Everyday Life In Early America
The book ‘Everyday Life in Early America’ by David Hawke is an enlightening book which provides a detailed account of the history of early settlers in the United States of America. the author maintains that the geographic concept including the physical environment is a chief factor which influences the conduct of individuals. He maintained that early settlers came to America in the hope of taking forward their customs and traditions while starting afresh in a foreign land. However, the physical environment brought about certain changes to their traditions and customs. The people slowly began to understand that the only way to survive would be to modify their patterns of living.
During those days, criminals and brethrens were sent to America from Great Britain. Criminals were given the decision to either immigrate to the United States of America or face death penalty. The seventeenth century America was a farmland. People were poor and some migrated to this country in the hope of quick wealth. Individuals from England and then from Europe began to migrate to the United States of America. People crossed the ocean in groups and started settling down in this country. The book gives a detailed account of the first houses, or rather huts which have been built in America.
Another detailed account provided in this book is that of the Pennsylvania Dutch. They were the settlers who came to America from Germany. They are a cultural group and they principally spoke German. Their immigration to America began in the late seventeenth century. The book tells about their culture including marriage, festivals celebrated by these immigrants and their chief occupation which was not only limited to farming but also domesticating animals. A lot has been spoken about the spoken language of the Pennsylvania Dutch and the influence of English once they settled in America.
The book first details the colonies settled in America including the places they immigrated from, their language, culture and customs. It then goes on to provide an account of the period of American Enlightenment including the means for triggering the revolution which subsequently led to the formation of the Republic of America. The author traced the revolution from Europe and the manner in which it reached America after about a century. Hawke has also provided an implicit account of the manner in which diverse settlers came together to unite under the common religion of Christianity.
The book also mentions the contribution of theologian and Christian preacher Jonathan Edwards and the manner in which he inspired the masses. He was responsible for stimulating the revival of the religion, also known as the ‘Great Awakening’ in America. He is considered to be a forerunner for the expansion of the Protestant missionary in the 19th century in America. His preaching converted millions into the Christian faith. The people started singing hymns in the streets and it would not be possible to seek entry into the church if one did not arrive in the wee hours of the morning. David Hawke traces the manner in which people from diverse nations settled in America and started engaging in a single faith and the manner in which it modified their own customs and traditions over a period of time.
The French and Indian war commenced in the year 1754 with the clash of British and French forces in order to expand their rule in North America. The seven year war witnessed the initial winning of the French forces. However, in the end, the British regained and started taking control of America. The politics of secession led to the starvation of the Native Americans. The tribes started suffering from diverse ailments and this led to the commencement of a religion revival to drive the British out of America. An aftermath of this religious revival led to the Pontiac uprising.
The book traces well the ancestral history of early America including certain landmark events which shaped the history of early America. Hawke has been commended for spending a lot of time to and importance his book gave to the manner in which the forest lands in America were cleared by the early settlers. However, the book does not provide any new discoveries which may have been made in the life of the early settlers in America. But the book has given a detailed summary about the manner in which the early settlers lived in this nation.
Everyday Life In Early America by David Freeman Hawke is highly enlightening as it excellently traces the daily life of the early settlers. The book is an apt textbook as it details the important concepts of colonial history in America. Hawke also takes a balanced approach in order to give the diverse viewpoints of notable scholars while discussing the history of early America. Moreover the topics clearly examine and explain every single section and notion including scholarly opinions. Overall the book has been excellently written and has highly researched text which provides knowledge to the readers about the early history of America.
Works cited:
Hawkes, D.F. Everyday Life In Early America. New York: Perennial, 1989. Print.
