Old Dominion University | The Impact of Culture on Virginia Politics | POLS 311 | Geraldine Pearman
9-19-2015
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Geraldine Pearman
Virginia History and Politics
Dr. Pelletier
Fall 2015
The Impact of Culture on Virginia Politics
A culture can be defined as a way of life of a group of people- their behaviors, beliefs, values that are passed along by communication and imitation from one generation to the next. It also includes the customs, arts, literature, morals/values and traditions of a particular society or group (Virginia Encyclopedia). Culture can also be considered as a way of thinking, behaving, or working that exists in places or organizations. This topic is of huge importance to our society mainly in the state of
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Some of the largest employers, however, are federal agencies. The Pentagon is the most famous of these, but military bases like those at Quantico and Fort Belvoir make Virginia home to more active military than any other state in the nation (Liberty of Virginia).
The Culture of Virginia refers to the distinct human activities and values that take place in, or originate from the Commonwealth of Virginia (Virginia Culture). Virginia was named for Queen Elizabeth I of England, who was known as the Virgin Queen. Historians think the English adventurer Sir Walter Raleigh suggested the name about 1584. That same year, Elizabeth gave Raleigh permission to colonize the Virginia region (Liberty of Virginia). Virginia has many nicknames as well. The most popular and lasting of Virginia's many nicknames is the ‘Old Dominion’. Unfortunately, I am not referring to the university. This nickname refers to Virginia's status as England's oldest colony in the Americas. Virginia is considered a commonwealth because it is a state in which the supreme power is vested in the people.
According to the Hornbook of Virginia History, “The term as an official designation was first used in Virginia during the Interregnum (1649-1660), the period between the reigns of Charles I and Charles II during which parliament's Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector established a republican government known as the Commonwealth of England,” (88). Virginia became a royal colony again in 1660, and the word
An early colony founded by the Virginia Company, originally for the purpose of acquiring gold, but later transformed into a tobacco producer.
Virginia’s government, on the other hand, was not governed as a bible commonwealth like in massachusetts, this allowed for more diversity in the colony. In Virginia status was determined by land ownership instead of standing in the church. This created a class system which excluded many of the freed indentured servants from any involvement in the government. This eventually caused Bacon’s rebellion which despite its scale caused little immediate change in the Virginia government, however it did make the government more aware of the freed frontiersmen who were previously ignored. This eventually gave them more sway in the colonial government which allowed for the eventual formation of a democratic
Virginia “The Old Dominion”, is located in the Southern and Mid-Atlantic regions of the US. The nickname, “The Old Dominion” was given due to the states status as one of the first colonial possession established in mainland British America. The capital of Virginia is Richmond. While Virginia Beach is the most populous city. Virginia is also known for its slogan of: “Virginia is for Lovers”.
Sir William Berkeley arrived in Virginia in 1642 to act as the Colonial Governor of Virginia. He was the King’s envoy in Virginia, though he was a selfish royalist who believed in himself before the King. He brought together some
The Hornbook of Virginia History. "Governors of Virginia." Encyclopedia Virginia. Virginia Foundation for the Humanities, 25 Jan. 2018. Web. 17 May. 2018.
What was freedom to the peoples of Colonial Virginia? It all started in 1619 through 1629, when Virginia was a very popular destination for over 3,570 migrants who were coming over from England. Most of these young men in where in their early twenties, who had signed a contract as Indentured Servants who were in search of freedom of wealth and riches. Most however did not get that chance, most of the migrant servants died within their years of hard labor due to waterborne diseases. After years of being pressed inland the diseases has seemed to slow by 1662, due to not drinking the contaminated seawater. The Servants who had completed their sentences were now young, homeless, and armed due to agreeing to be apart of the Militia before signing their contracts for America. These young men who were called “Freedmen” retaliated in 1676, given the name “Bacon’s Rebellion,” who was lead by Nathaniel Bacon.
