Historical Context Collage by Gretchen Monroe

Instructions

gmonroe4 — 2024-11-12 17:24:38 UTC

• Add one post to each section (Phillis Wheatley, Samuel Occom, and Declaration of Independence) by clicking the "+" under the section. Put your name at the top of your post. Feel free to take your picture with it!

• For each post, include a relevant image, video, or historical document that represents either the historical context or the figure's contribution to American identity.

• In the body of each post, explain how your chosen visual element connects to the development of American identity

• Review your classmates' posts and comment on at least two that offer unique perspectives. A "good" comment would focus on the specific ideas in classmates' post, and how that adds to your understanding.

• Your combined contributions will help us develop a working definition of early American identity.

2024-11-12 19:41:02 UTC

Halle Lafler

This is a map of the locations of Samson Occum's ministry. He focussed mainly on areas where the Natives were still "un reached". He wanted to take the Gospel to those who had not yet been taught by means of Christianity.

Livi

2024-11-12 19:41:22 UTC

In this picture, you can see that the pilgrims are taken aback by the arrival of the Indians. This applies to Samson Occum's American identity showing his relationship with the people around him--he doesn't look the same as them, therefore he is different, therefore he is inferior.

Molly Moenning

2024-11-12 19:42:50 UTC

I find that this image is relates to the history of Samuel Occom, because it shows Christians sharing their faith with Native Americans. Samuel Occom discovered Christianity by the means of the evangelical colonists.

Sophia

2024-11-12 19:43:25 UTC

This picture encapsulates who Samuel Occom was. He was a Native American schoolmaster who was converted to Christianity at age 17 by Christian ministers. Ever since that moment, he strived to introduce children and his people about God with prayer and continual preaching.

Turner

turnerhohlen — 2024-11-12 19:43:36 UTC

Samuel Occom was a man who spent his life teaching Native Americans, leading a church for them, and taking the news of Jesus to them. Samuel Occom grew up as an Indian, and was witnessed to by a white man who converted him to Christianity. So this picture represents a white man sharing the Gospel with the Indian people. This connects to American identity because it shows how there were many unique people groups with different views, but they all were very firm in their values and were led to share their beliefs with others like the man in the picture.

Ben Mooss

2024-11-12 19:44:30 UTC

This is a statue of Phillis located in Boston. This representation of her shows her in deep thought. Phillis had an incredible contribution in reshaping the supposed racial and gender boundaries in literature in America. As the first writer who was both African American and a woman, Phillis was incredibly gifted in writing about the injustices in America and longing for brotherhood and equality.

2024-11-12 19:44:45 UTC

Halle Lafler

This is a mind map that represents the connections of ideas found within the Declaration of Independence. It represents how the Founding Fathers put great time and effort into creating a document that encapsulated all of the values they wished America would be founded upon.

grantdehaan — 2024-11-12 19:45:37 UTC

This image is an illustration of how expectations let us down. Occum's ministry was very impactful to so many people, and he was able to find a sense of fulfillment in that, but when it came to his expectations that he would be excepted for who he was and what he was doing, he was let down and extremely disappointed. It says in his texts that he received 1 year's usual wages for 12 years of work because he was a "poor Indian." He had expectations of being welcomed and having equality in America, but he did not receive this, which led to his dissapointment

2024-11-12 19:45:44 UTC

This is an image of Occum village in Connecticut which still stands today. Although he never got full recognition or pay from the Europeans, the Indians recognized him as the first native minister.

Molly Moenning

2024-11-12 19:48:19 UTC

This image shows the British trying to gain control of early American colonies. The main purpose of the declaration is to begin a country the independent from the controlling English.

Kaylee

2024-11-12 19:48:40 UTC

This is a painting of the gathering when creating and signing the Declaration of Independence. It shows the hope they have for this country and the determination. They also are doing meeting as a group, just giving the idea that our nation and the people involved in this new country should be unified. This meeting, and the people involved are displaying many traits they desire as the nation continues.

Molly Moenning

2024-11-12 19:53:19 UTC

I this this image has historical relevance because she's shown writing and thinking. From what we know of this time period, this would have been considered a great privilege for people of color.

2024-11-12 20:05:42 UTC

Samuel Occom was a man who dedicated his life to teach the Native Americans, also used his knowledge to lead churches in hopes of growing Gods Kingdom. Since he was introduced to Christianity, his life goal transformed after learning of it through new coming Christian colonists spreading the gospel.

