Week 2- Liberties

Liberty is a very broad word. This week in both American Literature and American Studies, the topic of liberties was addressed and what type of liberties separate groups of people got. The liberties of men, women, American Indians, and blacks were all discussed for varying amounts at different times during this week and a bit during last. Liberty is defined as either “the state of being free within society from oppressive restrictions imposed by authority on one's way of life, behavior, or political views.” or , “the power or scope to act as one pleases”. The liberties of the Indians were greatly restricted, and their situation more applies to the first definition. The Indians were NOT in a free state, as their land was taken away and made to be for the Americans. In fact, according to Chief Justice John Marshall, the Americans were doing a favor to the Indians by civilizing the. Another unique set of liberties were those of the Lowell girls. They were textile workers in Lowell Massachusetts, a factory like those that were now popping up all over the country. They had rights like those of factory workers now. Hard work, yet eating breaks and long-term breaks also existed. These differences in how people were treated shows a lot about America in the 1800’s. Different people were granted different liberties. Thomas Jefferson’s famous claim that all men were created equal is put into even more speculation here. Why are different groups of people treated differently? If all men are created equal, then shouldn't slaves and women and American Indians all be treated the same? Liberties came and went for different groups of people, and these liberties were considered obvious for some while inconsiderable for others. That is why liberty is such a broad word in early America.