This article covers the cultural history of the United States since its founding in the late 18th century. The region has had patterns of original settlement by different peoples, and later settler colonial states and societal setups. Various immigrant groups have been at play in the formation of the nation's culture. While different ethnic groups may display their own insular cultural aspects, throughout time a broad American culture has developed that encompasses the entire country. Developments in the culture of the United States in modern history have often been followed by similar changes in the rest of the world (American cultural imperialism).
This includes knowledge, customs, and arts of Americans, as well as events in the social, cultural, and political spheres.
Before European colonization
editThe Americas before European colonization were home to a variety of societies, economies, and cultures.[1]
The Columbian exchange was a series of biological and cultural transfers between Europe, Africa, and Asia, on the one hand, and North and South America, on the other.[2] Among these were concepts of liberty, private property, and labor.[3]
Justice system
editPrior to the early 19th century, people were infrequently jailed. Jails were considered too expensive and could not competently secure a criminal for a lengthy period. Those convicted were either flogged, placed in stocks for a time, or hanged. In 1829, an attempt was made to reform (induce repentance in) convicts by incarcerating them in a penitentiary. Strict silence was enforced. This model was widely copied and persisted for nearly a century. Authorities conceded failure when those incarcerated often went insane through lack of social contact.[4]
American Individualism
editIndividualism in the United States has its beginnings dating back as far as the Revolutionary period. The ideas of the Enlightenment influenced many of the Founding Fathers when it came to philosophy on government and its relationship with individual rights. The founding documents of the United States, particularly the Bill or Rights, sought to protect individual rights and promote free expression of its citizens.[5]
As the United States expanded westward, individualism became synonymous with the frontier character. Coined by President Herbert Hoover as "rugged individualism in 1928, many Americans developed a strong oppositional stance to the government in their lives. The brand of western individualism was defined by self-reliance as a result of living in remote areas. Today, attitudes of individualism are still prevalent in many areas that made up the western frontier. This is especially the case when it comes to counties with lower population densities.[6]
See also
editNotes
edit- ^ Mancall, Peter C. (2021-04-26). "Economic History of the United States: Precolonial and Colonial Periods". Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Economics and Finance. doi:10.1093/acrefore/9780190625979.013.480. ISBN 978-0-19-062597-9. Retrieved 2023-03-21.
- ^ Emmer, Pieter (Feb 2003). "The myth of early globalization: the Atlantic economy, 1500–1800". European Review. 11 (1): 37–47. doi:10.1017/S106279870300005X. ISSN 1474-0575. S2CID 144318805.
- ^ Graeber, David (2021). The Dawn of Everything: A New History of Humanity. D. Wengrow. London. ISBN 978-0-241-40242-9. OCLC 1237349194.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ Johnston, Larry (January 11, 2012). "Shhh! Silent prisons were something to shout about". Florida Today. Melbourne, Florida. pp. 7B.
- ^ Daniels, Eric. (2011). A Brief History of Individualism in American Thought. In Donelson R. Forsyth & Crystal L. Hoyt (Ed.). For the Greater Good of All: Perspectives on Individualism, Society and Leadership (pp. 69-84). Palgrave MacMillan
- ^ Bazzi, Samuel; Fiszbein, Martin; Gebresilasse, Mesay. (2020). "Frontier Culture: The Roots and Persistance of 'Rugged Individualism' in the United States." Econometrica, 88(6), 2329-2368.
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