AP US History in 1 Minute Daily: Anglicization (Day 33/309)

Welcome to today’s explanation of Anglicization in my series- APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!

Predominant Ethnic Group 1775, Reddit

Despite the British North American colonies developing with many different European, African, and American Indian cultures, society was significantly influenced by English society.

Boston Harbor, 1764 Wikimedia Commons

Anglicization refers to the process by which a person or place is influenced by English culture. Through trade networks and the growth of transatlantic print culture, the British North American colonies resembled England in many ways.

Massachusetts Hall, Harvard University 1718, Wikimedia Commons

For example, in architecture, many American houses, churches, and public buildings imitated the London Georgian style.

Benjamin West Penn’s Treaty with the Indians, 1772 Wikimedia Commons

Similarly, in painting, many artists received training in England and then used those techniques and styles within the colonies. The Neoclassical style popular in Europe was clearly evidenced in colonial art.

Edwin Tunis, Inside an Ordinary, Passion For the Past

Some of the most important places of Anglicization were churches, schools, and taverns. In these places, English ideas of religion, culture, and politics were discussed and fostered. In this period, colonists identified themselves as British despite many having long family histories in America.

Despite the British North American colonies being composed of many diverse cultures, they were continually influenced by English society in a process known as Anglicization.

Join me tomorrow as I explain the Enlightenment in our next APUSH in 1 Minute Daily!