Quakers as Revolutionaries
by Allie Petracek
This presentation highlights the revolutionary acts of the Quakers in the times leading up to and during the American Revolution. Over 100 years of Friends history was examined to compose findings regarding how this group was on the forefront of social change by the way they treated women and Native Americans with equality, their hatred against slavery, practice of freedom of religion, and civil disobedience. Multiple books were used as resources, which had conclusions that the founder was unsatisfied with the current state of the Christian Church, hence the movement of Quakerism (that began in 1652). All of the books explained that though Quakers were partaking in practices that would not occur in the United States for decades or centuries to come, their intent was not for the United States to eventually adapt their ideals. They were simply following their religious values.
Postcards from South Dakota by Cambre Morrow
South Dakota is known for its breathtaking landscapes and historical locations and these factors bring tourists from across the world to this area. Tourism has a strong past, exciting present, and bright future across South Dakota. Between the rich Native American history and modern tourists’ traps, tourism counts for a large amount of revenue in South Dakota. This push for South Dakota tourism started when then President Calvin Coolidge visited the area in 1927 and long before this trip there have been ethical issues surrounding the treatment of Native American land in South Dakota. The 1990s saw a large increase of international travel to the area and these numbers all still going strong. As of 2015, a local new station reported that tourism was set to bring two billion US dollars to the local economy. Between the beautiful landscapes of the Black Hills, the tourist traps like the Corn Palace, and rich history of presidents and Native Americans the land of South Dakota has a way of attracting tourists.
Great work, Cambre and Allie (hi Allie)!
Cambre, in your researching tourism in the Black Hills/Badlands region, did you get a sense that the area has plans to integrate sustainability into its tourism future? You also mentioned that some tourists select locations like this because of the perception that these areas are safer. Do you think the current pandemic might reinforce—or erode—this view?
Allie, I learned a lot from your presentation! It seems like the Quakers had pretty progressive views about equality. At the same time, I’m sure it really annoyed a lot of people that they didn’t overtly support the Revolution. How did this affect their relationship with other communities at the time? Or were they already so separate (ostracized?) that it didn’t have much effect?
Thanks for great presentations! Cambre, I hope that you’re able to visit the Black Hills/Badlands soon. I so wish that our course trip weren’t canceled! Thanks for contributing a lot to the class over the semester!
Hi Professor Holcroft,
Yes and yes! I noticed that while researching that the main focus of tourism especially in the national and state parks is to educate people on nature. Moving forward, areas like Custer State Park want the tourism to the area to enhance the natural beauty not distract from it, and to help do this they are using more and more sustainable practices.
I do think that COVID-19 will make the area of South Dakota sound “safer” to certain tourists because people living in the Mid-West can drive to the area opposed to flying. With the current limits on air travel the idea of driving should make the area of South Dakota sound like a safer travel option.
Such great works! Thank you both for very well crafted and insightful presentations!
Learning from both of you leads me to think about the complexity of land ownership in the US. Allie, can you say a little more about the Quaker’s position on land ownership, seeing how, they too, moved in on Native American land? Cambre, can you tell us a little more about the shape and nature of Native American land in South Dakota and the ways in which they might be contributing to the tourism efforts as well (I am thinking of some obvious such examples, as Monument Valley’s oversight by Navajo people)? Ultimately, I wonder whether both of you might have insights into possible avenues for reparation efforts moving forward.
Many thanks for your terrific contributions!
Hi, Allie and Cambre!
Insightful presentations!
Cambre, I enjoyed the unique on ramp of your history presentation, past and recent tourism in S. Dakota.
Allie, Did you discover Quaker pacifist and civil disobedience influences on the U.S. civil rights movement, on MLK and other sixties leaders?
Hi Professor Holcroft,
Yes and yes! I noticed while researching that the main goal of tourism in South Dakota is to educate people about nature when it comes to national and state parks. Moving forward, areas like Custer State Park want the focus to be on the natural beauty of the area and to do this they are using more and more sustainable practices.
I do think that COVID-19 will make the idea of traveling to South Dakota sound safer to certain tourists. People living in the Mid-West can drive to the area opposed to flying and this helps to make the area feel safer with the limits on air travel.
Hi Anne,
Yes, of course! The area of South Dakota has many connections to Native Americans with the state and many of the towns baring names that come from Native American tribes. The Black Hills is viewed as sacred to Native Americans and areas within the Black Hills celebrate this heritage. While the Crazy Horse monument does not do an excellent job of representing Native Americans there are many other options across the area that do a great job at representing Native Americans. As you mentioned the Monument Valley’s oversight by Navajo people is a great example of the Native Americans being a part of the tourism industry. The Wounded Knee Massacre Information at Oglala Lakota College Historical Center, Bear Butte State Park, and local Native American hosted festivals and events are just some more examples of how Native Americans are a part of the tourism industry. Moving forward, the state of South Dakota is paying tribute to Native Americans by incorporating their history into main stream tourism. One way they did this is by re-naming Harney Peak to Black Elk Peak (4 miles southwest of Mount Rushmore) to celebrate Native American heritage.
Allie, I enjoyed your overview of how Quaker ideals impacted American culture. I am so grateful for their efforts in fostering a commitment to equal rights. And the insight that slaveholding led to laziness, violence, and aggression on the part of the slaveholder was really profound. I would be curious to learn more about Quakerism today (your last slide was titled “Today”). I know of people in the older generation who are practicing Quakers. Are there many Quakers in your generation? What is it about Quakerism that appeals (if it does) to people in your generation?
Cambre, I love the way you framed your presentation with postcards! This brought back memories of visits to South Dakota when I was a kid. You mentioned that the future of tourism in South Dakota could include more of a focus on natural resources (wildlife and the natural beauty) than it does presently. Could you tell from your research whether the State of South Dakota is pushing its natural beauty more than its human-made projects (such as Mount Rushmore and the Corn Palace)? Or do the natural and the human get the same emphasis?