Colonial America is a period that was marked by many activities that were significant in the history of contemporary America. This is because the period involved various activities that defined the status of America and its people. One of the most significant aspects that are drawn back to colonial America is the issue of boundaries. The colonial period in America shaped the current American territories as it formed one of the issues between the people and the colonialists. Thus, there is a need to explore colonial America by delving into critical aspects that defined the shape of colonial America.
The Revolutionary War escalated as the issue of boundaries between the United States and other British colonies intensified. Lack of standard territory lines and the need by the American people to defend what they believed was the supposed boundaries created a drift between the colonies. The image below from Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions and Arbitrations represents the territories that were agreed to end the Revolutionary War.
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This map was drawn from the Mitchell map that had designed different boundaries for the British colonies. The red lines are the territories that were agreed upon to identify the United States from Spanish territories and other British colonies. The 1775 map is significant because it helped in defining the boundaries between the United States and Canada. This is a critical stage in colonial America that can be attributed to the urge for sovereignty. The issue of territories led to the separation of the current United States from other colonial territories. This is one of the steps that marked the end of the Revolutionary War.
The end of the Revolutionary War led to the Paris treaty, which was significant in determining the status of the new United States. This was specifically about the new territories of the United States and other British colonies after the agreement to end the Revolutionary War had been reached. The map below from the peace signed at Versailles in January 1783 shows the new boundaries that were established after the end of the war.
This map was significant because it separated the United States from other British possessions such as Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The Treaty of Paris was led by Benjamin Franklin, John Jay, and John Adams with the representatives of Great Britain administration. The treaty also led to the recognition of the United States as an independent country. The size of the United States also doubled as it expanded its boundaries towards the west.
The end of the Revolutionary War marked the end of the United States' wrangles with the British colonies but paved the way for another war. This time, Spain also wanted to take a share of the United States boundaries as attained by the treaty in Paris. The United States, on the other hand, wanted to expand its cover but was fiercely opposed by the Spanish administration. This is an event that is portrayed by the famous cartoonist, Clifford Berryman. The cartoons labeled "As Inseparable as Ruth and Naomi" tried to prove the bond that was there between the United States possession through its constitution and flag, and its boundaries. The image below shows the cartoon of Ruth and Naomi, and in the context of colonial America, it conceptualized the possessions of the United States.
The cartoonist, through his portrays, supported the extension of the United States citizenship to other territorial residents.
The end of boundary wars provided an opportunity for the reorganization of the United States, especially in its army. This is an aspect that forced President Franklin to organize military recruitment that would be effective than the previous one. This came on before the surge in World War II and amid the threats posed by Japan. In the audio retrieved from https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/fdr-selective-service-day , President Franklin is recorded mobilizing the United States citizens to join the army. The registration was selective and targeted indigenous Americans to lead the pack. President Franklin recognized the importance of an organized army and its role in defending the United States territories. This was the genesis of the strongest army that would stand any challenge from the enemy.
In June 1944, President Franklin is fronted by his party for a fourth presidential nomination. In what has been an exceptional event for a president to be nominated more than thrice of presidential candidature, President Franklin successfully beat the odds. In the speech recorded from the Pacific naval coast ( https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/franklin-d-roosevelt-accepts-fourth-term-nomination-video ), President Franklin acknowledges the nomination and talks about post-war preparations. This is because he was optimistic about the impending win in the fourth term. President Franklin was focused on continuing with what he had started during his prior terms. However, his dreams did not last for long as he died less than a year in his fourth presidential reign.
Summarily, colonial America was dominated by different types of activities. The Revolutionary War is one of the notable events that took place in colonial America. This was a war that primarily involved the issues of boundaries and sovereignty. The aftermath of the revolutionary war led to independent America and established boundaries from other British colonies. Despite the independence of the United States, the need to expand its territories led to the conflict with the Spanish. These events were followed by a demonstration of Americans' possession through publishing such as cartoons of Ruth and Naomi. Besides, the presidency of Franklin Roosevelt experienced significant events. These included World War II and the seeking of a fourth term. This is a factor that led to the set of presidential limit to two terms. Thus colonial America was a period that the stage of many happenings that helped in shaping the history of the United States.
References
Cartoon U-064; As Inseparable as Ruth and Naomi; 3/2/1900; Berryman Political Cartoon Collection, 1896-1949; Records of the U.S. Senate, Record Group 46; National Archives Building, Washington DC, 20408. https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/inseparable-ruth-naomi, November 22, 2019.
Carto Series 27; Annotated Map of the British Colonies in North America with the Roads, Distances, Limits, and Extent of the Settlements; 1775; Maps and Related Records Pertaining to the Northeastern Boundary of the United States, 1796 - 1798; Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions and Arbitrations, Record Group 76. https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/annotated-map-of-the-british-colonies-in-north-america-with-the-roads-distances-limits-and-extent-of-the-settlements, November 22, 2019.
Carto Series 8, Map No. 19; Map of the United States of America with the British Possessions and Spanish Territories; ca. 1800; Maps Related to the Northeastern Boundary of the United States, 1827 - 1828; Records of Boundary and Claims Commissions and Arbitrations, Record Group 76; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/map-us-british, November 22, 2019.
Sound Recording 200.142; Franklin Roosevelt's Address to the Democratic National Convention; 7/20/1944; Sound Recordings of Broadcasts, 1927 - 1962; Collection NBC: National Broadcasting Company, Inc.; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/fdr-dnc, November 22, 2019.
Sound Recording 200.201A; President Franklin Roosevelt's Radio Address on Selective Service Registration Day; 10/16/1940; Sound Recordings of Franklin D. Roosevelt Speeches, 1935 - 1945; Collection IBM: International Business Machines Corporation Collection; National Archives at College Park, College Park, MD. https://www.docsteach.org/documents/document/fdr-selective-service-day, November 22, 2019.
