Before I came to PSEC, I did not think of myself as a good writer. I never had a good idea of how I was being asked to write my essays. From that, I tend to overstress about essays and I know that is a big part of the problem. During this first quarter of school, my writing has grown, but there are also still some weaker points in my writing as well. Some of my strengths are finding good quotes to back up my points through research and creating outlines. I know that my weaknesses are writing introductions and conclusions, and writing good transition sentences. Overall, I believe my writing skills have improved since the beginning of this quarter.
A strength I think I have is finding quotes that fit with my topic. In my Bacon’s Rebellion essay, I chose to write about how Nathaniel Bacon cared more about getting back at the Natives than actually helping the Virginians. I found a quote in A Young People’s History of the United States by Howard Zinn that stated my thoughts perfectly. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” Books are a good way to find quotes, but online research is a faster way of finding information. Looking through JSTOR I have found quotes such as “including cultivating cotton for household use and for manufacture into cloth.” which fit my essay from essay 2 when I was discussing the crops found in Georgia. This quarter has taught me how to research online and in books. I understand much better what I’m supposed to be looking for when researching for essays.
Creating outlines is another strength I find in my writing. Even though outlines are not in the final draft or the essay, they help get there. I used to only know how to make webs or lists before writing essays. This quarter I was taught a new way to write my ideas in an outline. I love the idea of an outline more than a web because in an outline once it’s done, the essay is done as well! I know I slacked on the second essay’s outline, but I know I’m good at them because of the first one I did. I learned a new way of organizing my thoughts and I know I’ll keep using this style of outline.
Unfortunately, one of my weakest points in my writing is probably my introductions and conclusions. Since elementary, I have had this same problem. I am not very good at stating my ideas in a creative way that catches the reader’s attention. It is hard for me to make my conclusion sound different than my introduction. Both of them just turn into a list of the things I talk about in my essay. Nobody has ever “taught” me how to write an introduction or a conclusion, at least in a way that I understood. I would like to know how to write good introductions and conclusions because they are supposed to either catch the readers attention, or leave them with the feeling that they understand what I was talking about in my essay.
Another weak point in my writing is transition sentences. All It feels like I know how to do is use words like “clearly” and “unfortunately” to start a paragraph. But I know that isn’t right because I have read many professional essay’s and none of theirs only use “ly” words to transition. Even after my “ly” word, I don’t know how to use it in a good sentence that makes people understand what I’m going to be saying in my essay. I wish I had creative flare that would tell me whether or not what I am writing about is actually interesting or just dull and repetitive.
Closing out this quarter, I have begun to feel myself approach my goals of becoming a good writer. Though I feel like my skills as a writer are improving tremendously, I still do not feel that I am up to par on my overall writing skills. My conclusions and introductions are poor, and my transitions are just as bad but I’m making improvements. I have improved my researching skills this quarter, as well as writing outlines. I am really glad I was in this class because I improved greatly and now have a much better understanding of what an essay should look like.
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Portfolio: Essay # 2 A Georgia Patriot
It was time we let go of our mother country and formed our own country. As a Patriot from Georgia, I say getting away from those overpowering British men and forming our own country was the right direction to go in! It was not logical for us to be associated with the British any longer! The charter of Georgia in 1732, by saying “…do by these presents, make, erect and create one independent and separate province… And that all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are hereby declared to be free.” (Charter of Georgia, 1732) When Georgia became a colony in 1732 it showed that we were ready for independence. Our army is more than ready to fight on our own. Especially with help from the French, we are unstoppable. Becoming our own country was the only logical way to handle our governmental problems. Georgia and the other colonies will be able to support themselves with crops that can give them money. Our rights are important and honored by our government.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense speech showed the most important part of us becoming our own country.
He said "[I]t is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness."
(Common Sense, Thomas Paine) Logic tells us that it is not reasonable for us to be governed from across miles and miles of ocean. It takes too long to get information to travel the long distances. A law could be set in place and by the time we even got word of it, the law could be no longer in effect! It is simply not logical to govern across waters.
Undoubtedly, our army is much stronger than we thought. “Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats.” (The Crisis by Thomas Paine,) When the French come to be on our side, it shows how they do not mind helping protect our country. Because the French will be showing our friendship by helping us out in times of need, other countries will want to be on our side as well. Because of this, we don’t need the British.
In times of war, Americans will be able to help each other and their selves. We are capable of growing our own crops “including cultivating cotton for household use and for manufacture into cloth.” (Creating a Cotton South in Georgian and South Carolina, 1760-1815 by Joyce. E. Chaplin) We are an independent country and we don’t need the British to support us. She is the mother and we are the children. After awhile, the child grows up and leaves the mother on his own adventure. We did just that and it was about time.
As our colonies grew, I began to see that it is possible for us to be independent. Our leaders are promising to treat us well. In Georgia’s constitution, it says “…and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges.” (Constitution of Georgia; February 5, 1777) This quote shows me think that protecting and honoring our rights is important to the government. Our “rights, franchises and privileges” are being protected and we gladly took advantage of that to get rid of the pesky British.
Leaving Britain was the smartest thing we could have done in our situation. Thomas Paine proved that governing across waters does not work well and would have soon become impossible. Our friendliness with the French has shown that we can win wars, especially with the help of our allies. Our cotton growth is just a small example of how we can support ourselves, even in times of need. Government is in charge of holding our rights and privileges high, and they have proved that they do. We are better off on our own and we do not need the British to help us grown and form into a better country than we started with.
Works Cited
1. Charter of Georgia, 1732
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
2. Common Sense by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm
3. The Crisis by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm
4. Creating a Cotton South in Georgian and South Carolina, 1760-1815 by Joyce. E. Chaplin
URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2210413
5. Constitution of Georgia; February 5, 1777
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense speech showed the most important part of us becoming our own country.
He said "[I]t is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness."
(Common Sense, Thomas Paine) Logic tells us that it is not reasonable for us to be governed from across miles and miles of ocean. It takes too long to get information to travel the long distances. A law could be set in place and by the time we even got word of it, the law could be no longer in effect! It is simply not logical to govern across waters.
Undoubtedly, our army is much stronger than we thought. “Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats.” (The Crisis by Thomas Paine,) When the French come to be on our side, it shows how they do not mind helping protect our country. Because the French will be showing our friendship by helping us out in times of need, other countries will want to be on our side as well. Because of this, we don’t need the British.
In times of war, Americans will be able to help each other and their selves. We are capable of growing our own crops “including cultivating cotton for household use and for manufacture into cloth.” (Creating a Cotton South in Georgian and South Carolina, 1760-1815 by Joyce. E. Chaplin) We are an independent country and we don’t need the British to support us. She is the mother and we are the children. After awhile, the child grows up and leaves the mother on his own adventure. We did just that and it was about time.
As our colonies grew, I began to see that it is possible for us to be independent. Our leaders are promising to treat us well. In Georgia’s constitution, it says “…and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges.” (Constitution of Georgia; February 5, 1777) This quote shows me think that protecting and honoring our rights is important to the government. Our “rights, franchises and privileges” are being protected and we gladly took advantage of that to get rid of the pesky British.
Leaving Britain was the smartest thing we could have done in our situation. Thomas Paine proved that governing across waters does not work well and would have soon become impossible. Our friendliness with the French has shown that we can win wars, especially with the help of our allies. Our cotton growth is just a small example of how we can support ourselves, even in times of need. Government is in charge of holding our rights and privileges high, and they have proved that they do. We are better off on our own and we do not need the British to help us grown and form into a better country than we started with.
Works Cited
1. Charter of Georgia, 1732
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
2. Common Sense by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm
3. The Crisis by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm
4. Creating a Cotton South in Georgian and South Carolina, 1760-1815 by Joyce. E. Chaplin
URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2210413
5. Constitution of Georgia; February 5, 1777
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
Portfolio: Essay# 1 Bacon's Rebellion
In 1676, a man named Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion known as Bacon’s Rebellion. By the end of the rebellion, many Natives lives had been lost. According to Howard Zinn, Bacon’s Rebellion “was not a war of American colonists against the British. Instead, Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of angry, poor colonists against two groups they saw as their enemies. One was the Indians. The other was the colonists’ own rich and privileged leaders.”(A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 35) Although many people will probably disagree with me, I believe that Nathaniel Bacon’s actions of killing the Natives were not justified by his motivations. Bacon should have handled his issues in a way other than killing the Natives. He was only acting like a little child not getting his way. After the government declined Nathaniel Bacons request to fight back against the Native Americans, he wrote a Declaration discussing his reasons for siding with the colonists and his reasons for rebelling. Bacon talked about Governor William Berkeley and the government. They had apparently unjustly taxed the poor colonists and farmers. Native Americans were attacking the colonists and the government was siding with the Natives by not protecting the farmers. Because Nathaniel Bacon’s heart was in the wrong place, his reasons were nullified.
