Immigration 1820-1920

The Author goes into extra detail while discussing groups between 1820-1920 because "we will see that there are similarities and differences over time both between groups and within groups." This is significant because prior to the 19th century, the differences and similarities that occurred amongst groups were much less evident. For example, groups of immigrants could be made up of mainly males, as immigration evolved and became more common, more women starting immigrating as well. This also was true with Europe demographic emigration. Western Europe had already established a steady flow of emigration before Eastern Europe would begin to emigrate. Now in this new age of immigration (starting at 1880s), not only do groups have similarities and differences with other groups, but also groups are beginning to have similarities and differences amongst themselves because of their vastness.

Chapter 5- John Jays Providence

In the section ethnic relations, John Jay plays down the ethnic differences that existed during the American Revolution.

"Providence... one connected country to one united people, a people descended from the same ancestors, speaking of the same language, professing the same religion, attached to the same principles of government..." pg 108

Jay knew his words weren't exactly valid. In reality, the ethnic relations that existed were never consistent, the attitudes held by English Americans towards foreign immigrants varied. Jay was attempting to unite the people with his words. Although he knew everyone had separate ancestors, separate religions, and had not established a form of government that everyone followed, Jay was looking toward the future. Because there was such a variety of people and classes I feel that Jay was trying to limit tension amongst the separate groups. Jay had hopes of creating the beginning of a revolution or at least helping create a more united people.

Late post-Olaudah Equiano

Chapter 2 of Olaudah Equiano's story is a very sad chapter about the capture of him and his sister. My initial question was, how old were they? He mentions that they are children at the time, however, he did not seem like he put up much of a struggle during his capture, therefore he must have been quite young. His journey must have been quite a daze because he is still thinking about escaping. Although he knows he is a far way away from home, he finds he can use the sun as a guide back. However when he is forced to hide from his he master, he just compounds his mistakes. Although he does not say it, I feel that this is the first instance when he loses hope in ever returning. When he is reunited with his sister, it seems there might be a glimmer of hope, but they are torn apart once again. I found his comments about his pain very elegant. The most surprising part of this chapter was the amount African on African slavery. Although i did notice that much of there treatment was better then the treatment that was waiting across the Atlantic.

Late Post, Americans called Indians

"scholars do not make such assumptions about other people in the absence of supporting evidence; yet they make them about Indians without ever looking for evidence."

pg 47 - The Americans and the Problem of History

I chose to include this quote in my blog because of its significance involving Native American history, or in this case lack there of. The author speaks of the struggle scholars have had attempting to understand the native culture. In the Americas much of our pre-history has been lost. Before the arrival of Europeans there was a thriving civilization, "Americans called Indians". Much of our knowledge on the natives today is still unclear and much of our discovery has come from archaeological discovery rather then first hand oral. By disregarding the people that settled the land before them, colonizers destroyed history or a possible recovery of historical information about the native culture present in the Americas at the time. Unfortunately, the mistake of taking advantage has left us with a blank spot n our history of the first Americans.

Census and Struggles of First Settlers

The beginning of the colonial period brought nearly one million people from Europe and Africa to the first colonies. There were about 600,000 Europeans and nearly 300,000 Africans. What is so significant about the two numbers is the ratio of slaves to freemen. This is because all of the Africans were slaves, and nearly half of the Europeans were as well. This unreasonable ratio left freemen as the minority. At the end of the colonial period(1790) the first census was taken by the people of the United States. The total population amounted to nearly four million persons. Among that population was 3.1 million whites and 750,000 blacks. It must be made known that the native population was excluded.

Initially the populations of the first colonies had a difficult time establishing the colonies and improving the conditions. The first settlers had this issue because of three major reasons. First, the first settlers were very unprepared and had come to the colonies without the proper necessities. The settlers were not only exhausted from the trip but their supplies were dwindling. Second, The positioning and timing of the first colonies did not work in their favor. Not only did the settlers of jamestown land in a swamp that had salt contaminated fresh water but the area was also experiencing a drought. Lastly, Death rates from disease and malnutrition were staggering. Disease from several different causes made life for the first settlers difficult. It was argued by Edmund S. Morgan that not until 1700 did the birth rate in Virginia exceed the death toll.

immigration vs. migration

In the first chapter, people coming from Europe to the "New World" are defined as migrants rather then immigrants. Their voyage is classified as migration instead of immigration because; although people are coming from Europe to America, America's national frontier is yet to be established. Therefore, workers are not crossing borders, just migrating to new land. This is significant because an immigrants attitude is different from that of a migrant. It seems migrant workers have an advantage. An immigrant may have citizenship issues or problems adapting to the new system. The author chose to define people coming from Europe to the new world as migrants to better define the struggles experienced by the group.

The Beginning of the Pacific

It has always been a debate when it comes to the exact date of human arrival around the world. When it comes to the coastlines and islands of the pacific, data and information from the past has often been misinterpreted and the unknown history of the pacific is still being explored today. If continued progress is made regarding the history of Pacific it could possibly reveal unknown history about mankind.

Just how early seafaring actually began is still a question. However, what is interesting is the ability of humans to adapt to the environment and expand throughout the world at such a early stage of life. "This human ability to innovate during periods of heightened environmental stress is one of the hallmark characteristics of our specie..."

Our most current data supports a spread of cultures that adapted to the pacific shortly after the pleistocene period. Currently we use radiocarbon dating techniques to identify historical sites. Although radiocarbon dating is a technique developed over half a century ago it still seems to be are best resource for identifying just how old archaeological sites really are.

What is "America"?

The discovery of the Americas was hard for civilization to understand. Knowledge about the "new world" was mainly speculation or opinion. One could almost draw a parallel to modern day exploration into the universe. Many modern day explorers have spent time observing space and its vast uncertainty and still have no real legitimate understanding of it.

The reading sparked multiple ideas and thoughts about the classification of cultures that create the melting pot known as the americas. First, creating a definition of the "Americas" is difficult. I found that there is two ways of attempting to define "America". By culture or by geography. However, neither one gives a clear, or efficient, definition of America. Geography can be misleading; although Mexico neighbors the U.S. it can be classified culturally asfrom the U.S. and more similar to S. American countries. I prefer defining America by culture; a variety of culture mixed and scrambled into one that is separate yet together. Th separate at the "new world", or n. and s. america, has such diversity that its diversity is its only common ground.

The U.S. and Canada may make up the largest part of the Americas but they are also different and can almost be classified as separate from the rest. While other American Counties struggle with political and economic stability the U.S. and Canada have a different agenda. Understanding the Americas as a whole is difficult but feasible.