American history is an extension of Atlantic history at large. The Atlantic region reinforced and shaped the past chronology and present history of the United States. The Atlantic world implied the triad of Europe, Africa, and the Americas. From human exchange to the exchange of ideas among these three regions, American history has been largely shaped by multiple factors, including economic and political exchange among these regions. We can access the influence of the Atlantic in religion, foreign policy, and the subsequent history of America as the global leader in the economy and culture. The influence of the Atlantic region on American history is a mesmerizing and multilayered topic that can highlight the numerous chronological circumstances, social configurations, and cultural methods that have shaped the United States into the nation it is today.
Many driving forces shaped American history through the stipulations of Atlantic history in general. Here we will discuss how the economic, political, religious, cold war, and cultural histories of America are shaped by the larger history of the Atlantic, with a few other examples.
The Atlantic region has had influences on the economic history of America. For example, the exchange of trade and slave labor among the triad of Africa, Europe, and the Americas created an enormous fortune for the American economy, which later transformed it into a booming economic force in the world. The millions of transatlantic slaves from the African region were transported to America, where they had been exploited for their cheap labor. They were involved in the development of crops and goods like sugar and cotton. These commodities were later sent to European markets, where they peddled for huge economic fortunes for European merchants and slave merchants. The American regions played a deterministic part in this international financial system, delivering raw fabrics such as wood, furs, and tobacco that were exported to Europe in trade for synthetic goods. The British Government ruled over the American territories and regulated these internal mechanisms of the financial system. This exploitation and rule led to the American Revolution later.
This American Revolution steered the United States to evolve into a global economic force, with its comprehensive natural reservoirs and entrepreneurial nature fueling its rapid economic development. The industrial revolution further set the defining features for economic dominance in the United States. Country has become the leading force in production and manufacturing. The country established its name in the international hierarchy as the leading producer of goods such as fabrics, steel, and autos, and its thrift began again to develop throughout the 20th century. The Atlantic world has considerable impacts on American economics, molding the country’s financial guilds, labor techniques, and exchange connections.
The political influences of the Atlantic world on American history can be substantiated through the political discourse of the colonial period and the American Revolution. The enlightened beliefs of Europe, like advocacy for liberal rights, freedom, and democracy, have significant implications for the later American political system. The financial appeals also fueled the American Revolution as colonists resented British efforts to restrain trade and industry. The ideals of enlightened philosophy can be discerned in the Declaration of Independence, which materialized the liberties and equal rights of humans by declaring that “all humans are created equal” and subject to freedom, liberty, and choice. Furthermore, the American Revolution stands as a precursor for other countries to combat colonial powers for their sovereignties.
Political parties played a huge role in the establishment of the political discourse and public spheres for the spread of democratic ideals. These political parties drew their rhetoric from the larger political history of Europe. For example, the Federalist Party, which was constituted by Alexander Hamilton and John Adam, had strong adherence to European ideals of a central administration, a national bank, and taxation. On the other side of the political parties, the Democratic-Republican Party was inspired by the French Revolution with its adherence to limited administration and strong understanding of the Constitution. These differing arguments between both parties were inspired by the larger history of the Atlantic, which later shaped the political dimensions of the United States.
The economic patterns of the Atlantic world have huge implications for the chronology of America. It helped craft the economic fortune of America. The exchange and trade of different commodities like tobacco, cotton, and sugar among the three countries of the Atlantic world revolutionized the American economy. In particular, the yield and production of cash crops such as cotton evolved into the enterprising force of the economy in the southern United States. In the context of the Cold War, the implications of Atlantic world history can be contemplated in the context of the superpower status of the United States. Following WWII, America acted as a world power and commander of the free world.
The religious history of America is also recreated and influenced by the Atlantic world. The exchange of people and goods along with ideas from Africa, Europe, and America resulted in different religious ceremonies, religious exchange, and religious faith. For example, the exchange of Islam, Christianity, and African religions mixed together the arrival of the European colonizers forced Americans to adopt a Christian identity. On the other hand, the African Muslims from West Africa carried their religion into American territory. With the passage of time, these different and unique spiritual ceremonies integrated jointly to build new syncretic contours of religion, such as Vodou in Haiti and Santeria in Cuba.
In conclusion, it is the Atlantic world that has had an immense influence on American history, impacting its economy, civilization, politics, religion, and foreign policy. The trade of tangible goods, services, and notions between Europe, Africa, and the Americas developed an intricate web of affinities that helped shape the United States into the nation it is today.
