Introduction
The formation of the American nation as it is known today was molded by the sweat and blood of the colonists, wars, conflicts, and violence. A nation born to war can transform into the hard wired unity, as the psychohistorical studies revealed. In other words, imagine the United States involved in harsh and aggressive whirlpool of conflict with Britain. The country was overwhelmed with the conflicts with the indigenous people and Mexico for a very long time before it could secure its borders and create a full-blown nation. This process was particularly difficult for the settlers due to the geographical makeup of the U.S., absent infrastructure, failed management, lack of authority and security in the most remote areas. As the history showed, the most traumatizing experience was experienced by the settlers in the West, which inspired a great number of literary works and motion pictures. For instance, “Stagecoach” is one of the most vivid examples of Westerns that depicts the frontier myth. Ford illustrates the pattern of journey and adventure that was romanticized in the culture of the frontier myth, where dangers and unexpected turns characterized the experience of the first settlers the most vividly (Ford). Moreover, it is possible to claim that the literature depicting the settling period in those days has become the part of American folklore and myth.
Discussion
During the time of colonization of America, the concept of frontier emerged, which referred to the unsettled land or in a broader sense it characterized the land outside the already settled lands that also symbolized unlimited opportunities and freedom. People who were courageous enough for settling in frontier areas, were usually characterized as cowboys, ranchers, or gold miners. They served as inspiration for the American mystery and frontier life was romanticized in the folklore and mythological tales. Today it is possible to observe the clichés frequently utilized in popular culture and cinema, like the image of cowboys riding the mustang, which was used in the Westerns.
In the time of the initial stage of colonization, the frontier myth has been created that combined all values, characteristics, and peculiarities of life in those days. According to Frederick Jackson Turner, “the frontier is the outer edge of the wave - the meeting point between savagery and civilization” (Turner 5). In the myth, frontier bears the same characteristics by creating a picture of harsh conditions, where the settlers had to encounter with violence, injustice, lack of resources, criminal intentions, and the threat to die early. At the same time, it was the time of absolute freedom, development of American values, the birth of the ultimate will, strength, and ability to survive. At some point, frontier myth combines the stories of violence and romance that occurred in the middle of nowhere.
The American frontier was different than the European one due to the density of population. One of the most prominent features of the American frontier is that it occupied a portion of free land, where there were only few settlements of indigenous people and no initial settlers arrived in the first wave. The myth included a stereotypical frontier family that referred to the family unit that was traveling for their personal reasons despite the progress made in the mainland. The myth involves the spirit of adventure and the Western spirit of ongoing exploration. The other images encapsulated in the frontier myth are dangerous animals, threat of Indian aggression, thievery, lack of resources, and the ability to live without any authority. One of the strongest values brought by the frontier myth is the sense of autonomy and independence that was brought into the United States. In the frontier lands, the settlements were too far away from each other for creating any form of authority or governance.
It is possible to claim that the frontier myth managed to initiate the core American values, as democracy and opposition to tyranny. The spirit of the frontier settlers was independent, as they had to survive without any help from the outside world, despite the constant droughts, lack of resources, the threat to be killed by multiple gangs, and the possibility to be attacked by Indian tribes. As one can see the process of democracy in the USA was not an easy one and took a very long time. Since the first colonies people were struggling against the oppression which triggered to the unique aim. Remembering about the rights and freedoms people had in England, made the Americans to strive for the same liberties to have the rights to speak, obtain or vote as free people.
The tyranny started the revolt in the masses which obtained the form of American Revolution. After the win over the British forces, Americans created their own Constitution. The intentions to gain profit from being in the government were not fully successful that made the colonies divide and to write their own freedoms. As one can see now, American people had a quick reaction on the unfairness of the authorities. It was obvious due to the previous experience of the English tyranny. The creation of the Amendments guaranteed the citizens their rights. The result of their creation was tremendous, as it influenced all the levels of American life. However, as all changes it took a long time until the Amendments were recognized and implemented in law. The additional Civil War Amendments had a long way to go as well. At the same time, it is important to say that even if it took almost one hundred years to be ratified and implemented; now the USA is the country of free people.
