Democratic Society in the American Colonies

Comment on the extent to which each of the following contributed to a more democratic society in the American colonies: (a) the Great Awakening (b) immigration (c) the Zenger case.ton Russell

With the help of these key events, the colonies of America slowly evolved to become a more liberal country which shaped and changed the American colonies to progressively become a democratic government. In the eighteenth century, the colonial society became increasingly more democratic due to the Great Awakening, immigration, and The Zenger Case because these events helped bring about toleration of different religions, speaking against the government, and allowing other people from foreign countries to live in the American colonies. The Great Awakening, which was strongest in the 1730s and 1740s, was a religious movement that encouraged the American colonists to strongly express their religious beliefs to the upmost importance. The American colonists were inspired by Jonathan Edwards, who traveled across New England and preached the sermons that discussed sins and how to be saved by God’s grace. Above all, George Whitfield was the most influential through his sermons that preached about God being all powerful and only the people who had faith would be saved.

Edwards and Whitfield both increased the act of religious practices but at the same time made ministers lose some of their authority due to increased freedom of religion given to the people. With the loss of the authority, the colonists gained the mindset that they could make many religious decisions without addressing a higher official. Due to the fact of questioning authority, new religious diversity became a factor in result of the increased freedom given to the colonists which in return brought about a more democratic society. In addition to The Great Awakening, immigration played a vital role in the shape of the democratic society today. In the eighteenth century, the population proliferated to more than a million people in the American colonies. Not only were the British people immigrating into the colonies but people from Western and Central Europe.

The English, Germans, Scotch-Irish, Africans, and other Europeans immigrated to the American colonies to pursue a new life in the new land. Many people arrived in the colonies to start a new life, escape war, or as an economic opportunity. Although the Africans did not come by free will, they were the largest group of non-English immigrants that came to the American colonies. Due to the increased population, the economies diversity contributed and helped the colonies flourish. Also, a monetary system was put in place and transportation became more vital to the people of the colonies. Because of the diverse groups of people immigrating into the colonies, the cultures became extremely diverse as well. The diversity resulted with more opportunities, leadership, and increased trade with other countries. All of these events were accomplished by the people who gave them power to change society as they wanted. The people realized the power presided in them which made the society become more democratic.

The Zenger Case was an event regarding the act of being prosecuted for libel printed about any political authorities. John Peter Zenger was brought to trial because he was accused of criticizing New York’s governor. Andrew Hamilton, who was Zenger’s lawyer, argued that Zenger was telling the truth about the governor. According to the English law, Zenger was guilty because anything negative printed against a royal authority was said to be a criminal act. He spoke and wrote his own words and opinions about New York’s governor and was acquitted. This case did not give any absolute people the absolute right to freedom of press but it did lead colonists to take greater risks in questioning and speaking about government.

The Zenger case contributed to a more democratic society through encouraging people to criticize the government more. The first amendment of the U.S. Constitution, which states freedom of the press, is an example of society becoming more democratic because the amendment gave colonists a sense of power that colonies could impact the federal government to choose in the colonist’s favors. The Great Awakening, immigration, and The Zenger case all contributed to society becoming more democratic through religious freedom, questioning of the government’s rules, and diversity of other cultures. Due to the spark of independence that came with these events, the government introduced the Bill of Rights, which gave every colonist inalienable rights as an individual, which is the basis of a democratic society. Without these vital events, the American colonies could not have developed into the democratic society that exists today.