from them. This belief of the need to revolt against an autocratic nation united the nation and led to an increase in nationalism. In 1957, Hans Kohn argued that, “Nationalism is inconceivable without the ideas of popular sovereignty preceding.” This idea, in turn, led to the increase of nationalism in the early 1800s. Another factor that led to the growth of American Nationalism during the revolutionary period was the events of the French and Indian War.
The French and Indian war began out of imperial conflict between France and Britain. Before the war, there were many small conflicts between Britain and France in Europe, such as King William’s War in 1689, Queen Anne’s War in 1701 and King George’s War in 1744?. These conflicts between Britain and France created extreme tensions between British and French in America as well. Both French colonists and British colonists wanted control of the Ohio River Valley Region, and this led to Britain delcaring war on France in the Western hemisphere.
The Iroquois Confederacy, a group of 5 powerful tribal nations, lived in the Ohio River Valley. The french claimed the Ohio River Valley, and the English were expanding into it. Unfortunately for the Iroquois, their home would soon become a battleground. A chain of events led to increased tensions between the french and british in america, ultimately causing the French and Indian War.
First, the Iroquois began giving trade concessions to the British.
The French believed that the British were using these concessions to take over French territory in the Ohio River Valley. They built fortresses in the area to protect their land.
The English believed that these fortresses were going to be used to attack them, and began making their own military preparations.
This rapid increase in tension between the French and the British caused the governor of virginia to send george washington to oppose French expansion in the Ohio River valley five years later. Washington constructed Fort Necessity, and soon attacked the French. The French and Indian War had begun.However, when studying american nationalism, it is not what started the French and Indian war that is important. Instead, by focusing on the American’s view of the British during this time, the growing nationalistic ideas leading to the American Revolution are more apparent.
Alan Brinkley, “It forced them, for the first time, to act in concert agianst a common foe. The friction of 1756 -1757 over British requisition and impressment policies, and the 1758 return of authority to the colonial assemblies, established an important precedent in the minds of the colonists: it seemed to confirm the illegitimacy of English interference in local affairs”. (111) During the French and Indian war, for example, the colonists generally viewed the British as brutal, and were alarmed by the way that British generals treated their army. Furthermore, the French and Indian War was the first time that the colonies sought to
unite.
that have led America to become the free and civil society it is today, founded upon the values of democracy and equality for all.
One example of American nationalism is leading up to the American Revolution. As established in the first paragraph, a form of nationalism is advocating political independence for one’s country, and believing that one’s country is neither tyrannical nor oppressive. In the case of the American Revolution, Americans believed that the British were both tyrannical and oppressive, and were fighting for their independence from them. This belief of the need to revolt against an autocratic nation united the nation and led to an increase in nationalism. In 1957, Hans Kohn argued that, “Nationalism is inconceivable without the ideas of popular sovereignty preceding.” This idea, in turn, led to the increase of nationalism in the early 1800s. Another factor that led to the growth of American Nationalism during the revolutionary period was the events of the French and Indian War.
The French and Indian war began out of imperial conflict between France and Britain. Before the war, there were many small conflicts between Britain and France in Europe, such as King William’s War in 1689, Queen Anne’s War in 1701 and King George’s War in 1744?. These conflicts between Britain and France created extreme tensions between British and French in America as well. Both French colonists and British colonists wanted control of the Ohio River Valley Region, and this led to Britain delcaring war on France in the Western hemisphere.
The Iroquois Confederacy, a group of 5 powerful tribal nations, lived in the Ohio River Valley. The french claimed the Ohio River Valley, and the English were expanding into it. Unfortunately for the Iroquois, their home would soon become a battleground. A chain of events led to increased tensions between the french and british in america, ultimately causing the French and Indian War.
First, the Iroquois began giving trade concessions to the British.
The French believed that the British were using these concessions to take over French territory in the Ohio River Valley. They built fortresses in the area to protect their land.
The English believed that these fortresses were going to be used to attack them, and began making their own military preparations.
This rapid increase in tension between the French and the British caused the governor of virginia to send george washington to oppose French expansion in the Ohio River valley five years later. Washington constructed Fort Necessity, and soon attacked the French. The French and Indian War had begun.However, when studying american nationalism, it is not what started the French and Indian war that is important. Instead, by focusing on the American’s view of the British during this time, the growing nationalistic ideas leading to the American Revolution are more apparent.
Alan Brinkley, “It forced them, for the first time, to act in concert agianst a common foe. The friction of 1756 -1757 over British requisition and impressment policies, and the 1758 return of authority to the colonial assemblies, established an important precedent in the minds of the colonists: it seemed to confirm the illegitimacy of English interference in local affairs”. (111) During the French and Indian war, for example, the colonists generally viewed the British as brutal, and were alarmed by the way that British generals treated their army. Furthermore, the French and Indian War was the first time that the colonies sought to
unite.