The American dream is termed as the chance and freedom for all American citizens to attain their objectives of becoming rich and prominent. They believed that this would only be possible if they worked hard enough. The early settlers sought freedom of religion as they had been persecuted in their home countries because of their religious and political stand. The early settlers originated from Europe where the living conditions were pathetic. Therefore, they were optimistic about a better life in America. This led to a large number of migrants to America in search of a better life. The aim was to move from rags to riches in America. The cost of land in England was very expensive and John Smith used to tell settlers that they can have all the land they wished in America for free. The early settlers viewed America as a land opportunity that would enable them to become rich (Baym, Franklin and Gura 18).
Smith’s description of England and Bradford’s depiction of the plantations in Plymouth explains a lot about the early American settlers. John Smith tells of many golden opportunities in America. In most incidences, Smith exaggerates the possession the settlers would have in America. He did not tell the settlers of the difficulties they were going to face in moving from Europe to the land of honey that is America. John Smith’s main objective in describing his new world was to encourage the colonization of America by England. In his writings, he clearly stated both the problems and possibilities of colonization. He told that there was plenty of monetary gain in terms of industry as opposed to other writers who would write that in America there is plenty of gold. The benefits that could be realized from the colonization of America were clear to him. More interest in colonization was attracted by the fact that he had depicted the benefits of many resources and fertile resources would yield. Apart from talking of the wealth and other benefits he also cautioned people that only those possessing tough work ethic would survive challenges in America. He told people from England that they had to suffer and risk their lives in order to enjoy the benefits from phenomenal promise (Baym et al 19).
As opposed to Smith, William Bradford gives a two-sided story making historians believe that he was more accurate than smith. He had religious reasons for coming to America. Most of his writing included praises and thanksgiving to God for the wonders that He had done in their lives. The journey to America was full of miseries in which many people died. However God’s graces enabled such individuals as John Howland to make it alive. New Plymouth was an England colonial venture in North America. Plymouth holds a significant role in American history. People who were fleeing from religious persecution found Plymouth a suitable place for their religious worship. The communal and legal structure became closely related to their religious practices and the English custom. The Plymouth settlement became part of American folklore and the North American practices were referred to as thanksgiving and the sculpture known as Plymouth Rock (Baym 59).
The congregation was relieved from religious persecution as they had always wanted. The first thanksgiving took place in 1621. This ceremony was not known to the pilgrim until then. The ceremony was meant to praise and to thank God for good fortune. The thanksgiving of 1623 was to thank God for safe arrival of more colonists and supplies Religious practices involved full-day prayers and worship and probably little festivities. Up to date the event is commemorated in the United States at the end of the month of November every year. The congregation continued to thank God for major blessings like the successful voyage of Mayflower. Throughout 1621, Native Americans came to the Plymouth colony pledging for peace. Religious practices spread and every town in the Plymouth colony was considered as a single church. Religious acceptance in Plymouth was easy as individuals were only required to profess their faith in order to get the transformation. Social events like marriage could be presided over at the Plymouth colony, religious teaching was given to people of different ages. Initially marriages were not considered too religious and thus, needed no religious backing (Baym 62).
Columbus is an important person in the history of the Americans. He is considered to be the founder of the new world that is America. His efforts enabled the early settlers to find their way into America. He made a daring trip when he set to navigate for the Indies. On this trip, he was headed for the rough water and harsh weather, in addition to unfriendly crowds of people. His unpredictable journey ended up being one of the most successful voyages ever. He created new opportunities for the Europeans and Indians by finding the new world. The discovery of the new world enabled the spreading out of the population, making the living conditions better thus procreation of many people. The new world founded by Columbus was later called the United States of America. A new society was created in which many people left their old filthy towns and villages to occupy the new world. Jews fled to the united state to escape from Hitler and people flee Ireland during the potato famine (Baym 66).
Bradstreet was an American poet who influenced mostly puritans in her times. Her writings were based on politics, history theology and medicine, the writings inspired people to trust in God. When her personal library burnt out in a fire that destroyed her home, she nonetheless remained strong. This tragedy inspired a poem “upon the burning of our house July 10th, 1666”. Bradstreet rejected anger and sorrow which the worldly misery had caused her and instead trusted God and the promises of heavenly consolation. Her example shows that a Godly and learned woman could be raised to a senior position in the society. All those who despised women were proved wrong by her amazing writings. Much of her poetry is based on daily observation of the daily happenings in the world around her. The poems were based on religious and domestic subjects. One of the quotations which relate to the American dream is “I came to this country, where I found a new world and new manners at which my heart rose” (Baym 273).
The contributions of various scholars such as Columbus, smith and Bradford brought a new dawn to the early settlers. The desire for a prosperous life was realized the American dream led to the development of the cohesive American existence. All the above scholars made great contributions to the realization of the American dream. John Smith encouraged the colonialists by giving them ideas on how they could make it successfully. He clearly stated the cost to be paid by them in order to realize the benefits from the riches from the new world. He sought to colonize the new world; he achieved this by exploring the resources of the new world which could benefit him and his people. Bradford was more inclined on the religious issues; early settlers were persecuted because of their religious practices. His quest was to find a place where they could have freedom of worship, pray and give God thanks for His graces. The discovery of the Plymouth colony gave the worshippers a golden opportunity to worship their God. Ceremonies of thanksgiving were conducted, marriages were presided over in church and religious teachings spread out to many places. Columbus explored to discover the new world which later became the United States. The population was able to spread out giving opportunities for the production of more lives. Living conditions improved with the discovery of the new world, many people moved to enjoy the better living standards. Bradstreet inspired many people who were striving towards the achievement of the American dream. They were motivated to trust in God amidst many trials. Bradstreet was an encouragement to women who were mostly undermined by puritan men. She set an example that even women were capable of doing great things in society.
Works Cited
Baym, Nina, Franklin, Wayne and Gura, Philip. The Norton Anthology American Literature, Volume A: Beginnings to 1820. New York: W W Norton & Co Inc., 2007. Print.