APUSH Chapters 1-8 Quotes

Quotes, Significance, and Context

"Who of those in future centuries will believe this? I myself who am writing this and saw it and know the most about it can hardly believe that such was possible." (16)

Context:
- Bartolome de Las Casa (1474-1566)believed that the Spanish treatment of Native Americans was horrendous and was so appalled by the encomienda system, he called it a "moral pestilence invented by Satan." He was a Domincan friar and even wrote the Destruction of the Indies to demonstrate how awful the fate of the Native Americans were.

Significance:
This quote was significance because it illuminates how even Spanish missionaries wanted the king to act in response to the conquistadors' abuse of the indigenous population

"There is under our noses the great and ample country of Virginia; the inland whereofis found of late to be so sweet and wholesome a climate, so rich and abundant in silver mines, a better and richer country than Mexico itself. If it shall please the Almighty to stir up Her Majesty's heart to continue with transporting one or two thousand of her people, she shall by God's assistance, in short space, increase her dominions, enrich her coffers, and reduce many pagans to the faith of Christ." (28)

Context:
After the Spanish Armada, the English writer Richard Hakluyt was trying to covince English colonization in the New World. The Spanish Armada finally gave the English people a chance to explore the Americas, without Spanish interference. With Hakluyt's consisten push for exploration, the English finally ventured into Virginia and started their exploration. The broader context is that this was during a period of time where competitions between European superpowers was skyrocketing. Britain, France, Dutch, Spain, Portugal, etc. were all competing for land.

Significance: The significance is that this landing in Virginia would start the first permanent settlement of the British. Because it was the first, every other thing in American history kinda anchors on its eventual success.

"be disarmed [and] have his arms broken and his tongue bored through with an awl [and] shall pass through a guard of 40 men and shall be butted [with muskets] by every one of them and at the head of the troop kicked down and footed out of the fort." (30)

Context:
Shows the strict rules of Lord de la Warre in Jamestown and how defiances against the governer was punished. During this time period, the colony of Jamestown was failing with everyone dying of disease, however after Warr became governor, the Virginina military started strengthening. However, the Native Americans were not the only ones being punished because the colonists faced similar charges for defiance. He employed harsh "Irish tactics" on the colonists during a time where Jamestown was struggling (First Anglo-Powhatan War) Although harsh, his tactics worked to start bringing the colony back. This was a part of a larger context of early clonial struggle and the difficulty of forming a successful colony.

Significance:
because it shows that colonization was not always glorious and the colonists suffered not only from disease, but also leadership and defiance. Without de La Warr, the most successful colony (Virginia) may have failed and many things would never have happened. (Rolfe introducing tobacco, House of Burgesses, money, etc.)

"If any Negro or slave whatsoever shall offer any violence to any Christian by striking or the like, such Negro or slave shall for his or her first offence be severely whipped by the Constable. For his second offence of that nature he shall be severely whipped, his nose slit, and be burned in some part of his face with a hot iron. And being brutish slaves, [they] deserve not, for the baseness of their condition, to be tried by the legal trial of twelve men of their peers, as the subjects of England are. And it is further enacted and ordained that if any Negro or other slave under punishment by his master unfortunately shall suffer in life or member, which seldom happens, no person whatsoever shall be liable to any fine therefore." (Barbados Slave Code, 1661) (36)

Context:
In some parts of the Americas in the mid-late 1600s, slavery was already widespread. The Caribbean islands, also known as the West Indies, had already been colonized and needed "slave codes," a set of statements that defined the rights of a slave to prevent them from uprising. The Barbados slave code of 1661 was put into place because the slaves outnumbered the settlers/plantation owners nearly 4:1.

Significance: The Barbados slave codes denied the fundamental rights of slaves which gave their owners complete control over them. This ensured that the slaves would not be able to create a large-scale revolt in the sugar islands. Slave-owning colonies in North America adopted the slave code. In the long-term, this would be a policy that would contribute to racism and slavery justification in the U.S.

"Thus out of small beginnings, greater things have been produced by His hand that made all things of nothing, and gives being to all things that are; and, as one small candle may light here kindled, hath shone unto many, yea in some sort to our whole nation." (45)

(William Bradford) Context:

After the founding of the Plymouth Colony in 1620, the Puritans started from a very humble place. They were a very small colony and the first of the Northern colonies. Because of their Puritan values, their leaders like William Bradford and John Winthrop relied heavily on the idea that the colony was driven by God. Puritans believed that they were God’s children and that, God willing, (with hard work) the colony would succeed.

