Mr. Christian
U.S. History P.4
10-8-15
Immigration Essay (Unit 1)
America today can be summed up into 3 time periods, Colonial America, Pre-Civil War to Reconstruction, 19th-20th Century.The migration and immigration of people has contributed to the American identity and helped to create America’s sense of self. During three periods of history significant changes happened that helped frame who “we” are as a country.
Colonial America is the foundation in which shaped how the American identity was created. America was built around immigration when British explorers came looking for opportunity to make money for the King. The first colony that was established by the British was Jamestown. Along with establishing this colony, the …show more content…
Because of religious persecution in England at this time, Pilgrims came to America to seek opportunity to establish a colony of religious freedom. America’s Identity was shaped by the freedom to choose and practice the religion that each individual felt to be the best. Even today Americans are not persecuted for the religion that they practice, whereas in other countries only certain types of religions are accepted. A major event that the British brought with them was the idea of Thanksgiving. After the first season of harvest, the Pilgrims had a feast in what was called Thanksgiving. The Pilgrims had this feast because they were thankful for the opportunity of the land they were farming and having religious freedom was the reason they came to America in the first place. Thanksgiving is still widely celebrated throughout America even …show more content…
After acquiring this huge mass of land, Jefferson sent out two explorers named Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. During their expedition, Lewis and Clark were to record different types of plants, animals, and tribes. The main focus was trying to find a northwest passage that would connect the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Their expedition was to also to study the American Indians to let them know about the Louisiana Purchase, and to open diplomatic relations in hope to gain the trading rights with the Indians who were currently trading with the Spanish, French, and English. With these new trading rights it expanded the American territory and gave people self-made