Kaylee

2024-11-12 20:06:31 UTC

This man, Samuel Occum, was very respected and involved in so much of his peoples culture and daily lives. He may not have gained the recognition or reward he deserved. Yet he was content and had a mindset allowed the nation flourish.

Jessa

2024-11-12 20:07:03 UTC

This document talks about Occum getting tricked by his friend, Wheelock. His character was ruined due to a rumor that Wheelock started. His funds were used for Dartmouth Collage, instead of Indian school Iccum hoped to support. He also was underpayed which led to his family living in poverty. He was also manipulated. This connects to American identity because it shows that not everyone was seen as equal. That the indians were veiwed as inferior, and that led to them getting taken advantage of.

Maci

2024-11-12 20:07:06 UTC

I think that this accurately demonstrates the motive of Samuel Occom, who was an Indian preacher converted to christianity at age 17. He felt there were certain people group that needed to hear the gospel. He spent his time with children and adults in prayer and preaching to them about Jesus.

2024-11-12 20:10:41 UTC

The painting above shows the vision of the Founding Fathers who came together in order to write the Constitution. In hopes of achieving the common goal - make the US an independent country from Britain and create a country dedicated to the principles of equality and justice.

kaylee

2024-11-12 20:23:04 UTC

This image is a page from her book which was published during a time when people of color and more specifically women, weren't able to make literature and have these rights. Yet she was able to create this book and somewhat change the way of others thinking.

Sophia

2024-11-12 20:23:12 UTC

This painting shows the "Committee of Five", or the founders of the Declaration of Independence. They are confident in their vision and hope to reach the people in order to prove how serious they are about the Independence from Britain and how important it was for our nation overall.

2024-11-12 20:25:09 UTC

I think that this shows the Americans fighting for the their independence from the tyrannical leaders of the British crown. the Declaration of Independence is one of the biggest documents in American history becuase it is declaring our independence from Britain.

2024-11-12 20:26:27 UTC

This painting illustrates Wheatley in deep thought. At this point in history, people of differing color weren't seen as humans, although she seems to have a mind of her own. From one idea, she produces poetry that will forever change the hearts of her readers. She speaks about the absence of equality in a country that believes most people are equal but not all a reoccurring issue throughout history.

Jessa

2024-11-12 20:28:31 UTC

This picture is used to represent the stamp act. This was one of the many acts that the British government put on the colonies. This act took away some of the colonies freedom and made them want liberity from Britian. You can see in the Declaration of Indpendence that they wanted freedom from Britians due to all of the abuses put on them. This creates the identity that American values freedom and liberaty.

2024-11-12 20:29:01 UTC

phillis Wheatley is a woman of much courage, who felt it necessary to voice her opinion about racial superiority in America. she experienced the brutality of the American culture, and wanted to spark a change within the country. when she came, she had heard of this great faith. she wrote many poems talking about how there is still hope for america.

Sophia

2024-11-12 20:31:53 UTC

This image of Phillis Wheatley show her writing one of her poems. She was a genius woman of color that was optimistic through and through despite her not-so-warm welcome into the United States. She was passionate about her writings and, with the help of white folks, was able to publish her writings and become famous, which was very rare during that time period with people of color.

Livi

2024-11-12 20:31:55 UTC

This song is very patriotic. If you look at the lyrics, he talks about how he's proud to be an American, because here he is free. He loves this land, saying "God bless the USA". We are privileged to live in this land, and this song highlights the idea of that, relating to the Declaration of Independence. The Declaration is the foundation of the freedom of our nation. It states that we are free, equal, and unified; this song says why we should be happy about that.

2024-11-12 20:35:10 UTC

Halle Lafler

This is the emblem of Phillis Wheatley High School in Houston, Texas. This school was named after Phillis Wheatley because of her immense impact on early America. They seek to provide in depth resources for their students as well as assisting in those learning the English language.

Livi

2024-11-12 20:36:24 UTC

This image shows the mad respect that Phillis gained from her many writings. Although she wasn't highly recognized when she started, her words meant something to the country of America. She wrote for a purpose she thought was worthy of people's time to dwell on. The results didn't come immediately, but when they did, it is shown that the people of America recognized her. Even though we don't know where she was buried, there is still a memorial of her so that the world remembers Phillis Wheatley

Jessa

2024-11-12 21:11:13 UTC

This is a picture of what the ship (phillis) that Phillis Wheatley would had traveled on to America. She was named after this ship. This name was imposed on her by people that view her as inferior. Her name was a example of how African Americans were looked down on. It shows that America idenity wasnt that all people are created equal and have rights but they only think that white people have these rights. They showed racism and hyprocritism.