Significance: As one of the very first colonies, Plymouth was a test-run just as Roanoke and Jamestown were. By succeeding, it proved to the British Empire that colonies could thrive. Also, Plymouth created the Mayflower Compact which would be one of the very first colonial independent “governments” established. This played a key role in the mindsets of the colonists come time to the revolution. Some believed that because they were God’s children, they could do no wrong while others believed they were imperfect with human nature.

"for having protected, favored, and emboldened the Indians against His Majesty's loyal subjects, never contriving, requiring, or appointing any due or proper means of satisfaction for their many invasions, robberies, and murders committed upon us." (68)

Context:
Nathaniel Bacon assailed Virgnia's Governor William Berkely in 1676. Nathaniel Bacon led a thousand Virginians into a rebellion against the governor for forcing them into the backcountry for arable lands. They were extremely angry with the governor because they resented Berkeley's friendly policies towards the Indians. When Berekely refused to relaliate against the Indain attacks, Bacon and his followers took matters into their own hands. This shows the broader context on what many friendly Americans faced. Just like in Pennsylvania where they tried to make peace, other people did not want peace and raised tensions with the natives.

Significance: The significance of this was that black and white servants were united and that scared Berkeley. In order to solve the issue of increasing poor frontiersmen, Virginia would rely on slaves instead of indentured servants. That way, there will be no more problems about Indian attacks on frontier land since laborers are now enslaved to the land.

"No country yields a more propitious air for our temper than New England... Many of our people that have found themselves always weak and sickly at home, have become strong and healthy there; perhaps by the dryness of the air and constance temperature of it, which seldom varies from cold to heat, as it does with us...Neither are the natives at any time troubled with the pain of teeth, soreness of eyes, or ache in their limbs." (77)

Context: European conditions were disease ridden and the land was cleared for resources. Tight living conditions and poor sanitary practices made disease rampant. In the Americas, there was clean air and water which reduced disease among the Europeans. This was especially true of New England than other colonies. The broader context is how disease helped the Europeans attain land as their diseases were spread to the Indians that often died and they were resistant to their diseases.

Signifcance:
This was significant as the better environment led to an increase in life expectancy by 10 years. This gave them a sense of familial stability as people married young and lived long enough to see grandchildren. (This also encouraged more Europeans to come to the Americas to raise a family one day???)

Franklin's Poor Richard's Almanack contained such thoughts on religion as "A good example is the best sermon.'' "Many have quarreled about religion that never practiced it.'' "Serving God is doing good to man, but praying is thought an easier service, and therefore more generally chosen.'' "How many observe Christ's birthday; how few his precepts! O! 'tis easier to keep holidays than commandments." (96)

Context:
This is written during a time that Christian values were being emphasized in America. Different Christian ideas started being more tolerated/accepted. The broader context is that this was a part of The Great Awakening which was largely carried out by George Whitefield that preached that the only savior from hellfire was by Jesus's grace.

Significance: The Great Awakening was a movement that occurred in all colonies, it created a sense of unity.

"The God that holds you over the pit of hell, much as one holds a spider or some loathsome insect over the fire, abhors you, and is dreadfully provoked. His wrath toward you burns like fire; he looks upon you as worthy of nothing else but to be cast into the fire.'' (97)

Context:
Jonathan Edwards was the preacher that said this. He preached emotionally and fiery. The larger context is that this was taken up by George Whitefield who was a great orator that spread his views around the colonies.

Significance:
The Great Awakening then led to more of a unity in the U.S..

(Andrew Hamilton) "The question before the court and you, gentlemen of the jury, is not of small nor private concern. It is not the cause of a poor printer, nor of New York alone, which you are now trying. No! It may, in its consequence, affect every freeman that lives under a British government on the main [land] of America. It is the best cause. It is the cause
of liberty.'' (101)

Context: During the colonial era, printers and newspapers were quite common and very popular. In 1734, John Peter Zenger, a newspaper printer in New York, printed a harsh criticism of the corrupt royal governor of New York and was charged with seditious libel. Andrew Hamilton, his lawyer, eloquently defended him and successfully won him his innocence.

Significance: Hamilton's eloquent defense of Zenger won Zenger his case and innocence. The Zenger case served as a precedent that true statements--no matter how derogatory--about public officials, could not be prosecuted as libel. It was a crucial first step towards Freedom of the Press, and from then on, many printers throughout the colonies were better able to safely publish criticisms of the government.