Virginia has some long history with culture, for instance Alexandria, Appomattox, Lynchburg, Bedford, Richmond, Hopewell and Blacksburg, to name a few. However, the significance
Though Virginia was only intended to be a money source for young, single men, it eventually became America’s earliest slave society. This all started with the fact that the men who came over to Jamestown were all gentry, and refused to get their hands dirty. For a while, they simply didn’t bother working, but when things got bad, they turned to indentured servitude. The indentured servants were primarily English for most of the seventeenth century, with a splash of Africans, Irish and Indians here and there. When the Headright system stopped working, the Virginia Company actually tricked people into coming to America to work to death. They’d offer the common people a contract, confirming they would work for a set amount of years in exchange for transportation to Virginia from England, as well as food, clothing and shelter when they arrived. But they’d work them so intensely during servitude, the number of people who made it to freedom was miniscule.
The 2004 election season was during a time of high patriotism supporting the War on Terror after the September 11, 2001 attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon. President George W. Bush ran a reelection campaign on American pride, national security and security of the American family. This platform resonated with the American populace, especially married women, who historically support the democratic candidate. In 2000 Al Gore won women voters over President Bush by 11 points. However, in 2004, John Kerry only mustered a 3 point victory in female voters over President Bush. Of those, married women favored President Bush over John Kerry by 11 percent (Trei). The political culture in America leaned toward the Republic Party and conservative views largely because of the 911 attacks. America wanted revenge and President Bush showed the fortitude to go after the Taliban in Afghanistan and more in a more controversial decision, invaded Iraq on the premise of Saddam Hussein being a threat to the United States and that Iraq had been stockpiling weapons of mass destruction (WMD). The American populace believed George W. Bush
Virginia, officially known as the Commonwealth of Virginia, is one of the thirteen original states in the United States and used to be the first colonial possession established in mainland British America. Due to this reason, Virginia is often called the “Old Dominion” in many times. According to the historical data and statistics, eight American presidents were born in Virginia, which is more than any other states in the country. Therefore, Virginia is also known as the “Mother of Presidents”. With a total area of 42,774.3 square miles, Virginia is located in the South Atlantic region of the United States and is bounded by Maryland, North Carolina, State of Tennessee, Kentucky and District of Columbia.
It began when Sir Walter Raleigh sent two ships to an island near North Carolina and named the area Virginia. A year later, seven more ships headed towards the new territory. But luck wasn’t on their side. One ship struck a sandbar and almost drowned, losing a lot of food. An Indian stole a cup and Raleigh’s cousin, Grenville, set an Indian village on fire for vengeance. I think this was mean and unintelligent because a silver cup is worth much less than an Indian village and the burning part makes the Indians enemies. To protect themselves, the colonists moved to Roanoke Island, and Grenville went to England for preparations.
Not financed through regal support, the Virginia Colony was at first controlled by a business entity. Like Spain, be that as it may, most early Virginia pioneers were male, youthful bound servants looking for a superior future in a place where there is evident boundless open door. This was not valid in other English provinces, for example, in New England, that offered families as the standard in nearby groups. Different settlements were established by religious gatherings escaping badgering in England or the mainland wars of religion. Explorers, Puritans, Quakers, and Huguenots created groups, regularly in the wake of making bargains with neighborhood Native American people groups.
Virginia, in the southern region, was the first area colonized, named for Queen Elizabeth who was supposedly a virgin. It was intended to be a source of wealth for England by providing cash crops such as tobacco and, eventually, a new market for English goods.. The short winters and warm summers were ideal for growing cash crops such as cotton, tobacco, and rice, all of which were labor intensive. Most of the people who immigrated to these southern colonies were poor Englishmen who were part of the growing number of unemployed in their home country. They paid for their passage by becoming indentured servants, hoping to work off their servitude on the plantations and begin a new life in a new land. As economic conditions improved in England however, Virginia, as well as the other southern colonies, began to rely more and more on slave labor. Slaves became a better investment than in indentured servants, and the southern colonies soon transitioned to slave-based, agricultural economies. (Taylor)
Virginia: Virginia is a land which belongs to United States of America and it lies in the southern Atlantic Ocean. It is a place where people are employed and unemployment rate is very low. The economy is good and most of the people fall under the group of upper middle class or rich people. Since the people in this country are affluent they lead a luxurious life. Their homes are fashionable and they carry an air of elegance. They decorate their homes with many fashionable things. Sofa is one of the most imperative things that are
Culture is a way of life. It can be defined as a group of people linked by geographical location, ethnicity, gender or age. Culture can be reflected through language, clothing, food, behavior, spirituality and traditions. The behavioral patterns developed through culture are difficult to change.