The reasons for the rebellion were simple. Nathaniel Bacon was practically handed the opportunity to take charge over the poor farmers. Wilcomb E. Washburn states that Governor Berkeley thought that, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief” (Sir William Berkeley’s “A History Of Our Miseries” Edited by Wilcomb E. Washburn Pg. 1). Berkeley is saying because the farmers were having issues with the government and the weather, they were looking for relief anywhere they could find it. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something or someone to help them get out of their distress. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers mess and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
Furthermore, when the colonies began searching for more land, they started taking over the Natives’ land. In The American Promise: A History of the United States, it says “In their quest for land, they pushed beyond the treaty limits of English settlement and encroached steadily on Indian Land.”(The American Promise: A History of the United States Pg. 91) Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset when the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightful inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.”(Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. Pg. 11) Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have let the farmers move onto the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was willing to be on their side to get the respect they deserved. I think that Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
Undoubtedly, the colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.”5The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Sources:
1. A Young People’s History of the United States. Volume One: Columbus to the Spanish-American War. By: Howard Zinn, Adapted by Rebecca Stefoff.
2. Sir William Berkeley’s “A History Of Our Miseries” Edited by Wilcomb E. Washburn
URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/1915651
3. The American Promise: A History of the United States
4. Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. By: John Huxtable Elliot
URL: http://books.google.com/books?id=mkJwZGbwkqsC
5. Nathaniel Bacon’s Declaration
6. Document #9. Letter by: Elizabeth Bacon
The reasons for the rebellion were simple. Nathaniel Bacon was practically handed the opportunity to take charge over the poor farmers. Wilcomb E. Washburn states that Governor Berkeley thought that, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief” (Sir William Berkeley’s “A History Of Our Miseries” Edited by Wilcomb E. Washburn Pg. 1). Berkeley is saying because the farmers were having issues with the government and the weather, they were looking for relief anywhere they could find it. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something or someone to help them get out of their distress. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers mess and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
Furthermore, when the colonies began searching for more land, they started taking over the Natives’ land. In The American Promise: A History of the United States, it says “In their quest for land, they pushed beyond the treaty limits of English settlement and encroached steadily on Indian Land.”(The American Promise: A History of the United States Pg. 91) Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset when the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightful inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.”(Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. Pg. 11) Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have let the farmers move onto the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was willing to be on their side to get the respect they deserved. I think that Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
Undoubtedly, the colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.”5The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Sources:
1. A Young People’s History of the United States. Volume One: Columbus to the Spanish-American War. By: Howard Zinn, Adapted by Rebecca Stefoff.
2. Sir William Berkeley’s “A History Of Our Miseries” Edited by Wilcomb E. Washburn
URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/1915651
3. The American Promise: A History of the United States
4. Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. By: John Huxtable Elliot
URL: http://books.google.com/books?id=mkJwZGbwkqsC
5. Nathaniel Bacon’s Declaration
6. Document #9. Letter by: Elizabeth Bacon
Portfolio: Final Exam: Frame 1
From Geoffrey Meredith, “The Demise of Writing” I understood that illiteracy is a big issue right now. I think that computer programs such as Spell Check are completely disabling our human ability to learn. Meredith believes that the Spell Check and similar programs are useful to the community. “And clearly these functions are needed.” Meredith says. In my opinion, these functions are not needed because people are becoming dependent on them. I am becoming reliant myself. But there are ways to fix the problem from going any further.
Unfortunately, technology has changed the way people work. Everything is done on computers. Everyday I see examples of people becoming dependent on computers. The biggest example I have come across is me. I have found myself typing and not knowing how to spell a word and just looking at the spell check to fix it for me. Consequently, writing something on paper has become a difficult task for me. I worry about whether I’m spelling words right or not, and even when I should be using a comma. Sadly, I have to admit that I have become dependent on computers. It is so easy just to guess and then right away know if you’re right. It is nearly impossible to make spelling errors and grammatical mistakes in today’s world.
Programs like Spell Check are crippling us. We shouldn’t need computers to tell us how to write. If this trend continues, no one will know how to write and will just be dependent on computers for the answers to everything. Following the trend even further, I predict that in the near future, people won’t have to write at all. Computers will take over everything that has to do with writing while people become lazy and illiterate completely.
An answer to the problem of dependency on computers is, in my mind, simple. To fight back against illiteracy, computer programs should be taken out of schools. “[O]ne-fifth of the population is functionally illiterate” States Meredith. This quote shows that kids are learning that it’s ok to just let the computer tell them what they’re doing wrong. Though kids definitely should learn to type to keep up with technology, they shouldn’t have to do it with the answers right in front of them. They should at least learn how to spell on their own. By taking Spell Check off the computers in elementary schools, middle schools, and even high schools, kids will be forced to learn how to write without the help of computers.
Even though it may seem that computers are helping people with their writing, they are doing the opposite. Computers are making people completely dependent on technology. I am a good example of that because I know I have become dependent. Consequences that will occur from this are people becoming completely illiterate and dependent on computers and not being able to write at all. Simply by taking Spell Check programs off school computers, I think it is possible to reverse the scary thought of everyone becoming illiterate and reliant on technology and computers.
Unfortunately, technology has changed the way people work. Everything is done on computers. Everyday I see examples of people becoming dependent on computers. The biggest example I have come across is me. I have found myself typing and not knowing how to spell a word and just looking at the spell check to fix it for me. Consequently, writing something on paper has become a difficult task for me. I worry about whether I’m spelling words right or not, and even when I should be using a comma. Sadly, I have to admit that I have become dependent on computers. It is so easy just to guess and then right away know if you’re right. It is nearly impossible to make spelling errors and grammatical mistakes in today’s world.
Programs like Spell Check are crippling us. We shouldn’t need computers to tell us how to write. If this trend continues, no one will know how to write and will just be dependent on computers for the answers to everything. Following the trend even further, I predict that in the near future, people won’t have to write at all. Computers will take over everything that has to do with writing while people become lazy and illiterate completely.
An answer to the problem of dependency on computers is, in my mind, simple. To fight back against illiteracy, computer programs should be taken out of schools. “[O]ne-fifth of the population is functionally illiterate” States Meredith. This quote shows that kids are learning that it’s ok to just let the computer tell them what they’re doing wrong. Though kids definitely should learn to type to keep up with technology, they shouldn’t have to do it with the answers right in front of them. They should at least learn how to spell on their own. By taking Spell Check off the computers in elementary schools, middle schools, and even high schools, kids will be forced to learn how to write without the help of computers.
Even though it may seem that computers are helping people with their writing, they are doing the opposite. Computers are making people completely dependent on technology. I am a good example of that because I know I have become dependent. Consequences that will occur from this are people becoming completely illiterate and dependent on computers and not being able to write at all. Simply by taking Spell Check programs off school computers, I think it is possible to reverse the scary thought of everyone becoming illiterate and reliant on technology and computers.
Monday, November 24, 2008
Essay #2 Reflection
Once I got writing, essay #2 was a lot easier than essay #1. But actually getting started on E2 was really hard for me. I know I slacked on the outline of E2, and it really came back to bite me. That made it hard for me to write my entire essay. E1 was an easier essay for me because I actually wrote a decent outline. One thing I think I did alright, was finding quotes that fit with my topic. Unfortunately, my weakest points are probably my intro and conclusion. I’m not very good at stating my ideas in a creative way, or creating a different way to state them in my conclusion. I still don’t feel that I am up to par on my overall writing skills but with another essay on the way, I’m sure I’ll be able to improve my techniques.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Essay #2 Final Draft
American Patriot
It was time we let go of our mother country and formed our own country. As a Patriot from Georgia, I say getting away from those overpowering British men and forming our own country was the right direction to go in! It was not logical for us to be associated with the British any longer! The charter of Georgia in 1732, by saying “…do by these presents, make, erect and create one independent and separate province… And that all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are hereby declared to be free.” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp) When Georgia became a colony in 1732 it showed that we were ready for independence. Our army is more than ready to fight on our own. Especially with help from the French, we are unstoppable. Becoming our own country was the only logical way to handle our governmental problems. Georgia and the other colonies will be able to support themselves with crops that can give them money. Our rights are important and honored by our government.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense speech showed the most important part of us becoming our own country.