"It was not Virginia that wanted a governor but a court favorite that wanted a salary.'' (102)

Context:
Since Virginia was a crown colony, the Governor was appointed by the crown. Often, the governors were not chosen based on merit but because someone wanted more money or power. The greater context is the attempt at British rule of the colonies from thousands of miles away. The colonists do not like this as they are being taxed without being represented.

Significance: The significance of this was that this served at an early example of no representation. The Americans grew content to British officials as they were 3000 miles away making those decisions.

"A torch lighted in the forests of America set all Europe in conflagration." (106)

Context:
Spoken by Voltaire in 1756. The context was about the 7 years war that started in America in 1754 and ended in 1763. A broader context was really that ever since Columbus sparked interest with European leaders, they have constantly been competing for the land.

Significance:
This quote is significant because it shows how the 7 years war started with a small territorial dispute in the Americas, but then turned into a world war. This was the first war that completely prompted the American fervor.

"...for fire and water are not more heterogeneous than the different colonies in North America. Nothing can exceed the jealousy and emulation which they possess in regard to each other...In short...were they left to themselves there would soon be a civil war from one end of the continent to the other, while the Indians and Negros would... impatiently watch the opportunity of exterminating them all together." (120)

Context:

"The Reverend Andrew Burnaby, an observant Chirch of England clergyman who visited the colonies in the closing months of the Seven Years' War, scoffed at any possibility of unification (1760):

During this time, there was still contempt towards people for being too tolerant and towards people not being tolerant. NC resented Virginia and SC as they were prospering, etc. The colonies were like separate nations trying to come together. The greater context is that colonies would have fierce debates over ideas. While this division is going on, Indians and Africans were being mistreated. If they united while they were divided, they could take charge.

Significance:

The division of the colonies would actually come to some sort of a unity to rebel against the British, After that, their division resumed and each wanted a pretty weak central government in the Articles of Confederation.

"To prohibit a great people, however, from making all that they can of every part of their own produce, or from employing their stock and industry in the way that they judge most advantageous to themselves, is a manifest violation of the most sacred rights of mankind." (123)

Context:
At this point, the British had to tax and tariff a lot of American goods. However, they denied any representation for the colonies in Parliament. This is a part of the larger context of British values. According to enlightenment ideas from Britain like the social contract and Magna Carta, if the people were dissatisfied they could opt out of the government's control. The other idea of capitalism played an important role as they believed in freer market.

Significance:
This "taxation without representation" led to significant outrage in the Americas. The British had control of America without any say from Americans.

The Boston Gazette declared in 1765,
"A colonist cannot make a button, a horseshoe, nor a hobnail, but some snooty ironmonger or respectable buttonmaker of Britain shall bawl and squall that his honor's worship is most egregiously maltreated, injured, cheated, and robbed by the rascally American republicans." (124)

Context:
The colonies were being taxed very heavily by Britain after the Seven Years' War. This is apart of a larger context of mercantilistic policies in the colonies. The colonies served as a way to get raw resources that the mother country would make finished products out of and sell. This was likely a response to the Stamp Act

Significance:
The significance of this quote is that it shows that the colonies started wanting economic freedom from Britain. This is significant because America would eventually gain this independence and apply these capitalist policies from the enlightenment period rather than mercantilist controlling policies.

(136) (George Washington) "To place any dependence upon militia is assuredly resting on a broken staff. . . . The sudden change in their manner of living . . . brings on sickness in many, impatience in all, and such an unconquerable desire of returning to their respective homes that it not only produces shameful and scandalous desertions among themselves, but infuses the like spirit in others. . . . If I was called upon to declare upon oath whether the militia have been most serviceable or hurtful upon the whole, I should subscribe to the latter."

Context:
While the British army was professionally trained and well-supplied, the Revolutionary army primarily consisted of militia and frequently had trouble obtaining supplies. In particularly harsh conditions, such as at Valley Forge, morale would drop low and desertion would become common. In this quote, Washington emphasizes the fickle and untrustworthy nature of much of the militia.

Significance:
This quote shows that during the war, the Americans were often at a disadvantage and during those times, morale would drop and desertion would become common. The quote also provides an example of one of the major weaknesses of the Revolutionaries: poor training and low supplies. These two flaws were major hurdles that Washington needed to overcome if he wanted to win the Revolution.

(143) "The nearer any government approaches to a republic the less business there is for a king. It is somewhat difficult to find a proper name for the government of England. Sir William Meridith calls it a republic; but in its present state, it is unworthy of the name, because of the corrupt influence of the crown, by having all the places in its disposal, hath so effectively swallowed up the power, and eaten out the virtue of the house of commons that the government of England is nearly as monarchical as that of France and Spain." ~Common Sense, Thomas Paine."