Furthermore, these conflicts molded America's essential spirit, which was embodied in its frontier myth. Therefore, according to the researchers, “the United States, aided, abetted, urged, and purged by the frontier myth, has at different times declared open season on other nations” (Turner 36). Even though the modern Americans do not like to remember that the land was actually conquered and usurped by the colonists, it is indeed true, despite the fact that the settlers themselves were involved in the fight with England. However, unfortunately, the unfortunate patterns one can observe today were also initiated during the first settlements in the frontier. For instance, gender inequalities and harsh conditions for women were very well-documented by the experts. It was admitted that due to harsh conditions and absence of strong legislation made women in the frontier terrains involved into the sex trade, which thought to be gendered colonialism (Janiewski 58). Racial prejudice towards women was especially evident. For instance, White females who were working in brothels and taverns were treated almost like indigenous females, which were believed to be like property (Janiewski 58).
Rebellions lead to different consequences. They change history, society, and minds. Through struggle and blood revolts transform people and their conduct of life. The same was American Revolution which paved the first steps to the Democracy. The events of 1765 led made people not to demand new rights, but to obtain something they already had back to England. American Revolution has a strong connection with the Puritan Revolt occurred in England. People required the same rights and freedoms they already experienced in the mother county. The mistrust roots from the first colonists who inhabited the American land.
They were bound to England by the obligatory imposts suffering of tyranny and misconduct. 1765 was the year of the boiling point in the relationship between the colonists and England. The main reason was taxes that were implemented in every level, from legal to business. England demanded tax money even from the written means of art like books or pamphlets. The idea of having the government situated in another country, that did not defended the land or people, caused indignation. The last drop was the English tax inspectors who were intruding and searching the houses without a reason. That reasons started the American Revolution that helped the country to break from the rule of Britain and to start its own existence.
Though, the story of creation and adding the Amendments to the Constitution did not have a clear path. At first, it is important to notice why the Americans did not trust the authorities during that time. In 1787 the forefathers presented the Constitution to the American citizens. After the Constitution arrived to the public, it caused a great resentment. Due to rush and overlooking, the Constitution contained a lot of gaps, especially in the field touching the private rights and freedoms of the Americans.
The main problem was that the text of the Constitution supported the government and the majorities. As the reaction to the opposed masses it was decided to add the affirmations of various right and freedoms of every American citizen. James Madison who was the member of the House of Representatives proposed the text of nineteen Amendments. Only twelve of them were ratified and presented in the Bill of Rights. However, in 1791 only ten Amendments were included in the Bill of Rights. It is important to notice, that since that time, due to the people’s dissatisfaction of the Constitution, every state had its own bill of rights. It was important to unify the desires of the nation and every state to create the Amendments that could embody the gratification of rights and freedoms to all the citizens.
Though, the story of creation and adding the Amendments to the Constitution did not have a clear path. At first, it is important to notice why the Americans did not trust the authorities during that time. Remembering the times with the English rulers, the new government was not trusted at the beginning. To find out the main reasons of creating the Amendments it is important to know what was wrong with the text of the Constitution and how it failed to represent the main liberties of the American citizens.
Conclusion
The first wave settlement was a difficult period for the Americans. At the same time, one has to remember the fact that the representatives of the government were conservators who wanted to oppress any kind of democracy. There were also self interested creditors who had the intention to armor their activity with the help of the government. The conflicts between the representatives of different nations were normal during those days. The difficulty to create the strong nation was to unite all states representatives in one place. The frontier myth depicts the core of the American national values, like independence, strong will, the ability to survive in harsh conditions, the strength to overcome war conflicts, and to conquer if it is necessary. It was difficult time for women and racial minorities, because there were no rules or moral values that would protect them from violence and exploitation. It is important to admit, that the colonies had their individual rights and autonomous bodies. Even after the revolution the authorities had not enough power to unite all the states by guaranteeing the autonomy to everyone. It was obvious that it needed to obtain more power. At the same time, it was crucial to save the balance among all representatives of the United States.
Works Cited
Ford, John. Dir. Stagecoach. Walter Wagner Productions, 1939. Film.
Janiewski, Dolores E. “Gendered Colonialism: The “Woman Question” in the Settler Society”. Nation, Empire, Colony: Historicizing Gender and Race. Eds. Ruth Roach Pierson, Nupur Chaudhuri and Beth McAuley. Bloomington, IN: Indiana University Press, 1998. 57-77. Print.
Turner, Frederick J. The Frontier in American History. New York: Henry Holt & Company, 1921.
