Anglicization and Americanization: cultural and linguistic transformation

Anglicization and Americanization

While the revolutionary period in American history may have been perceived by many as the most glorious time in the history of colonial America, the truth is that there were still some people who did not believe in Independence and trusted the British. These were called the Imperialists and whether they were British themselves or simply the victims of colonial rule who subscribed to British way of life, they all viewed Britain as a benevolent force that was working for the so-called benefit of the British American colonies. British way of life, English values and customs, and their way of thinking was introduced in the colonies merely to keep all colonies glued together and loyal to British Monarchy. This is an interesting paradox. On the one hand, colonies were becoming more sophisticated and enlightened because of their adoption of British lifestyle and ideals, but on the other, this sophistication was becoming a threat to the British Imperial rule as it was felt that with increased knowledge, colonies would no longer want to be ruled by British masters. To remove or control this threat, the British kept introducing their customs and values believing this would help provide a common identity. This transportation of ideology was known as Anglicization and many American colonies, most prominently Massachusetts was a good example of how Anglicization had affected lifestyle and values in American colonies.

However it was the heavy-handedness of British governors and administrators in various colonies that spurred a revolution. Successive government tried to restrict the growth of colonies by making them more and more English in their outlook. During 1740s and 1750s, Massachusetts was subjected to disciplined but consistently aggressive process of Anglicization and the key players were the president of British Board of Trade Lord Halifax and the colonial administration of the time. Some trade barriers were placed to stem the economic growth and progress of colonies and government became stricter in the implementation of its rules and regulations. However this was not the case in all the colonies. There were some fortunate areas where liberals ruled and they firmly believed in promoting freedom. Governor Jonathan Belcher is a popular name in this connection. He was the governor of Massachusetts and New Hampshire from 1730-1741 and four years later, was again selected to act as governor of New Jersey. It was because of this that New Jersey remained a liberty loving colony where trade barriers were never placed and where British iron-fisted rule couldn't be seen. But in other areas where a shrewdly implemented process of Anglicization later turned very aggressive, colonies suffered a lot from extreme and almost desperate measures taken by the British administration to keep colonies under control. However it was this heavy-handedness that triggered revolution and gave birth to the process of Americanization in the latter half of the 18th century.