Context:

Thomas Paine played a key role in the ideas in Americans’ heads. Initially, all most Americans wanted from Britain was representation in the government. Paine claimed that representation in a colony is incompatible with the interests of the King. This idea would not fully settle in the minds of the Americans until well after the Declaration of Independence was written.

Significance:

Common Sense helped develop the idea of American Identity. Most colonies were like separate nations, but they shared one thing in common--the desire for representation. This convinced some people to cross over and be a Revolutionary instead of just demanding change. America had to become an independent Republic now.

The American signers of the Declaration of Independence had reason to fear for their necks. In 1802, twenty-six years later, George III (1738-1820) approved this death sentence for seven Irish rebels:
". . . [You] are to be hanged by the neck, but not until you are dead; for while you are still living your bodies are to be taken down, your bowels torn out and burned before your faces, your heads then cut off, and your bodies divided each into four quarters, and your heads and quarters to be then at the King's disposal; and may the Almighty God have mercy on your souls." (146)

Context: The context of this is that Ireland generally wanted their independence from Britain for a very long time. The Irish were persecuted in Britain and they were thought of as lower class.

Significance: The Irish immigrated to America to escape Catholic persecution. They wanted to separate from the British. They were treated the same way as indentured servants and lesser people in America too.

After concluding the alliance, France sent a minister to America, to the delight of one Patriot journalist:
"Who would have thought that the American colonies, imperfectly known in Europe a few years ago and claimed by every pettifogging lawyer in the House of Commons, every cobbler in the beer-houses of London, as a part of their property, should to-day receive an ambassador from the most powerful monarchy in Europe." (155)

Context:
During the Revolutionary War, many ordinary Americans were drafted to fight in the war because there weren't enough soldiers in the Continental Army to face the British. Besides, the American military had no navy, were equipped with substandard weapons, and had very little money. As such, life in the American army was tough and harsh. Also during the Revolutionary War period, many people were corrupt, greedy, and selfish. Since there was barely any government in the first few months of American independence, there was corruption, people using national money for personal finance, and venality. Life was not-so-great in Revolutionary America, which angered some people that wanted everyone to lead a virtuous life.

Significance:
This quote demonstrates that not everyone was appreciating the effort and work American soldiers put in to keep everyone else safe in this time. Although America was founded to give freedom and liberties to everybody, it certainly is not living up to the ideals that it is supposed to live up to. This quote also shows that many of the militiamen hated the side they were fighting for, stating that they "vented [their] spleen[s]" at the US government, officers, and even the public. Since many people of America at that time were engaging in acts solely to benefit themselves, these soldiers feel like they are underappreciated by American society and have reason to despise the people they were fighting for.

Baron von Steuben (1730-1794), a Prussian general who helped train the Continental Army, found the Americans to be very different from other soldiers he had known. As von Steuben explained to a fellow European,
"The genius of this nation is not in the least to be compared with that of the Prussians, Austrians, or French. You say to your soldier, 'Do this' and he doeth it; but I am obliged to say, 'This is the reason why you ought to do that,' and then he does it." (158)

Context:
The American soldiers had a very different fighting style compared to the Europeans, and they also had different views on war in general. The American fighting style was considered to be the way of the "savages," because of their similarities to the native american's fighting style. This was also part of the reason why the colonists were seen as inferior by the British. In Europe, war was seen as a more gentlemanly encounter, with a fighting style where everyone was lined up and facing each other. This was one of the reasons why Baron von Steuben was brought in to train the soldiers under George Washington. The bulk of the soldiers in the Continental Army was made up of militia, who had no real experience of fighting or training to fight, and they also had no recognition by their European counterparts. For this reason, Steuben was tasked to turn the American militia into a professional army that could be comparable to the Europeans. He was able to instill discipline into the Continental Army and also brought a lot of European know-hows that the colonists lacked. Many of the generals that were brought to the US were inspired by the Enlightenment.

Significance:
This quote shows the cultural differences between the Europeans and the Americans. Within Europe, hierarchical society was extremely enforced, if someone in a higher position ordered their subordinate to do something, then the subordinate was obliged to do it whether they felt it was right or not. However, this quote emphasized the American identity that the colonists had. As a new republic, the colonists were used to figuring out everything by themselves, and they greatly valued having a say in what's going on.