American Colonists Imitatation of British Society in the 18th Century

How did American colonists attempt to imitate British society in the 18th Century?

In the 18th Century, as British society continued to grow and evolve, many American colonists attempted to imitate this society (MacLeod, 2008). The colonists were interested in the British way of life, including their political and social systems. The American colonists attempted to imitate British society in several ways but ultimately developed their unique culture.

The colonists tried to imitate British society by adopting its language. The colonists began using terms like “parliament” and “loyalist” that were specific to British society. They also used the same spelling conventions for words, which differed from how words were spelled in other parts of the English-speaking world. Additionally, they started copying fashion trends from the British (MacLeod, 2008). In the 18^th Century, British fashion was considered the height of social elegance Berg, M. (2004). For instance, women in 18th Century British society wore corsets that covered the bosom. It was very different from women in other parts of Europe, who preferred clothing with low necklines. Clothes were also very tight and restrictive, making it challenging to move around.

Furthermore, the colonists also tried to imitate British political systems. In the 18th Century, Britain had a monarchy with a parliament with two houses: an upper house and a lower house. The colonists attempted to create similar systems (Martin, 1989). For instance, the colony of New York established a bicameral legislature, as did the colony of New Jersey. Many colonists also wanted to mimic how goods were transported. It led them to build canals, roads, and bridges throughout North America. The business people who made these structures used the same tools and techniques as their British counterparts, even though they had to adapt to work in a new environment.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the American colonists could not perfectly imitate British society in the 18th Century. They developed their own unique culture based on their own experiences and values. However, the colonists’ attempt to mimic British society provides a glimpse into how they saw themselves and their relationship with the British.

References

Berg, M. (2004). In pursuit of luxury: global history and British consumer goods in the Eighteenth Century. Past & present, (182), 85-142.

MacLeod, M. J. (2008). Spanish Central America: a socioeconomic history, 1520–1720. University of Texas Press.

Martin, A. S. (1989). The role of pewter as missing artifact: Consumer attitudes toward tableware in late 18th Century Virginia. Historical Archaeology, 23(2), 1-27.

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