He said "[I]t is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness."
(http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm) Logic tells us that it is not reasonable for us to be governed from across miles and miles of ocean. It takes too long to get information to travel the long distances. A law could be set in place and by the time we even got word of it, the law could be no longer in effect! It is simply not logical to govern across waters.
Undoubtedly, our army is much stronger than we thought. “Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats.” (http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm) When the French come to be on our side, it shows how they do not mind helping protect our country. Because the French will be showing our friendship by helping us out in times of need, other countries will want to be on our side as well. Because of this, we don’t need the British.
In times of war, Americans will be able to help each other and their selves. We are capable of growing our own crops “including cultivating cotton for household use and for manufacture into cloth.” (http://www.jstor.org/stable/2210413) We are an independent country and we don’t need the British to support us. She is the mother and we are the children. After awhile, the child grows up and leaves the mother on his own adventure. We did just that and it was about time.
As our colonies grew, I began to see that it is possible for us to be independent. Our leaders are promising to treat us well. In Georgia’s constitution, it says “…and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges.” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp) This quote shows me think that protecting and honoring our rights is important to the government. Our “rights, franchises and privileges” are being protected and we gladly took advantage of that to get rid of the pesky British.
Leaving Britain was the smartest thing we could have done in our situation. Thomas Paine proved that governing across waters does not work well and would have soon become impossible. Our friendliness with the French has shown that we can win wars, especially with the help of our allies. Our cotton growth is just a small example of how we can support ourselves, even in times of need. Government is in charge of holding our rights and privileges high, and they have proved that they do. We are better off on our own and we do not need the British to help us grown and form into a better country than we started with.
Works Cited
1. Charter of Georgia, 1732
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
2. Common Sense by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm
3. The Crisis by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm
4. Creating a Cotton South in Georgian and South Carolina, 1760-1815 by Joyce. E. Chaplin
URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2210413
5. Constitution of Georgia; February 5, 1777
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
It was time we let go of our mother country and formed our own country. As a Patriot from Georgia, I say getting away from those overpowering British men and forming our own country was the right direction to go in! It was not logical for us to be associated with the British any longer! The charter of Georgia in 1732, by saying “…do by these presents, make, erect and create one independent and separate province… And that all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are hereby declared to be free.” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp) When Georgia became a colony in 1732 it showed that we were ready for independence. Our army is more than ready to fight on our own. Especially with help from the French, we are unstoppable. Becoming our own country was the only logical way to handle our governmental problems. Georgia and the other colonies will be able to support themselves with crops that can give them money. Our rights are important and honored by our government.
Thomas Paine’s Common Sense speech showed the most important part of us becoming our own country.
He said "[I]t is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness."
(http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm) Logic tells us that it is not reasonable for us to be governed from across miles and miles of ocean. It takes too long to get information to travel the long distances. A law could be set in place and by the time we even got word of it, the law could be no longer in effect! It is simply not logical to govern across waters.
Undoubtedly, our army is much stronger than we thought. “Britain has trembled like an ague at the report of a French fleet of flat-bottomed boats.” (http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm) When the French come to be on our side, it shows how they do not mind helping protect our country. Because the French will be showing our friendship by helping us out in times of need, other countries will want to be on our side as well. Because of this, we don’t need the British.
In times of war, Americans will be able to help each other and their selves. We are capable of growing our own crops “including cultivating cotton for household use and for manufacture into cloth.” (http://www.jstor.org/stable/2210413) We are an independent country and we don’t need the British to support us. She is the mother and we are the children. After awhile, the child grows up and leaves the mother on his own adventure. We did just that and it was about time.
As our colonies grew, I began to see that it is possible for us to be independent. Our leaders are promising to treat us well. In Georgia’s constitution, it says “…and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges.” (http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp) This quote shows me think that protecting and honoring our rights is important to the government. Our “rights, franchises and privileges” are being protected and we gladly took advantage of that to get rid of the pesky British.
Leaving Britain was the smartest thing we could have done in our situation. Thomas Paine proved that governing across waters does not work well and would have soon become impossible. Our friendliness with the French has shown that we can win wars, especially with the help of our allies. Our cotton growth is just a small example of how we can support ourselves, even in times of need. Government is in charge of holding our rights and privileges high, and they have proved that they do. We are better off on our own and we do not need the British to help us grown and form into a better country than we started with.
Works Cited
1. Charter of Georgia, 1732
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
2. Common Sense by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm
3. The Crisis by Thomas Paine, 1776
URL: http://www.ushistory.org/Paine/crisis/c-01.htm
4. Creating a Cotton South in Georgian and South Carolina, 1760-1815 by Joyce. E. Chaplin
URL: http://www.jstor.org/stable/2210413
5. Constitution of Georgia; February 5, 1777
URL: http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Outline #2
Body:
a. Protecting their people.
i.“and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges;” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
1.This quote tells me about how the “rights, franchises and privileges” of the colonists are being protected against Britain.
2.Protecting the rights of the colonists is most important
b. Individualism
i. ”…do by these presents, make, erect and create one independent and separate province, by the name of Georgia, by which name we will, the same henceforth be called. And that all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are hereby declared to be free, and shall not be subject to or be bound to obey any laws, orders, statutes or constitutions, which have been heretofore made, ordered or enacted by, for, or as, the laws, orders, statutes or constitutions of our said province of South-Carolina” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
1. I think that when Georgia finally became its own separate state(/colony) It showed how they wanted independence. The second step of that is to turn away from Britain.
c. Common Sense
i. "As to government matters, it is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness—There was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease." http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm
1. It's not logical to govern across waters. Especially because of the time it takes for ideas and documents to travel.
a. Protecting their people.
i.“and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges;” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
1.This quote tells me about how the “rights, franchises and privileges” of the colonists are being protected against Britain.
2.Protecting the rights of the colonists is most important
b. Individualism
i. ”…do by these presents, make, erect and create one independent and separate province, by the name of Georgia, by which name we will, the same henceforth be called. And that all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are hereby declared to be free, and shall not be subject to or be bound to obey any laws, orders, statutes or constitutions, which have been heretofore made, ordered or enacted by, for, or as, the laws, orders, statutes or constitutions of our said province of South-Carolina” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
1. I think that when Georgia finally became its own separate state(/colony) It showed how they wanted independence. The second step of that is to turn away from Britain.
c. Common Sense
i. "As to government matters, it is not in the power of Britain to do this continent justice: The business of it will soon be too weighty, and intricate, to be managed with any tolerable degree of convenience, by a power, so distant from us, and so very ignorant of us; for if they cannot conquer us, they cannot govern us. To be always running three or four thousand miles with a tale or a petition, waiting four or five months for an answer, which when obtained requires five or six more to explain it in, will in a few years be looked upon as folly and childishness—There was a time when it was proper, and there is a proper time for it to cease." http://www.ushistory.org/paine/commonsense/singlehtml.htm
1. It's not logical to govern across waters. Especially because of the time it takes for ideas and documents to travel.
Thursday, November 13, 2008
Essay 2 Outline (iamsad)
Outline:
1) “and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges;” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
a) This quote tells me about how the “rights, franchises and privileges” of the colonists are being protected against Britain.
b) Protecting the rights of the colonists is most important
2) ”…do by these presents, make, erect and create one independent and separate province, by the name of Georgia, by which name we will, the same henceforth be called. And that all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are hereby declared to be free, and shall not be subject to or be bound to obey any laws, orders, statutes or constitutions, which have been heretofore made, ordered or enacted by, for, or as, the laws, orders, statutes or constitutions of our said province of South-Carolina” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
a) I think that when Georgia finally became its own separate state(/colony) It showed how they wanted independence. The second step of that is to turn away from Britain.
