A History of the American People

Peaceful and Violent Methods to Oppose the British Policies

In order to display disagreement, colonies protested in a peaceful way. This protest had an economic nature being triggered by non-importation movement. The Americans were encouraged by this movement to block purchasing British goods because of stamp tax. In 1767, the tactics of boycott was revived in Boston town meeting. Later, the other port cities, such as Newport, Providence, and New York joined the boycott. The colonies formed and developed ‘non-importation association’ with the aim of stimulating local industry. This economic method got a great appeal in rural districts and small towns that previously had not participated in anti-British struggle (Faragher et. al, 2009, p. 139).

During the time of the British occupation, colonies protested against the Empire’s actions. The ways of protests were both violent and peaceful. Admittedly, the most significant of protests were economic and violent ones. The violent protests appeared when people provided physical attack to tax collectors. There were cases when the houses of governmental and civil servants were attacked and ransacked (Cagliano, 2011). In 1773, the situation turned out to be much more violent. It happened because the Parliament infuriated Americans. Irrational food taxation turned resistance into the scale violent rebellion. The demonstrations and violent resistance spread throughout the colonies. The American opponents of the Act provided the dead letter through violence, intimidation, and threat by colonies (Faragher et. al., 2009, p. 141).

Peaceful economic protests were more successful. They prompted Britain to change some policies related to their colonies in America. Admittedly, British colonial imports declined by above 41 percent as a result of colonies efforts. Unfortunately, they did not prevent the war. Usually, violence leads to violence in turn. Therefore, economic peaceful protests were more acceptable and effective.

Regions of English Colonial America during the 1700s

There were four major colonies of English colonial America during the 1700s. They were Middle, New England, Southern Colonies, and the Backcountry.

Farming in New England Colonies was a challenge. The soil was rocky. The winter was too long, so the growing season was not enough for farming. According to this issue, New England Colonies did not need so many slaves as other British colonies of America. In the 1770s, the Puritans and Anglican Church were losing their power in New England and other colonies of America. It happened because people came from different areas, so there appeared the mix of different religions. The church had no impact on politics because of the loss of the power. The major ways to gain money were fishing, whaling, ships building, and blacksmithing (Faragher et. al., 2009, p. 109).

The Middle Colonies had relatively good climate. Therefore, farming was a good way to make money. These colonies were famous for their mills and bread production. In the Middle Colonies, there was a variety of jobs. The major occupations were brick maker, silversmith, tailor, farmer, and glass blower (Faragher et. al., 2009, p.  110).

Farming was best developed in Southern Colonies. There were three main crops used in farming: indigo, tobacco, and rice. Due to the developed farming, there were a lot of plantations often considered as separate independent towns. Slavery greatly contributed to the Southern Colonies’ development, because slaves were a huge working force at the plantations (Johnson, 2009).

Life in the Backcountry was hard, because its territory mainly consisted of woods and streams. The climate varied from place to place. Native Americans avoided such places, so servants and newlyweds mainly lived there. The main way to earn money in Backcountry was trading and wooding (Faragher et. al., 2009, p. 110).

The Foreign Policy of T. Roosevelt and W. Taft

President Roosevelt insisted that American’s interests are the world’s interests. In 1908, when Roosevelt retired, William Howard Taft became his successor. As compared with Roosevelt, Taft brought a much more restrain concepts to White House during his presidency. He supported major progressive measures (Faragher et. al., 2009, p. 583). Therefore, Roosevelt and other progressives were alienated by Taft.

In the 1990s, Big Stick and Dollar Diplomacy were foreign policies. Big Stick was Roosevelt’s administration that provided big standing army. It means if they did not get what they wanted through diplomacy, they got it through the force (Faragher, 2009, p. 593). Dollar Diplomacy was adopted by Taft. According to it, money was the major means to realize the diplomacy. Dollar Diplomacy brought policy inside other countries. Taft’s Dollar Diplomacy gave the best result as compared to other policies used at that time by different politicians. If to compare Roosevelt’s and Taft’s policies, it is seen that Roosevelt’s policy focused on military while Taft’s policy concentrated on business (Faragher, 2009, p. 595). Taft has implemented Dollar Diplomacy all over the world. He considered that the USA should increase investment in other countries in order to maintain and increase its power. Dollar Diplomacy increased the USA’s control in the majority of Latin American countries.

The Political Philosophy of Eugene V. Debt

Eugene Victor Debt was a labor organizer and Socialist Party candidate for the position of the USA presidents. He advocated for the labor organization by industries rather than by crafts. Debt was a president of American Railway Union. He was neither hardheaded nor intellectual politic. However, he gained his success due to his personal integrity, sincerity, and warmth. Debt was experienced and extremely effective public speaker. He earned his living as a contributor to different periodicals and a lecturer. He is considered to be an organizer of the today’s community. He was a founder of the Social Democratic Party.

In 1912, during the presidential election, Debt got his strongest showing. He gained a special popularity in areas with populist traditions and strong labor movements. Socialists led by Eugene V. Debt pushed both Wilson and Roosevelt towards the left. Debt was trying to abolish the existing system and the crimes it brings (Faragher et. al., 2009, p. 584). He was the most radical choice for electorate.