Brady Watson

2024-11-12 22:33:12 UTC

This song by Michael Jackson is titled, "Black or White". It's a song that speaks of unity between all races and that love, and blood transcends all boundaries of color. This song relates to Phillis Wheatley because, like Michael Jackson, she directly challenges the culture on the issue of racism and judgement of because of skin tone and rather pushes for people to look on each other equally and as brothers of America and Christ.

Brady Watson

2024-11-12 22:43:57 UTC

This image shows and Indian woman, perhaps a guide for the Europeans, arguing angrily with the early explorers. This is similar to the feeling that Samuel Occom must have had with his pay for doing ministry just as well as white men, but not being paid as fairly because he was Indian. Occom and the Indian guide are angry about the dismissiveness of the White folk and Colonists because of their skin color rather than their character.

Brady Watson

2024-11-13 00:48:21 UTC

This picture represents the American Identity and what the Declaration of Independence did for them. The shackles of Britian and their oppressive laws had been hated, and now with the declaration, they are free to govern themselves without the restriction of Britian's government.

Brett Maher

2024-11-13 01:13:24 UTC

This picture is showing Occom sitting down. He is pointing to what looks to be the Bile in a way that makes you think he is sharing it with people. This idea of sharing the Gospel is very relevant back then as it still is today.

Hanna Colbert

2024-11-13 01:32:18 UTC

This image depicts the white man teaching, while Samuel is sitting down. I think this artist chose to have the white man teaching to depict that they were better at it than the native teachers. America has always had this underlying favor towards white men because it was normally the white men making these depictions. this correlates to Samuel's document because Samuel talked about how he thought the whites felt superior to him.

Hanna Colbert

2024-11-13 01:35:52 UTC

This image depicts the founding fathers drafting the Constitution. They are discussing the values that they want this nation to be built on. They came together with their differing opinions and agreed on the best way possible to advance this new nation. In the declaration, we see these ideas of their plan for the new country and the values of working together as the people and not being ruled by a king.

Hanna Colbert

2024-11-13 01:41:22 UTC

This image depicts her almost arguing with the men for her rights. in her time it was totally against the norm for a woman and especially a woman of color to be doing things like this. This photo depicts the hardship women had to go through to gain their rights and people like her who fought developed what we know in America today of freedom for ALL.

Turner

turnerhohlen — 2024-11-13 01:55:20 UTC

I think this image displays the defiance and determination that the colonists lived with and displayed in the Declaration of Independence. This connects to the development of American identity because the early people that founded America lived with a fiery spirit and attitude. They had an intense determination to support their unique values and see them shown in their country.

Turner

turnerhohlen — 2024-11-13 02:06:09 UTC

This image shows Phillis Wheatley as she writes, and it also shows her deep in thought as she does it. I think it is interesting how she is thinking deeply in the picture and it accurately displays the way she took great care to create a quality work in her writing and had deep beliefs about producing quality writings. This connects to the devlopment of American Identity because it shows the care and investment of the Americans in making the life they wanted. Instead of living secluded lives and keeping to themselves, a big part of early American Identity was the collective effort of many people thinking about what they wanted to be better in the world and then also having the desire to not just watch things happen passively, but to go make it happen.

Brett Maher

2024-11-13 02:18:29 UTC

In this painting. The artist is trying to depict a huge group of colonist coming together to write an article. This article will be the basis of America as it is today. It is incredible seeing that so many people came together to write about God in such texts. Looking at out world today if we were to rewrite a constitution i don't think we would have any Christian values in it.

grantdehaan — 2024-11-13 02:25:03 UTC

This is an interesting image of what America is built upon. There is a document in the center which in this case represents the Declaration of Independence. This photo has many physical representations of how American identity is rooted in unity. there are many American flags, which is the physical representation of American people as one country and one nation. There is the liberty bell, which celebrated the first time the Declaration of Independence was read out loud, declaring that all American people were finally independent from England. Lastly, the document in the center representing the Declaration of Independence. It says in the opening that "All men are created equal." I think that the key word is ALL. It creates a sense of unity as American Identity.