1) “and use my utmost endeavors to protect the people thereof in the secure enjoyment of all their rights, franchises and privileges;” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga02.asp
a) This quote tells me about how the “rights, franchises and privileges” of the colonists are being protected against Britain.
b) Protecting the rights of the colonists is most important
2) ”…do by these presents, make, erect and create one independent and separate province, by the name of Georgia, by which name we will, the same henceforth be called. And that all and every person or persons, who shall at any time hereafter inhabit or reside within our said province, shall be, and are hereby declared to be free, and shall not be subject to or be bound to obey any laws, orders, statutes or constitutions, which have been heretofore made, ordered or enacted by, for, or as, the laws, orders, statutes or constitutions of our said province of South-Carolina” http://avalon.law.yale.edu/18th_century/ga01.asp
a) I think that when Georgia finally became its own separate state(/colony) It showed how they wanted independence. The second step of that is to turn away from Britain.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
synthesis
The three documents, the quote by J. Adams, and the video we watched, all lead to one thing: the beginning of the separation of the colonies from the British. The stamp act was the start of it all. The video was talking about how the British had little respect for the colonies. Basically, the British were just using the colonies to make them extra money unfairly. When the colonies fought back by boycotting British goods, the British reacted drastically. They blocked off the ports of Boston. I think the British should not have been taxing the American colonies…But then again, on the other hand, the Colonies were being protected by the British. Without the British, the colonies would never have been started in the first place.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
***NEW*** Essay #1 Reflection
Written Reflection:
For the most part I think I probably overstressed about this essay. I am really glad we were assighned the outline. By the end, I think I had made a huge deal out of a little outline. It helped a lot. By writing the outline I really got to focus on what my topic was. It helped me organize my thoughts on the topic. In my personal opinion, I think outlines are a better way to pre-write than a web. Although, given a shorter amount of time I still probably would have used a web, only because it is faster. But the outline is an easier way for me to organize my thoughts on paper and turn them into an essay.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed writing my essay on Bacon’s Rebellion. Even though it was hard work, looking back, I’m glad I did it. Something I learned while writing this essay is to not stop at reading the textbook. If I find something really interesting, I should learn more about it. There is always something else out there to learn. By looking on the JSTOR website, I found information about Bacon’s Rebellion that the book did not cover. I love that I already feel like I am growing in this class. I feel myself beginning to approach my goals of becoming a good writer. I only wish my meeting with Craig would have worked out because I really wanted to know his full opinions. Overall, I think the Bacon’s Rebellion essay went very well for me. I feel like my skills as a writer have improved tremendously.
I have never thought of myself as a good writer. This year my goal for writing is that I will not have a negative attitude about myself. I will use different techniques in my writing to show my creativeness. My writing needs to show who I am as a person. I cannot expect to get anything from this writing class unless I push myself to my limits. I will do all that I can with this class to achieve what I am after, which is to become a better writer.
I don’t think I can change my writing philosophy because I think it is all still true.
For the most part I think I probably overstressed about this essay. I am really glad we were assighned the outline. By the end, I think I had made a huge deal out of a little outline. It helped a lot. By writing the outline I really got to focus on what my topic was. It helped me organize my thoughts on the topic. In my personal opinion, I think outlines are a better way to pre-write than a web. Although, given a shorter amount of time I still probably would have used a web, only because it is faster. But the outline is an easier way for me to organize my thoughts on paper and turn them into an essay.
Surprisingly, I enjoyed writing my essay on Bacon’s Rebellion. Even though it was hard work, looking back, I’m glad I did it. Something I learned while writing this essay is to not stop at reading the textbook. If I find something really interesting, I should learn more about it. There is always something else out there to learn. By looking on the JSTOR website, I found information about Bacon’s Rebellion that the book did not cover. I love that I already feel like I am growing in this class. I feel myself beginning to approach my goals of becoming a good writer. I only wish my meeting with Craig would have worked out because I really wanted to know his full opinions. Overall, I think the Bacon’s Rebellion essay went very well for me. I feel like my skills as a writer have improved tremendously.
I have never thought of myself as a good writer. This year my goal for writing is that I will not have a negative attitude about myself. I will use different techniques in my writing to show my creativeness. My writing needs to show who I am as a person. I cannot expect to get anything from this writing class unless I push myself to my limits. I will do all that I can with this class to achieve what I am after, which is to become a better writer.
I don’t think I can change my writing philosophy because I think it is all still true.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Facilitator Prep Sheet
Facilitator prep sheet
--Who is writing? – The author of this document is a representative of the new colonies government. Most likely it is more than one person.
--Who is the audience? – The audience is the British government and King.
--Who do the writers represent? – The writers represent the new colonies and their quest for a different governmental system.
--What is being said, argued and/or requested? – The colonies want a new government system that has more to do with them, and less to do with the King/British government.
--How is it being said, argued and/or requested? – It is requested in a document to the King.
--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
--Who is writing? – The author of this document is a representative of the new colonies government. Most likely it is more than one person.
--Who is the audience? – The audience is the British government and King.
--Who do the writers represent? – The writers represent the new colonies and their quest for a different governmental system.
--What is being said, argued and/or requested? – The colonies want a new government system that has more to do with them, and less to do with the King/British government.
--How is it being said, argued and/or requested? – It is requested in a document to the King.
--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
Sunday, October 26, 2008
Written Reflection
-----Surprisingly, I enjoyed writing my essay on Bacon’s Rebellion. Even though it was hard work, looking back, I’m glad I did it. Something I learned while writing this essay is to not stop at reading the textbook. If I find something really interesting, I should learn more about it. There is always something else out there to learn. By looking on the JSTOR website, I found information about Bacon’s Rebellion that the book did not cover. I love that I already feel like I am growing in this class. I feel myself beginning to approach my goals of becoming a good writer. I only wish my meeting with Craig would have worked out because I really wanted to know his full opinions. Overall, I think the Bacon’s Rebellion essay went very well for me. I feel I improved a lot on my skills as a writer.
Rhetorical Analysis on Bacon's Rebellion Sources
Rhetorical Analysis: Sir William Berkeley’s “A History of Our Miseries” Edited by Wilcomb E. Washburn
URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/1915651
Who is writing? - Wilcomb E. Washburn is the author of this document.
Who is the audience? – The Audience is anyone who is reading the document.
Who do the writers represent? – Washburn represents William Berkeley during the time of Bacon’s Rebellion.
What is being said, argued and/or requested? – Washburn is saying the reasons Berkeley thought were to blame for Bacon’s Rebellion.
How is it being said, argued and/or requested? – Washburn says it in an essay.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request? - The document is legitimate because Washburn is using quotes from Berkeley.
Rhetorical Analysis: Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. By: John Huxtable Elliot
URL: http://books.google.com/books?id=mkJwZGbwkqsC
Who is the writing? – Rev. Robert Gray is the author of this quote.
Who is the audience? – The audience is the people moving onto the Natives’ land.
Who does the author represent? – The author represents all the people who don’t agree with moving in on the Native’s land.
What is being said, argued and/or requested? – Gray is arguing that it is not acceptable for the colonists to intrude on the Native’s land.
How is it being said, argued and/or requested? – Gray wrote an angry document discussing his views.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request? – This document is legitimate because Robert Gray is stating his own opinion about the land.
URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/1915651
Who is writing? - Wilcomb E. Washburn is the author of this document.
Who is the audience? – The Audience is anyone who is reading the document.
Who do the writers represent? – Washburn represents William Berkeley during the time of Bacon’s Rebellion.
What is being said, argued and/or requested? – Washburn is saying the reasons Berkeley thought were to blame for Bacon’s Rebellion.
How is it being said, argued and/or requested? – Washburn says it in an essay.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request? - The document is legitimate because Washburn is using quotes from Berkeley.
Rhetorical Analysis: Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. By: John Huxtable Elliot
URL: http://books.google.com/books?id=mkJwZGbwkqsC
Who is the writing? – Rev. Robert Gray is the author of this quote.
Who is the audience? – The audience is the people moving onto the Natives’ land.
Who does the author represent? – The author represents all the people who don’t agree with moving in on the Native’s land.
What is being said, argued and/or requested? – Gray is arguing that it is not acceptable for the colonists to intrude on the Native’s land.
How is it being said, argued and/or requested? – Gray wrote an angry document discussing his views.
What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request? – This document is legitimate because Robert Gray is stating his own opinion about the land.
Bacon's Rebellion: Final Draft
In 1676, a man named Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion known as Bacon’s Rebellion. By the end of his life many Natives lives had been lost. According to Howard Zinn, Bacon’s Rebellion “was not a war of American colonists against the British. Instead, Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of angry, poor colonists against two groups they saw as their enemies. One was the Indians. The other was the colonists’ own rich and privileged leaders.”1(A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 35) Although many people will probably disagree with me, I believe that Nathaniel Bacon’s actions of killing the Natives were not justified by his motivations. Bacon should have handled his issues in a way other than killing the Natives. He was only acting like a little child not getting his way. After the government declined Nathaniel Bacons request to fight back against the Native Americans, he wrote a Declaration discussing his reasons for siding with the colonists and his reasons for rebelling. Bacon talked about Governor William Berkeley and the government. They had apparently unjustly taxed the poor colonists and farmers. Native Americans were attacking the colonists and the government was siding with the Natives by not protecting the farmers. Because Nathaniel Bacon’s heart was in the wrong place, his reasons were nullified.
