James' History WebLog

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I commented on Lauren's Post,Jamison's Post, and Group 6's Group Post #2

#2 - The American Joke

         In the Mid to late 18th century a rise for a revolution instilled Americans with turmoil and resentment towards their superior counterpart, the British Empire.  The series of British Acts passed would eventually leave the American colonies directing a revolt for their independence.  The British believed that Americans were "selfish and self-interested, unconcerned with the welfare of the empire as a whole." [1] The British disregarded the American resistance and even took light of the situation by mocking the political activism of American women.  The British began expressing their political scorn towards patriotic American women in cartoons and artworks. The political cartoon, "Society of Patriotic Women, Edenton, North Carolina," emphasizes on three important ideas; the loss of femininity, responsibility, and family values for American Women during the American Revolution.

       An aspect of the cartoon is the unattractive portrayal of American women.  A woman in the front of the painting can be seen bending over and showing her large backside to the viewer.  This feature is unladylike and leaves the viewer with unpleasant thoughts on American women.  The cartoon showed women taking on men's role and participating in politics.  During the 18th century, as a part of the status quo for British ideology, women had limited rights that forbade them to govern in politics.  The idea of women contributing to law was absurd and unheard of according to the British, but in America, women were taking charge and helping their government.  Colonials were protesting and their upheaval brought much disruption to British rule.  In 1768 the Daughters of Liberty took part in protesting the Townshend Acts by wearing homespun clothes instead of English finery, served coffee instead of tea, and boycotted shops selling British goods [1].  Political cartoons, much like the "Society of Patriotic Women, Edenton, North Carolina," served as a medium for the British to express their disgust and disdain views on American women "

       The cartoonist continues to stress the idea that women lack the responsibilities to govern politics by exposing sex and alcohol in the artwork.  In the background of the drawing, a woman is seen drinking what is likely alcohol out of a bowl and another is holding a flask that contains it.  While the wom en in the background are drinking alcohol, a man in the front of the painting is seducing a woman working on a political document.  These features direct a misconception towards American women by making them appear corrupt and loose.  With the lack of being responsible women, the British began diminishing the integrity of Americans with various forms of artwork.  These artworks would serve as political propaganda permitting the British to take light of the American Revolution.

        In addition to the lack of women's responsibilities, the British believed the idea that family values in America were deteriorating.  The cartoon shows a baby sitting underneath a table, with a tray of food spilled in front of her.  There is also a dog present licking the baby's face and urinating on the floor beside her.  This unsanitary presence depicts the room being chaotic and unruly.  A woman's traditional duty was to care for her family and step out of politics.  The cartoonist strongly points out their belief that women in America were losing their moral values and respect for themselves.  Their contribution to politics is generating problems and disturbances for not only their government, but their families too.  The lack of control and dirty conditions of the room gives the British more reasons to disregard the American Revolution.

       The initial process of the American Revolution sparked little to no interest for the British authority.  The British dismissed them as a "discontented radical fringe."[1] Their mockery of American women consisted of the utmost absurd obscenities.  The physical, intellectual, and moral behaviors these women are demonstrating are in complete opposition to how civilized beings should behave.  The British believed that women lacked the right to participate in governmental politics.  This belief would only lead to an unexpected, undesired result where the desire for freedom and independence would instill strength and courage for the Americans.  This strength and courage could be found in every patriotic American and it was what allowed them to surmount over the most powerful European empire of the 18th century.

[1] Davidson, Gienapp, Heyrman, Lytle, & Stoff. (2006). Nation of Nations. Boston: McGraw-Hill. pg.124,130,136.

INDIVIDUAL TYPEPAD POST #1 - "Changes of Native American Creation Stories"

     The creation of the world has been a mystifying and argumentable debate ever since human beings have been thinking and communicating.  In this day of age, our society has been presented with many theories and stories from many religions.  The impact of religion has surely redefined our grasp of such theories.  This definitely pertains to the old Native American culture as well.  Europeans first gave sight to these people when Columbus first reached America in 1492.  Because of the impact of the Europeans on the Native Americans since they first arrived in the Americas, the Native American people have reshaped their perceptions of the beginning of the world.  As Christian beliefs were shared, the Native American creation stories have been modified by such beliefs as more influence of the Christian culture was presented to them.  This is shown from the creation stories of The New Netherlands (1650), the Ottawa Society (1720), and the Sioux (1935), which all increase in the value of Christian influence.

     The New Netherland Indians were one of the first that actually encountered the Europeans.  In their creation story, they believe that God and a beautiful woman were the first things of time.  After that, there was water everywhere and the beautiful woman created land.  They also believed that this woman gave birth to the creatures.  The first creatures that she gave labour to were a deer, a bear, and a wolf.  The New Netherland Indians believe that human beings were born with the nature of the attributes of either these 3 animals: either timid and innocent like the beer, brave like the bear, or deceitful like the wolves.  This is one of the earliest accounts of Native American Creation Stories.

     As time passes and the Native Americans have more confrontation with the Europeans, their stories change to their liking.  The Ottawa Society believed that the Earth first had animals, but that they all died.  From this, the Great Hare creates man from the corpses of these animals.  Christian influence is shown as they add in the story of Adam and Eve.  Their story tells of man being made first, and that man is scared of God.  This also relates to Adam and Eve as the Great Hare later gives man woman, and the Great Hare, substituting like God, explains the roles of man and woman together.

     Now in the 20th century, when Native Americans have been fully adapted to the culture of the Europeans, creation stories from the Indians have become even more parallel to Christian beliefs.  The Sioux Story depicts the world around Noah's Ark, and how there was a first world that was not pleasing to the creator.  Like Noah's Ark, the creator, or in this case the Creating Power, floods the Earth.  He makes the world again with animals as his tools and like the story of Noah's Ark, he states that there would be no more floods but warns of the people.  This story reflects the Christian creation story the most as these people have been around the Europeans the longest out of these three tribes.