Brett Maher

2024-11-13 02:27:24 UTC

This painting show Wheatly in thought. It looks like she is writing a poem at her desk. This painting shows how much she cared about her writing and showing the world the racial injustices all around her.

Cooper Reed

2024-11-13 02:35:57 UTC

Though this image is comical, it represents a large part of the Declaration of Independence, well. The picture depicts the Colonists tearing down a statue of King George, and using it for ammunition against the British themselves. Not only does this show the desire for independence, it also shows the determination and somewhat ironic aspects of their/our character.

grantdehaan — 2024-11-13 02:44:35 UTC

This is a geode. The rock on the left is the geode when it is closed, but if you break it open, you see the image on the right. It is just a dull rock that most people don't see as valuable on the outside, but on the inside, it is beautiful. I think this is a theme that Phillis Wheatley tries to convey, especially in her work "To S.M. A Young African Painter, On Seeing His Works." She says, "When first thy pencil did those beauties give." She is complimenting this African Painter for how beautiful his works are, and what he is able to accomplish in his paintings. Most people disregard his works though, because he is black and on the outside they see something that is not valuable. But on the inside, he is very capable of producing beautiful works of art. Phillis is trying to hammer home the fact that their people, the people who are of different color, are beautiful and capable of beautiful things, if they would just get past the color of their skin.

Cooper Reed

2024-11-13 02:50:43 UTC

In this picture and in all the others I saw, Phillis Wheatley looked like she was pondering something. She used her skill in writing, to influence many. Since she was the second woman to publish anything in the US, and she was the first slave woman to do so, I think that was what made her highly influential, and her application of godly truths helped build America into what it is today.

Ben

2024-11-13 03:23:40 UTC

This is a painting of King George III. This man is the man who caused the Declaration of Independence to be written. In various ways he oppressed colonists living in America, causing them to want to break away from Great Britain and form their own government: one founded on the principles of liberty, equality, and freedom instead of having a tyrannical king that gave the people no say in anything.

Cooper Reed

2024-11-13 03:23:47 UTC

This picture reminds me of all of the things Saumel Occom accomplished. He wrote, overcame a language barrier, became a Christian, taught the Natives school and about God, and many other things. He showed determination, a desire to grow, a willingness to learn, and a desire for equal rights. His life was a representation of how America was founded, demonstrating its ideals of growth, equality, and God...

2024-11-13 03:38:29 UTC

In this image we can see a depiction of Phillis Wheatley. we can see that it is in a more modern art style. This is important because it shows just how much of an impact Wheatley had. She truly changed history and impacted the American's ideas around slavey, to a point that we still teach her story to the younger generations.

Ben

2024-11-13 03:59:27 UTC

This video explains the impact that Samson Occom had on America. This man showed incredible determination and resolve after converting to Christianity at 17. He learned 4 languages, preached the gospel to his own Native people, went to England and raised a bunch of money to open a school, and he was even a teacher helping kids learn the English language. Despite all the success in his mission, Occom was treated unfairly getting paid minimally, getting his funds stripped to build a college for white people, and having physical challenges like eyestrain limiting his education. Occom demonstrated the resolve that many hardworking Americans today are known for: in light of difficulties they demonstrate a resilience to excel at their craft, even if they don't reap the rewards right away.

2024-11-13 04:03:20 UTC

This image depicts the declaration next to the American flag. The image represents the strong patriotism that Americans felt, and the boldness it took to step away from what they knew to pursue what they believed to be right. This is seen through the emphasis and focus of the flag in contrast to the declaration. The image is trying to evoke in you with the idea that this is the start of American patriotism.

2024-11-13 04:16:21 UTC

as we can see here there are some missionaries in fellowship and communication with some younger natives. This applies to Occom because he was converted to Christianity at a young age due to the influence of Christian colonists. His story shows us how Americas identity is at least partially formed by their interactions with others weather that be for good or for bad.

Mallory Leitner

2024-11-13 05:38:37 UTC

This was Samuel Occom's box, with which he kept his papers that he used to share with the Mohegan tribe and other children. I think this picture accurately displays how he was able to evangelize. He believed it was important to spend time with children and adults to preach.