Clearly, the reasons for the rebellion were simple. Nathaniel Bacon was practically handed the opportunity to take charge over the poor farmers. Wilcomb E. Washburn states that Governor Berkeley thought that, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”2. Berkeley is saying because the farmers were having issues with the government and the weather, they were looking for relief anywhere they could find it. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something or someone to help them get out of their distress. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers mess and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
Furthermore, when the colonies began searching for more land, they started taking over the Natives’ land. In The American Promise: A History of the United States, it says “In their quest for land, they pushed beyond the treaty limits of English settlement and encroached steadily on Indian Land.”3 Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset when the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightful inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.”4 Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have let the farmers move onto the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was willing to be on their side to get the respect they deserved. I think that Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.”1 –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
Undoubtedly, the colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.”5The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”6, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Sources:
1. A Young People’s History of the United States. Volume One: Columbus to the Spanish-American War. By: Howard Zinn, Adapted by Rebecca Stefoff.
2. Sir William Berkeley’s “A History Of Our Miseries” Edited by Wilcomb E. Washburn
URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/1915651
3. The American Promise: A History of the United States
4. Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. By: John Huxtable Elliot
URL: http://books.google.com/books?id=mkJwZGbwkqsC
5. Nathaniel Bacon’s Declaration
6. Document #9. Letter by: Elizabeth Bacon
Clearly, the reasons for the rebellion were simple. Nathaniel Bacon was practically handed the opportunity to take charge over the poor farmers. Wilcomb E. Washburn states that Governor Berkeley thought that, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”2. Berkeley is saying because the farmers were having issues with the government and the weather, they were looking for relief anywhere they could find it. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something or someone to help them get out of their distress. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers mess and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
Furthermore, when the colonies began searching for more land, they started taking over the Natives’ land. In The American Promise: A History of the United States, it says “In their quest for land, they pushed beyond the treaty limits of English settlement and encroached steadily on Indian Land.”3 Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset when the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightful inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.”4 Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have let the farmers move onto the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was willing to be on their side to get the respect they deserved. I think that Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.”1 –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
Undoubtedly, the colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.”5The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”6, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Sources:
1. A Young People’s History of the United States. Volume One: Columbus to the Spanish-American War. By: Howard Zinn, Adapted by Rebecca Stefoff.
2. Sir William Berkeley’s “A History Of Our Miseries” Edited by Wilcomb E. Washburn
URL: http://www.jstor.org/pss/1915651
3. The American Promise: A History of the United States
4. Empire’s of the Atlantic World Britain and Spain in America. By: John Huxtable Elliot
URL: http://books.google.com/books?id=mkJwZGbwkqsC
5. Nathaniel Bacon’s Declaration
6. Document #9. Letter by: Elizabeth Bacon
Friday, October 24, 2008
Bacon's Rebellion Draft #4
In 1676, a man named Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion known as Bacon’s Rebellion. According to Howard Zinn, Bacon’s Rebellion “was not a war of American colonists against the British. Instead, Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of angry, poor colonists against two groups they saw as their enemies. One was the Indians. The other was the colonists’ own rich and privileged leaders.” (A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 35) Although many people will probably disagree with me, I believe that Nathaniel Bacon’s actions were not justified by his motivations. Bacon should have handled his issues in a way other than killing the Natives. He was only acting like a little child not getting his way. After the government declined Nathaniel Bacons request to fight back against the Native Americans, he wrote a Declaration discussing his reasons for siding with the colonists and his reasons for rebelling. Bacon talked about Governor William Berkeley and the government. They had assumingly unjustly taxed the poor colonists and farmers. Native Americans were attacking the colonists and the government was siding with the Natives by not protecting the farmers. Because Bacon’s heart was in the wrong place, his reasons were nullified.
According to Governor Berkeley, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something to get them out of their mess. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers distress and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was on their side to get the respect they deserved. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
According to Governor Berkeley, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something to get them out of their mess. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers distress and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was on their side to get the respect they deserved. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Rough Draft #3
In 1676, a man named Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion known as Bacon’s Rebellion. According to Howard Zinn, Bacon’s Rebellion “was not a war of American colonists against the British. Instead, Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of angry, poor colonists against two groups they saw as their enemies. One was the Indians. The other was the colonists’ own rich and privileged leaders.” (A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 35) Although many people will probably disagree with me, I believe that Nathaniel Bacon’s actions were not justified by his motivations. Bacon should have handled his issues in a way other than killing the Natives. He was only acting like a little child not getting his way. After the government declined Nathaniel Bacons request to fight back against the Native Americans, he wrote a Declaration discussing his reasons for siding with the colonists and his reasons for rebelling. Bacon talked about Governor William Berkeley and the government. They had apparently unjustly taxed the poor colonists and farmers. Native Americans were attacking the colonists and the government was siding with the Natives by not protecting the farmers. Because Bacon’s heart was in the wrong place, his reasons were nullified.
According to Governor Berkeley, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something to get them out of their mess. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers distress and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was on their side to get the respect they deserved. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
According to Governor Berkeley, “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. The farmers were looking for something to get them out of their mess. Nathaniel Bacon took advantage of the farmers distress and turned it into his profit. My point is, without these excuses Bacon would have no way to fight back against the government and the Natives.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement. The Natives began fighting with the colonists for their land back. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was saying that the colonists had no right to take the Natives land. Gray’s statement is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. At this point, the poor colonists were already upset with the government and ready to trust anyone who was on their side to get the respect they deserved. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good way to get at the Natives.
Obviously, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses, which was the first governmental system in Virginia. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years prior, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives. This gave Bacon an inside reason to want to fight the Natives. Even though he told the colonists he was only trying to help them, He wanted only to avenge his friend. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Monday, October 20, 2008
Rough Draft #2
In 1676, a man named Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion known as Bacon’s Rebellion. According to Howard Zinn, Bacon’s Rebellion “was not a war of American colonists against the British. Instead, Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of angry, poor colonists against two groups they saw as their enemies. One was the Indians. The other was the colonists’ own rich and privileged leaders.” (A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 35) Although many people believe that Nathaniel Bacon’s actions were justified by his motivations, I think the opposite. Killing the Natives was not a reasonable thing for Bacon to do just because he did not get his way. After the government declined Nathaniel Bacons request to fight back against the Native Americans, he wrote a Declaration discussing his reasons for siding with the colonists and his reasons for rebelling. Bacon talked about Governor William Berkeley and the government. They had assumingly unjustly taxed the poor colonists and farmers. Native Americans were attacking the colonists and the government was siding with the Natives by not protecting the farmers. Because Bacon’s heart was in the wrong place, he nullified his reasons.
According to Governor Berkeley- “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. Without these, Bacon would just be a regular man with nothing to fight for.
Of course, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years before, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives, giving Bacon a reason to want to fight the Natives. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement, and began fighting with the colonists. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was talking about the inhabitants land like it was not the colonists to take. I think Gray is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. Because of these reasons, the poor colonists were already upset and ready to trust anyone. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good reason to fight the Natives.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that is Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
According to Governor Berkeley- “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. Without these, Bacon would just be a regular man with nothing to fight for.
Of course, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years before, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives, giving Bacon a reason to want to fight the Natives. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement, and began fighting with the colonists. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was talking about the inhabitants land like it was not the colonists to take. I think Gray is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. Because of these reasons, the poor colonists were already upset and ready to trust anyone. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good reason to fight the Natives.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that is Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Rough Draft #1: Were Bacon's Actions Justified?
In 1676, a man named Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion known as Bacon’s Rebellion. According to Howard Zinn, Bacon’s Rebellion “was not a war of American colonists against the British. Instead, Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of angry, poor colonists against two groups they saw as their enemies. One was the Indians. The other was the colonists’ own rich and privileged leaders.” (A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 35) Although many people believe that Nathaniel Bacon’s actions were justified by his motivations, I think the opposite. After the government declined Nathaniel Bacons request to fight back against the Native Americans, he wrote a Declaration discussing his reasons for siding with the colonists and his reasons for rebelling. Bacon talked about Governor William Berkeley and the government. They had assumingly unjustly taxed the poor colonists and farmers. Native Americans were attacking the colonists and the government was siding with the Natives by not protecting the farmers. Because Bacon’s heart was in the wrong place, he nullified his reasons.
