Introduction
Historical events had a great impact on the self-identity of the nation and its cultural values. Capitalism and labor relations were the main factors that determined American identity and relations between people and the world. As part of the cultural conditioning process, society imparts and enforces ethnocentric values and beliefs on its citizens through the programs, policies, practices, structures, and institutions of the society. Thesis American identity was shaped by capitalist elations and accumulation of wealth as the only possible tools to conquer the continent and prosper in foreign lands.
Main text
The end of the 16th century was a period of French and British colonization. The aim of colonization was occupation of new lands and new ways of wealth accumulation for France and Britain. The colonists exterminated Native Americans and exploited their natural and human resources. The ultimate hope was that these early immigrants would forge a new national identity in which there would exist a shared language, culture, and history. As the many groups began to coalesce, a general American culture began to emerge, which served as a reference point for immigrants and their children: the middle-class cultural patterns of largely Protestant, Anglo-Saxon, and White ethnics from European countries (Britain, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and so forth) (Galbraith 23).
Slavery was the main institution of capitalism aimed to increase profits and revenues. The New World plantation, appearing historically with the rise of world markets, resembles in some ways the Old World manor. The New World plantation developed in areas of accessible markets: along coastal regions, inland waterways, archipelagoes, and sea islands, locations from which staples could reach foreign markets. The plantation was an instrument in the growth of trade and industrial development, and can be viewed as a frontier region in the world community. The frontier, in this sense, is an area “toward which capital and management move” and from which “products are swept into world markets” (Zinn 158). Since labor is the first requisite for the plantation system, laborers must necessarily be imported if the native population cannot successfully supply the laboring force, or if there is a labor shortage. Bacon’s rebellion (1676) was an opposition against aggressive policies provided by governor of Jamestown towards Native Americans. This rebellion shows new consciousness and self-identification of the American nation and new values (Zinn 154).
Indian history during this period encountered evidence that western vested interests sought and often obtained Indian property, blocked needed protections, and dictated the activities of the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The main object of westerners’ interest in Indian affairs centered on gaining Indian resources — land, minerals, water, timber, labor, etc. It changed from a region primarily devoted to farming, ranching, and production of raw or semi-processed goods to a mixed economy that fostered urban and industrial development. Obviously this transition led to a shift in what Indian resources whites regarded as valuable, but, more importantly, it changed the Indians’ economic environment and created new opportunities and problems both on and off reservations (Zinn 151). The Civil War era and the Louisiana Purchase (1803) changed social and territorial landscape proving that the American state valued wealth accumulation and power, authority and control in all spheres of life.
Although most White immigrant groups were confronted with prejudice and oppression when first arriving in America, their experiences in the United States have been qualitatively different from the experiences of non-White people. In a significant way, European immigrants over the past century and racial minorities face opposite cultural problems. The new Europeans were seen as not “American” enough, and they were pressured to give up their strange and threatening ways and assimilate. Although it might have taken several generations, the offspring that were successful in this process could usually expect to become accepted citizens. African Americans, Asian Americans, and Latino Americans were second-class Americans. They were seldom welcomed and were told to “stay in your place” and were not allowed into the mainstream culture of the privileged, even when “fully acculturated.” The beginning of the 18th century was marked by contradictions between Britain and the US and rejection of the merchants and the state to pay taxes to the British Crown. Further the Monroe doctrines prohibited colonization of America by European nations. Capitalist relations shaped national identity and determine relations between men. For instance, no man had a right to vote if he was not wealthy enough (Galbraith 29).
Summary
In sum, the history of the United States has been the history of wealth accumulation and capitalist relations based on exploitation of racial/ethnic minorities. Western European cultures, which formed the fabric of the United States of America, are relatively homogeneous when compared not only with the rest of the world but also with the increasing diversity in this country. This Euro-American worldview continues to form the foundations of educational, social, economic, cultural, and political systems. Capitalist modes of production and labor relations determined national identity and legalized wealth accumulation and exploitation of low social classes. Americans must realize that they benefit not only from the many proud accomplishments of their ancestors but also from their shameful acts.
Works Cited
Galbraith, J. American Capitalism: The Concept of Countervailing Power. Transaction Publishers; New Ed edition, 1993.
Zinn, H. People’s History of the United States: 1492 to Present. Harper Perennial Modern Classics, 2005.