Wetherfield, Connecticut
Essay Preview: Wetherfield, Connecticut
Report this essay
It is extremely difficult to measure the democracy of a nation, even when condensed into one colony like Wethersfield, Connecticut. Democracy may mean the type of government currently used in America or one of the political parties associated with America. For the purpose of a research paper, one must use the type of democracy defined as a government by the people and majority. In the 1750s to the 1780s in Wethersfield, the data concerning property distribution, social structure, politics, and religion portrays a weak and primarily unsuccessful endeavor into the democracy, which seen in current times in the United States.
The distribution of property is a strong example of democracy in action. During the year of 1756, no man owned an area of 1,000 or more acres. There was a minor increase of 2% of white males owning this cornucopias amount of land. In severe contrast, the percentage of white men with no land in their names had increased from 17% to 33% (Doc. C). In 1756, the 10% white males in the best financial situations owned 35% of land in Wethersfield. Within 17 years, the number had increased in over 50% of the total land. In the meantime, those in or below the 50th percentile lost land in the same time period (Doc. B). In addition, in 1775, Silas Deane wrote a letter to Patrick Henry in which he states “this Colony is now so full of inhabitants that there is not more than twelve acres to a person” (Doc. F). Also, the tax assessment of richest 10% of men in 1773 increased to 163ÐЈ from 127ÐЈ in 1756. Again, the opposite occurred among the underprivileged men. Those in the 8th place ranking had their total tax assessment fall by 50% (Doc. B). The increases in the property of the rich in contrast to the loses of the poor is far from democratic. Wethersfield is displaying a still young and unequal America.
The social structure in Wethersfield also exhibits a lack of democracy. “Thus each town is in some degree a distinct republic” (Doc. F) says Silas Deane in regards to moving members of the Colony to a new location. If Silas Deane considered the individual settlements to be democratic with local and national government, in this case the General Assembly, he would have called it by the proper name. Democracy was not considered a new idea. It, in fact, had been originated by the Greeks in ancient Athens with the concepts of civil liberties through its pride in original political and scientific thought (ICPD). If the colony had wanted to be considered a democracy and pursue those values, it wouldve been have called by that name. This simple label is a step away from democracy.
Politics followed the poor track record of democracy in Wethersfield, Connecticut. Reverend Samuel Peters visited, an Anglican clergyman, visited Connecticut. Although he initially was convinced to see Wethersfield as a center of equally, he soon saw past the charade, saying “Their laws grind the poor”(Doc. N) and “The poor man is compelled to pay [the poll tax], work four days on the highways, serve in the militia four days, and pay three shillings for his hut without a window in it. The best house and richest man in the colony