According to Governor Berkeley- “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. Without these, Bacon would just be a regular man with nothing to fight for.
Of course, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years before, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives, giving Bacon a reason to want to fight the Natives. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement, and began fighting with the colonists. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was talking about the inhabitants land like it was not the colonists to take. I think Gray is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. Because of these reasons, the poor colonists were already upset and ready to trust anyone. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good reason to fight the Natives.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that is Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
According to Governor Berkeley- “Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes—all created discontent and desire for relief”. These were the reasons Bacon was able to take control over the poor farmers. Without these, Bacon would just be a regular man with nothing to fight for.
Of course, Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists. Because Bacon treated the colonists like he was on their side, they elected him into the House of Burgesses. Telling the colonists that he wanted to help them fight back against the natives, Bacon found their trust. “Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side.” –Howard Zinn (A Young People’s History of the United States) A few years before, one of Bacon’s friends had been killed by the Natives, giving Bacon a reason to want to fight the Natives. I think that even though Nathaniel Bacon showed his good intentions to the colonists, all he really wanted to do was get back at the Natives for his friend.
When the colonies began running out of room, the government started pushing the poor colonists out into the Natives’ land. Obviously, the Natives were not happy with the arrangement, and began fighting with the colonists. Colonists became upset by the fact that the government would not give them weapons to fight back. Once, Rev. Robert Gray said “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them.” Gray was talking about the inhabitants land like it was not the colonists to take. I think Gray is correct. The government should have given the farmers weapons to protect themselves, but on the other hand, the government should not have pushed the farmers towards the Natives land in the first place. Because of these reasons, the poor colonists were already upset and ready to trust anyone. Bacon was ready to lead them and knew it would be a good reason to fight the Natives.
The colonists had been treated badly by the government not only by them siding with the Natives but by taxing the poor for the governments own good. In his declaration, Bacon says “Great unjust taxes upon the commonalty for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate.” The government is the target of this part of the declaration. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor, without giving anything back to the colonists. Even though the issues of taxes are an important part of government, I don’t believe it has anything to do with the Native Americans. Therefore, Bacon had no reason to go to war against them.
Unquestionably, William Berkeley did not approve Bacon’s request to fight the Natives. “so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without commission”, wrote Elizabeth Bacon-Nathaniel Bacon’s wife- in a letter to Bacon’s sister back in England. Finally, Bacon had enough of the government not letting him do what he wanted with the Natives. Without government consent, Bacon and the colonists rebelled. Sadly, Bacon died suddenly never getting to finish his movement. But the rebel had no lasting effects, proving even more my point that is Bacon was only being selfish and his actions of killing the Natives were not justifiable.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
Kendra Nelson
Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
I. Hook/Introduction
II. Background information:
A. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
B. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
C. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
D. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
Body:
I. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists
A. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side".-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States
1. Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on their side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
II. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
A. Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
III. In Bacon’s Declaration, he says the reasons for the rebellion
A. ”great unjust taxes upon the commonalty [common people] for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate” –Nathaniel Bacon
1. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor people but not using the money for any good.
B. “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them” – Rev. Robert Gray in a sermon of 1609
IV. The people were already upset because of the issues, so they trusted Bacon
A. "Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes--all created discontent and a desire for relief”--- http://www.jstor.org/stable/1915651
1. Bacon used that excuse to align with the poor.
V. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
A. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
VI Bacon did it anyway.
VII. Works Cited or References:
a. I have used one quote from JSTOR so far. It is from William Berkeley.
Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
I. Hook/Introduction
II. Background information:
A. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
B. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
C. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
D. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
Body:
I. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists
A. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side".-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States
1. Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on their side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
II. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
A. Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
III. In Bacon’s Declaration, he says the reasons for the rebellion
A. ”great unjust taxes upon the commonalty [common people] for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate” –Nathaniel Bacon
1. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor people but not using the money for any good.
B. “By what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them” – Rev. Robert Gray in a sermon of 1609
IV. The people were already upset because of the issues, so they trusted Bacon
A. "Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes--all created discontent and a desire for relief”--- http://www.jstor.org/stable/1915651
1. Bacon used that excuse to align with the poor.
V. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
A. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
VI Bacon did it anyway.
VII. Works Cited or References:
a. I have used one quote from JSTOR so far. It is from William Berkeley.
Wednesday, October 15, 2008
Response to Olaudah Equiano
The slaves were obviously held in bad conditions on the ships. So many people were packed onto the ships that they couldn't even breathe right. I wonder what was going through the white men's minds when they were putting the slaves on the boats. How could they think that it was okay? The white people just seem mean, even to their own kind. I can't believe that no one even cared to stop it. Not only were thy whipping the slaves, but they were whipping their own men! How do people treat other human beings that way?
what I did in class, working on it when i get home.
I. Hook/Introduction
II. Background information:
-----a. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
-----b. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
-----c. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
-----d. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
III. Hypothesis/Thesis:
-----a. Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
IV. Body:
-----a. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists
----------i. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side".-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States
---------------1) Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on there side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
-----b. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
II. ---------------1) Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
III. -----b2. In Bacon’s Declaration, he says the reasons for the rebellion
IV. ----------1)”great unjust taxes upon the commonalty [common people] for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate” –Nathaniel Bacon
V. ---------------i. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor people but not using the money for any good.
VI. B3. “by what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them” – Rev. Robert Gray in a sermon of 1609
-----c. The people were already upset because of the issues, so they trusted Bacon
----------i. "Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes--all created discontent and a desire for relief"
---------------1) Bacon used that excuse to align with the poor.
-----d. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
----------i. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
-----e. Bacon did it anyway.
V. Works Cited or References:
-----a. I have used one quote from JSTOR so far. It is by William Berekely.
II. Background information:
-----a. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
-----b. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
-----c. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
-----d. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
III. Hypothesis/Thesis:
-----a. Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
IV. Body:
-----a. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists
----------i. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side".-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States
---------------1) Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on there side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
-----b. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
II. ---------------1) Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
III. -----b2. In Bacon’s Declaration, he says the reasons for the rebellion
IV. ----------1)”great unjust taxes upon the commonalty [common people] for the advancement of private favorites and other sinister ends, but no visible effects in any measure adequate” –Nathaniel Bacon
V. ---------------i. Bacon is saying that the government is taxing the poor people but not using the money for any good.
VI. B3. “by what right or warrant we can enter into the land of these Savages, take away their rightfull inheritance from them and plant ourselves in their places, being unwronged or unprovoked by them” – Rev. Robert Gray in a sermon of 1609
-----c. The people were already upset because of the issues, so they trusted Bacon
----------i. "Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes--all created discontent and a desire for relief"
---------------1) Bacon used that excuse to align with the poor.
-----d. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
----------i. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
-----e. Bacon did it anyway.
V. Works Cited or References:
-----a. I have used one quote from JSTOR so far. It is by William Berekely.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
I. Hook/Introduction
II. Background information:
-----a. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
-----b. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
-----c. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
-----d. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
III. Hypothesis/Thesis:
-----a. Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
IV. Body:
-----a. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists to kill the Indians.
----------i. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side"-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States.
---------------1) Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on there side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
-----b. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
---------------1) Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
-----c. The people were already upset because of the issues, so they trusted Bacon
----------i. "Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes--all created discontent and a desire for relief"
---------------1) Bacon used that excuse to align with the poor.
-----d. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
----------i. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
-----e. Bacon did it anyway.
V. Works Cited or References:
-----a. I have used one quote from JSTOR so far. It is by William Berekely.
II. Background information:
-----a. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
-----b. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
-----c. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
-----d. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
III. Hypothesis/Thesis:
-----a. Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
IV. Body:
-----a. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists to kill the Indians.
----------i. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side"-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States.
---------------1) Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on there side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
-----b. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
---------------1) Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
-----c. The people were already upset because of the issues, so they trusted Bacon
----------i. "Indian attacks on the frontier, economic depression, bad weather, high taxes--all created discontent and a desire for relief"
---------------1) Bacon used that excuse to align with the poor.
-----d. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
----------i. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
-----e. Bacon did it anyway.
V. Works Cited or References:
-----a. I have used one quote from JSTOR so far. It is by William Berekely.
