The Importance Of Individualism In America

America has had a tumultuous existence, replete with war, progress, and ideologies. The most formidable of the latter is individualism: the shift of society’s focus from the group to the individual along with a growing emphasis on this individual’s personal needs and desires. Despite wide criticism, it has become the societal norm, spanning all generations, genders, races, and walks of life. Indeed, it is nearly inseparable from the country’s history, rising and falling over the decades as the United States shifts and evolves. Individualism is undeniably a constant factor within the fluctuation of America and has been since its very dawn (Gans 1).

In 1776, after a long and tedious war, the 13 United States of America successfully gained independence from their tyrannical British Monarchy; however, gaining independence was not the only change the states needed to survive after those draining times. Each of the 13 states wished to remain sovereign, taking steps alone in their best individual interest, which caused disjunction within the country. In 1777, the Continental Congress came together in order to resolve these issues and create a new, more unified nation. As a result, the Articles of Confederation were born, in an attempt for these states to act together and become a true unified nation. Unfortunately, this document was heavily flawed and too weak to form a successful central

How did this important document start? It all started back when the American Revolution encompassed two interrelated struggles, a colonial war for independence and a revolutionary struggle to change American government and society. Before 1787, the United States was not a strong government like today. Our national government was weak and each state operated as independent countries. During the American Revolution, congress felt the need for a stronger union, and a stronger government to defeat Great Britain.

Disobedience is a choice. Nothing forces an individual to disobey. Disobedience stems from a refusal to submit to authorities. The nation of America began as a refusal to submit to an overpowering government and a willingness to follow a government of their own authority. They decided to govern themselves because early Americans understood the importance of an individual in a society, which is why the Founding Fathers started the Constitution of the United States of America with “We the People.” the Foundering Fathers created an American identity based on the individual; an individual who will rebel against tyrannical authorities and who will willingly submit to a government that protects him and provides for him.

Fast tracking to the past, on June 21st, 1780 the constitution of the United States was ratified and the “nation” was born. Along with the controversies and difficulties of the ratification, many of the founding fathers had little belief that the constitution went far enough to limit the power of the federal government but most importantly, to protect the individual liberties of the people in America. The experiences of history were that a strong centralized government was a threat to freedom and prosperity, hence the establishment of the 10 amendments proposed by James Madison with the support of the author of the ‘Declaration of Independence’ Thomas Jefferson. The First Amendment The First Amendment in the Bill of Rights was created as a promise or an assurance of individual basic freedom. It is an essential ingredient of the Constitution, establishing and protecting the free press which means a prevention of censoring of the press by the government, mostly preventing the media to print anything from the word go especially if it aims exposing the governments’

Free Me: Racist Speech Freedom is a paradox, especially in America. Everyone is free, but everyone must obey laws. In 1776, America chose to fight against her oppressor. Rather than be a single colony, America became a separate country. Today as an adolescent, America faces a new uphill battle, free speech.

The ideas of Enlightenment thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu helped create the basis for the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and the creation of the government of the United States of America. John Locke’s philosophy of natural rights, like life, liberty, and property belonging to everyone, and Montesquieu’s philosophy of separation of powers, both influenced the rise of a state with no king when they declared their independence from the British in 1776, which was revolutionary and a radical idea since most countries were ruled by some kind of a monarchy during the early modern era. These philosophies were supported by human reason, unlike previous eras where ideals had been supported by religion, which is why they were thought to be so innovative and impressive. The American Revolution, fueled by Enlightenment ideals, later became an incentive for the French Revolution among other revolutionary movements challenging oppressive, widely accepted beliefs of

In addition, I learned that our democracy was from the stimulating British monarchy with a goal of equality for all. With this in mind, none of what we have today as Americans would have been possible without our government and nothing would remain possible without our successful government. I also learned the American Revolution was a revolt against aristocracy. Lastly, I had no idea how hard these brothers fought for a sovereign nation before I read this novel. I also learned that John Adams and Thomas Jefferson had a very tough relationship at the beginning of the Revolution.

“The American Dream” is and has been a fundamental part in forming the culture and social structure of the Americas, mostly North-America. The basis of its formation lies in the year 1848 when a great number of German lower class people fled Germany after the March Revolution; the working and middle class stood up to the autocracy of the German Empire but were fruitless in the revolution and in turn fled to America. Those people chose their destination, America, because of the social structure and political freedom. The Declaration of Independence states, that “Every man is born equal”, thus forms America into a republic with no privileged order, nationwide social equity and no prejudice towards its citizens. The term “American Dream” is a widespread term to describe the American way of life, but has yet to be coined as a term with an inflexible understanding, this means, “The American Dream” has a different meaning to every individual, although the basis remains the same for all.

The American Revolution is inarguably a founding event that led to the birth of the United States of America. It is a widely held belief among Americans that that the revolution is solely rooted from the colonists’ desire for independence from the tyrannical government of the British Empire and to create a nation based on the principles of freedom and equality. The American Revolution is commonly viewed as the courageous resistance of the colonies against the regime that oppressed them. Though the American Revolution was eventually united in the cause of liberation from the British regime, historical researchers believed that the cause of the revolution is more complex and deep-seated than this simplified version of the revolutionary struggle.

It gave national pride and created a closer union among the states and people. The Americans were not granted any further land and restrictions on trade were not ultimately lifted, but the country did begin a shift from the previously hierarchical society to a new dynamic self-governing culture. This war paved the way for the people to more freely express their right to govern. I believe historians see the importance for independence within the War of 1812 because looking back, we can see the developmental changes in the country following the war 's end. We see the changes in how the states govern themselves, and how they conduct business with other countries.

really wanted to gain independence from Great Britain. There were some people in the U.S. called loyalist that wanted to live under the tyranny of Great Britain and had no problems with the raising of taxes to support their country. The Patriots on the other hand were very much against all that the British stood for. The battle of Lexington and Concord, the battle of Trenton, and the battle of Yorktown were three key battles won by the U.S. that pushed the outcome of the war in the favor of the United States. The battle of Yorktown was the most significant it was the last major battle on land and with the surrender of Lord Charles Cornwallis it was very pivotal in the defeat of the British.

The people would now give the power to the the government they would consent if they agreed to what they were being taxed, restricted on, etc. Divine right had been around for decades, but the war completely changed everything. That shows the revolutionary war was truly revolutionary because the whole concept of a republic was foreign to the people, but yet they did it as they realized they wanted to have a say not listen to what the king has to

During the oppressive, tyrannical movements of the British Crown under King George III, the American Colonists felt succumbed to dictatorial leadership as rights were hijacked, taxes imposed, and laws enforced. Feeling persecuted by Great Britain, the colonists joined in the Continental Congress to express their beliefs as free people and penned the Declaration of Independence, by using the words of Philosophers of the Enlightenment. The leading consultants included Jean-Jacques Rousseau, Montesquieu, and John Locke. Contemplating happiness and equality while writing this critical script, and fighting against tyrannical movements, this fundamental document began a New World country and initially started the American Revolution. Tyrannical operations

Unit 1 Chapter 7 The Road to Revolution The Americans had troubles complying with the new British control after the Seven Years War; they wouldn’t pay necessary funds and also had a growing sense of national identity The Deep Roots of Revolution The Americans had a world that they could make their own, thus upraising nationalistic ideas Republicanism: citizens surrendered their selfish demands for the greater good Opposed aristocracy and monarchy ”Radical Whigs”: warned people to be aware of government corruption and to resist that corruption Americans had grown into a country accustomed to running it’s own affairs, so when the British came in 1763 to get a better hold over their colonies, Americans resisted The circumstances of colonial