Drew Mittan

2024-11-13 14:13:33 UTC

This is a picture of Phillis Wheatley talking to what looks like a reporter who is writing down what she is saying. This is important because Phillis Wheatley had many great ideas and had a great influence around her. She talked about many issues on racial and gender issues and people wanted to hear what she had to say.

sammie deyoe

2024-11-13 14:15:19 UTC

This picture specifically encompasses what it means to be a missionary today. Without those brave souls who shared their faith with Samuel Occom, he may have never been able to accomplish the amazing wonders he has. He was then able to transform the knowledge he learned into real tangible things like: publishing his writings in English, founding several settlements, and being one of the first ordained Christian Indian ministers. All of which is possible due to God and his work through the missionaries.

sammie deyoe

2024-11-13 14:22:39 UTC

This picture, representing the fireworks on the Fourth of July, really stands for America as a whole. Though not everyone may like the loud booming fireworks or obnoxious neighbors, they still recognize what this day means for our country. The signing of the declaration of independence nearly 248 years ago on this day was crucial. This day America was truly declared a free nation, which we hope to embody for years to come.

Drew Mittan

2024-11-13 14:36:07 UTC

This is an image of the American's shortly after defeating the British. They were fighting for their freedom from Britain and defending the Declaration of Independence which they viewed gave them the right to freedom. They were fighting to break off from the King of Britain who was an oppressive ruler who didn't allow the freedoms they viewed were God given to all men.

Drew Mittan

2024-11-13 16:05:02 UTC

This is a picture of Samson Occom who looks to be studying a text. Occom was very intelligent and shared his knowledge with as many people as he could. Occom was gifted with a servants heart and helped as many people as he could and didn't expect anything in return. He did all he could to learn the Bible and spread his Gospel.

2024-11-13 17:49:58 UTC

This image depicts the Tyrannical British army ready for battle. This is significant because this is the country that the Declaration of Independence was directed at and declaring freedom from.

2024-11-13 17:54:18 UTC

This image depicts Phyllis Wheatley thinking through her words before she puts them to paper. This is significant because it captures her careful reflection which results in rich insight that we still study today.

Whitney Cunningham

2024-11-13 18:49:43 UTC

Samuel Occom teaches language and has a passion for Christ. Education only grows in it's importance to American identity. There is no way to get jobs or be accepted by society if you do not have the tools school gives you. One way for the Indians to gain respect, is to prove that they are just as intelligent as anyone.

Whitney Cunningham

2024-11-13 18:52:20 UTC

The colonies, inhabited by so many people, were left to govern themselves by Britain. A country all the way across the sea were regulating people who they had no knowledge about. This instilled America with self-reliance. They developed their identity based on what they wanted for themselves rather than a government and federal success.

Whitney Cunningham

2024-11-13 19:14:01 UTC

This photo is of the Bible and that is what Phyllis built her identity on. She was full committed to her relationship with God and didn't let her unfair life define her. America originally was based on faith in God. It has shifted to what it is today. An atheist culture with no obligation to any religion.

Sam

2024-11-13 20:00:08 UTC

This is a depiction of the founding fathers writing the Declaration of Independence that I wanna touch on for a couple reasons. First, I think that it represents very well the sheer amount of people that put thought into this. This document shaped our nation, and an unimaginable amount of thought was put into it. That amount of people also shows the value of this document, that so many people felt the need to invest such a great amount of time into it.

Sam Dodge

2024-11-13 20:04:05 UTC

This photo is a depiction of a slave ship that shows the conditions of one. I chose this photo so that we could really get an idea of the struggles that Philis Wheatley went through on her way to America, and those struggles shaped her poetry and her reactions to what she experienced. She suffered so much on the trip, and the only thing that really got her through was the hope of a civil liberty that would be akin to the religious liberty that she believed she would experience. This hope being quelled impacts her so much more than if she didn't suffer on the way there to the extent that she did, and this picture of a slave ship just puts that into perspective.

Sam Dodge

2024-11-13 21:25:23 UTC

This is a photo of a Native American church. I believe this photo does a good job of representing the integration of Native American culture into the church that Samuel Occum experienced and carried out. The church, despite clearly having European influence on the Architecture, is in the heart of a myriad of teepees. This shows how important native culture was to Samson Occum and the influence it had on his faith.

Mallory Leitner

2024-11-14 02:46:40 UTC

This is a picture of the colonists fighting for their rights early on. This declaration was motivated by the need to get away from the British control, and exercise the colonist's own freedoms.

Mallory

2024-11-14 02:55:35 UTC

This image shows Wheatley deep in thought. It shows how important it was for her to convey her message in a meaningful way so she could touch the hearts of others and show the racial injustice.