Arts of Democracy
I have never been a political person until now. Arts of Democracy has given me new views on politics as well as the world around me. Being a teenager, I am apart of the most important age group. By the next election, I will be able to vote, along with most of the rest of the teens. This means that I should be paying attention to everything I can in order to understand completely what I will be voting for and what my views are. So far, all I know about my views on politics is that I want Barack Obama to win this election. As far as that making me a Democrat? I don't know. I don’t even know what being a Democrat entails. When I watched the presidential debates, I was not so worried about that kind of thing as I was with the kind of people McCain and Obama are. What influenced my decision in the election was that Obama was a much better public speaker whereas McCain seemed uncomfortable with every thing that was going on. When choosing someone to take over an entire country, I see no reason that the person should be in any way nervous about public speaking. That makes no sense to me at all. My parents rarely discuss politics with me. My mom and dad have never had the same political views. Because my family isn't strongly political I have been left on my own to find out my views. For this reason, Arts of Democracy is really the only experience I have had with politics. Politically, I am just starting to learn about myself and my views. I know that by the end of Arts of Democracy, my ideas will be much more in depth and I will be more confident in myself.
College 100. Why Am I Here?
From my experience so far, I am glad I joined PSEC. At the start, I came here to prepare myself for college and my life after that. I now know that it was a good choice, because my idea of what life at PSEC was going to be like turned out to be totally different from what it turned out to be. So far, PSEC is teaching me what it's going to be like in a real college. It is serving as a wakeup call that I desperately needed. College is a lot tougher than I thought it was going to be. A skill that I want to develop by the end of my PSEC experience is public speaking. Throughout my life, I have never been good at public speaking, and I know that I will need that skill in the future. Another skill that I need to work on is organization. Procrastination goes in hand with organization, and I definitely need to work on that too. Currently, I have no idea what I want to do as a career when I'm older. My hope for this program is that it will help me decide what I want to do by forcing me to look at different colleges and majors. In 4 years, while I'm looking back on my journey at PSEC 4 years from now, my goal is that I will see a time in my life when I was breaking out of my shell and learning about the real world, preparing me to make my life the best it can be.
Monday, October 13, 2008
Hypothesis/Thesis: Bacon's Rebellion essay Outline
I. Hook/Introduction
II. Background information:
a. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
b. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
c. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
d. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
III. Hypothesis/Thesis:
a. Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
b. Thesis: Bacon's reasons for rebelling and killing the natives were not justifiable.
IV. Body:
a. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists to kill the Indians.
i. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side"-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States.
1) Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on there side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
b. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
1) Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
c. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
i. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
1)Elizabeth Bacon is telling Bacons sister that he is doing good.
d. Bacon did it anyway.
V. Works Cited or References:
a. So far the references I have used are all from the documents Craig has given me. I'm still thinking about ways to use my jstor research in the essay.
II. Background information:
a. Bacon's rebellion happened because of Natives attacking poor colonists.
b. Bacon's rebellion also happened because of the government taxing the poor farmers and colonists.
c. The colonists were also being treated poorly by the rich colonists who were using them as "servants"
d. Bacon rebelled against the government by killing the native tribes around the colonies.
III. Hypothesis/Thesis:
a. Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
b. Thesis: Bacon's reasons for rebelling and killing the natives were not justifiable.
IV. Body:
a. Bacon took advantage of the poor colonists to kill the Indians.
i. "Bacon owned a good bit of land. He probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor. Still, the common people of Virginia felt that he was on their side"-Howard Zinn. A Young People's History of the United States.
1) Even though Bacon probably told the farmers that he was on there side, and he probably was, I think his true meaning for his actions were deeper.
b. Bacon said he was helping to get the colonists their rights
1) Even if it was true you can't just kill people over it.
c. William Berkeley did not agree with Bacon and did not grant him permission to fight the Natives.
i. "so he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him, that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission"-Elizabeth Bacon
1)Elizabeth Bacon is telling Bacons sister that he is doing good.
d. Bacon did it anyway.
V. Works Cited or References:
a. So far the references I have used are all from the documents Craig has given me. I'm still thinking about ways to use my jstor research in the essay.
Bacon's Rebellion Hypothesis/Thesis
Hypothesis: Were Bacon's actions justified by his motivations?
Thesis: Bacon's reasons for rebelling and killing the natives were not justifiable.
Thesis: Bacon's reasons for rebelling and killing the natives were not justifiable.
Friday, October 10, 2008
JSTOR
I found the JSTOR database to be pretty overwhelming. While searching through the articles, I noticed that there are many different things to put in the boxes. Every little change I made gave me several different articles. By putting "intent" and "purpose" in the boxes, I barely found anything related to Bacon's Rebellion. When I put "taxes" and "Indians" next to bacon's rebellion, I got the document we were assigned to read for homework tonight. With those word choices, I definitely had better luck and found more information. Several articles caught my attention and most of them seem like I can actually use them.Before today, I didn't know what databases were, but I'm glad I know about it now. Now I have so many different options that I never had before. Essays and research are going to be so much simpler now.
John Winthrop’s Arbella sermon
-Quote 1-“The definition which the scripture gives us of love is this: ‘Love is the bond of perfection.’ [I]t is a bond or ligament. . . . There is no body but consists of parts and that which each part so contiguous to others as thereby they do mutually participate with each other, both in strength and infirmity, in pleasure and pain. . . . Christ and his church make one body. The several parts of this body, considered apart before they were united, were disproportionate and as much disordering as so many contrary qualities or elements, [however, when united], it is become the most perfect and best proportioned body in the world[.]”
When Winthrop is using the metaphor of a body, he is referring to the unity of it. A brain is worthless without a heart to pump blood to it. A community is the same way. Winthrop is talking about how each person with him may specialize in different things, but together they can work together under the order of Christ and make the new world what they want it to be.
-Quote 2-“Whatsoever we did or ought to have done when we lived in England, the same must we do, and more also, where we go.”
Although Winthrop and the Puritans left England to start a new world, they didn't want to separate themselves completely. Their goal was to make a better, improved version of England. They wanted to show that even though they had left England, they were still sticking with their root. They took their roots and grew from them. Transforming their old way in England to a new way in the new world.
-Quote 3-“Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with him for this work. We have taken out a commission, the Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles. We have professed to enterprise these actions . . . . Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath he ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, [and] will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it.”
According to the Puritans, they had been commanded to abide by their religious rules. In this quote I think Winthrop is talking about God giving them a new opportunity. It was their opportunity to start fresh and to please God. To me, it basically sounds like he's saying not to screw up their chance to start new and turn the new world into what they were leaving.
-Quote 4-“[W]hen he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding [colonies], ‘the Lord make it like that of New England.’ For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us[.]”
Winthrop is talking about being a role model. "We shall be as a city upon a hill" means that they would be what everyone sees. They were the new people and they were doing something different than everyone else. Because they were leaving England, everyone would know about them. What Winthrop was saying was that the Puritans had this opportunity from God and that they were supposed to do good things with it. Winthrop was saying that they were supposed to help everyone else see what they were doing and encourage people to do the same.
When Winthrop is using the metaphor of a body, he is referring to the unity of it. A brain is worthless without a heart to pump blood to it. A community is the same way. Winthrop is talking about how each person with him may specialize in different things, but together they can work together under the order of Christ and make the new world what they want it to be.
-Quote 2-“Whatsoever we did or ought to have done when we lived in England, the same must we do, and more also, where we go.”
Although Winthrop and the Puritans left England to start a new world, they didn't want to separate themselves completely. Their goal was to make a better, improved version of England. They wanted to show that even though they had left England, they were still sticking with their root. They took their roots and grew from them. Transforming their old way in England to a new way in the new world.
-Quote 3-“Thus stands the cause between God and us. We are entered into covenant with him for this work. We have taken out a commission, the Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles. We have professed to enterprise these actions . . . . Now if the Lord shall please to hear us, and bring us in peace to the place we desire, then hath he ratified this covenant and sealed our commission, [and] will expect a strict performance of the articles contained in it.”
According to the Puritans, they had been commanded to abide by their religious rules. In this quote I think Winthrop is talking about God giving them a new opportunity. It was their opportunity to start fresh and to please God. To me, it basically sounds like he's saying not to screw up their chance to start new and turn the new world into what they were leaving.
-Quote 4-“[W]hen he shall make us a praise and glory that men shall say of succeeding [colonies], ‘the Lord make it like that of New England.’ For we must consider that we shall be as a city upon a hill. The eyes of all people are upon us[.]”
Winthrop is talking about being a role model. "We shall be as a city upon a hill" means that they would be what everyone sees. They were the new people and they were doing something different than everyone else. Because they were leaving England, everyone would know about them. What Winthrop was saying was that the Puritans had this opportunity from God and that they were supposed to do good things with it. Winthrop was saying that they were supposed to help everyone else see what they were doing and encourage people to do the same.
Thursday, October 9, 2008
College Fair
My trip to the college fair was very informative. I learned about schools that I never even knew existed before. Because I still don’t know what I want to do as a profession, most of the information I got from every booth was helpful to me. I told the representatives that I am looking into the dental hygiene area, but that is not set in stone. Another thing that I needed to know about is golf. Most every school I looked at had a golf team, but nobody seemed to know anything about it. One school I looked at Was Eastern Washington University. The representative said that the dental field at their school is very competitive. That showed me that they are serious about it, and that is encouraging. A question I still don’t know the answer to is what kind of golf team they have. The next phase of my educational and career planning process is finding out more about different schools and to start looking into scholarships.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
They Say Bacon's Rebellion #2 (1)
In 1676, a man named Nathaniel Bacon led a rebellion known as Bacon’s Rebellion. According to Howard Zinn, Bacon’s Rebellion “was not a war of American colonists against the British. Instead, Bacon’s Rebellion was an uprising of angry, poor colonists against two groups they saw as their enemies. One was the Indians. The other was the colonists’ own rich and privileged leaders.” (A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 35) The poor colonists were being pushed towards the Natives’ land and were upset because of the dangers living there posed. Governor William Berkeley would not help the frontiersmen fight the Natives. The poor colonists were being mistreated by Rich landowners and were worked in terrible conditions. Zinn also states that “The frontiersmen felt that the colonial government had let them down. They were angry, and they weren’t the only ones.” (A Young People’s History of the United States Pg. 36) Nathaniel Bacon became their leader. Although “He [Bacon] probably cared more about fighting Indians than about helping the poor” (A Young people’s History of the United States Pg. 37), The Virginians still trusted him. Bacon took authority and was elected into the House of Burgesses. Nathaniel Bacon’s wife Elizabeth Bacon herself writes “So he begged of the Governor for a commission in several letters to him that he might go out against them, but he would not grant one, so daily more mischief done by them, so your brother not able to endure any longer, he went out without a commission.” Bacon asked the Governor for permission to fight the Natives, But Berkeley declined. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, Bacon went to battle the Natives anyway. He killed many Natives before he suddenly died of unknown causes.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008
facilitator prep sheet
--Who is writing?
The writer is most likely a representative from the group of names listed below the document.
--Who is the Audience?
The audience is everyone.
--Who do the writers represent?
The writers represent the group of people who want to make colonies in northern Virginia.
--What is being said, argued and/or requested?
The writers are saying that they want to be the first group to make a colony in northern Virginia.
--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?
The writers request it by talking about the kinds of things they will be doing in the new colonies.
--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
Pathos (emotional): the writers connect emotionally by talking about ”equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers” .
Logos (Logical): the logic in this is the expanding. Growing and expanding leads to more land and more money.
The writer is most likely a representative from the group of names listed below the document.
--Who is the Audience?
The audience is everyone.
--Who do the writers represent?
The writers represent the group of people who want to make colonies in northern Virginia.
--What is being said, argued and/or requested?
The writers are saying that they want to be the first group to make a colony in northern Virginia.
--How is it being said, argued and/or requested?
The writers request it by talking about the kinds of things they will be doing in the new colonies.
--What proof and/or justification is being used to legitimize the request?
Pathos (emotional): the writers connect emotionally by talking about ”equal Laws, Ordinances, Acts, Constitutions, and Officers” .
Logos (Logical): the logic in this is the expanding. Growing and expanding leads to more land and more money.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
During the seventeenth-century, The Europeans’ became addicted to tobacco. Although the King of England found tobacco disgusting, people still enjoyed it. Sailors enjoyed tobacco because it held off their hunger and thirst and gave them back their strength. Europeans used the tobacco to smoke, sniff, chew, drink, and use for enemas. Smoking tobacco became so big in Europe that people smoked everywhere. There were smoking clubs and people even smoked around the dinner table and in bed. Because the Europeans were addicted to tobacco, they began to import more tobacco from the Chesapeake colonies causing the prices of tobacco to drop from a dollar to less than 3 cents. In conclusion, Europeans’ desire for tobacco cause the colonies to prosper.
Monday, September 29, 2008
Rhetorical Analysis
Author: King James is the author of this article.
Audience: The audience is the people of England
Tone: The tone set in this document by the vocabulary used. The vocabulary style is legal and confident.
Purpose: The main purpose of this article is to approve the settlements on the coast of Virginia and to give permission to use the land and its resources as well as to spread the Christian faith.
Persuasion:
-Ethos (emotional): Because this is a legal document, there are no emotions displayed by the author. The document simply uses facts.
-Pathos (character/credibility): The vocabulary and tone set by King James leads us to believe he is educated and therefore is credible and reliable.
Logos (logical): This document is logical because King James sets all the boundaries and rules to the new land. He leaves no open ended questions.
Audience: The audience is the people of England
Tone: The tone set in this document by the vocabulary used. The vocabulary style is legal and confident.
Purpose: The main purpose of this article is to approve the settlements on the coast of Virginia and to give permission to use the land and its resources as well as to spread the Christian faith.
Persuasion:
-Ethos (emotional): Because this is a legal document, there are no emotions displayed by the author. The document simply uses facts.
-Pathos (character/credibility): The vocabulary and tone set by King James leads us to believe he is educated and therefore is credible and reliable.
Logos (logical): This document is logical because King James sets all the boundaries and rules to the new land. He leaves no open ended questions.
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Bartolome de Las Casas
Bartolome de Las Casas argues that the Spaniards treated the natives with less respect than they deserved. I agree because the Spaniards treated the many people of the new world as though they were not as important as the Spaniards thought themselves to be. Bartolome says that the natives were actually “innocent sheep” when the Spaniards took advantage of them for their land and gold. I think that because the Spaniards minds were blocked with images of power and wealth, they did whatever they thought they needed to achieve their goal, even if it meant destroying entire villages in their path.
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
My Writing Philosophy
I have never thought of myself as a good writer. This year my goal for writing is that I will not have a negative attitude about myself. I will use different techniques in my writing to show my creativeness. My writing needs to show who I am as a person. I cannot expect to get anything from this writing class unless I push myself to my outer limits. I will do all that I can with this class to achieve what I am after, which is to become a better writer.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Charles Deemer
The main idea of Charles Deemer’s essay is that in order to get a real “education” students need to be told to think for themselves as opposed to just listening to a teacher tell them what to think. He thinks that current teaching styles do not prepare people for the real world. To support his work, Charles quoted several other articles and books that showed what he was thinking.
Monday, September 22, 2008
PSEC Attendance Letter
Towards the end of my freshman year I was given a project involving community service. We were told to find something about our school that we could improve. This project changed my mind about community service. Before the project, I thought community service was a waste of time. But doing the community service showed me the positive things that can be gained. It made me feel good about myself as well as being fun. Also, I set a good example for others to follow and make a difference in their community.
Surprisingly during this project, I found I had fun helping others improve our community. Simply by doing a project due in class, I realized how much I enjoy giving back to the community. Working to improve a place shared by many people I learned that having fun is a big part of a community project. It brought me closer to my friends and we shared a healthy bond that showed me simple things done in the community are still enjoyable. At PSEC I can will use the positive attitude I learned while doing the project to help make my community and school a better place.
I like to think that by doing this end of the year project I encouraged others to help clean up the community as well. Showing the improvement the project has made to our school, I hope to have shown students that it is possible and fun to make a difference. A contribution I can make to PSEC is by doing everything I can and setting a good example for the other students and the rest of the community.
By doing a project my first year of high school I have prepared myself for Puget Sound Early College and shown what I have to offer. I have shown my positive attitude toward community service and my willingness to help out around the school. I will set a good example for other students, as well as people in the community.
Surprisingly during this project, I found I had fun helping others improve our community. Simply by doing a project due in class, I realized how much I enjoy giving back to the community. Working to improve a place shared by many people I learned that having fun is a big part of a community project. It brought me closer to my friends and we shared a healthy bond that showed me simple things done in the community are still enjoyable. At PSEC I can will use the positive attitude I learned while doing the project to help make my community and school a better place.
I like to think that by doing this end of the year project I encouraged others to help clean up the community as well. Showing the improvement the project has made to our school, I hope to have shown students that it is possible and fun to make a difference. A contribution I can make to PSEC is by doing everything I can and setting a good example for the other students and the rest of the community.
By doing a project my first year of high school I have prepared myself for Puget Sound Early College and shown what I have to offer. I have shown my positive attitude toward community service and my willingness to help out around the school. I will set a good example for other students, as well as people in the community.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
