A/N: Hello, and welcome to "Through the Eyes of the Blond!" I'm very happy to have pulled myself out of my "No fanfics ever, rawr" spree and go back to writing with characters I only wish I had come up with. I wrote this for the sake of studying for APUS history, but I thought that it would be fun, since I was writing this anyway, to share with whomever wants it.
As this was made to help me in an American history class, there will be a lot of historical figures and OC!States in this. "But why is there more than one America in this, Re-Re? There's only one in the canon!" Why, I'm glad you asked! You see, American history has always been marked by a fair amount of sectionalism. It still is. Now, it's nowhere as bad as it was before the Civil War, but it's still there (Just ask a Northerner what they think of the south and vice versa, just ask someone from the East Coast what they think of the West coast). It would be almost impossible to give American History justice if there was only one America. All will be explained in due time.
Anyway, please enjoy my paltry offerings!
Warnings: A bit of headcanon (in case my a/n was TL;DR), and South Carolina's mouth.
In the year 1607 the first permanent English Settlement was founded. It was called Jamestown and was in the new colony of Virginia. It was one beacon of civilization in the middle of seemingly endless wilderness. The settlers had a rough life. Of course, the fact that they were all mercenaries who didn't know how to live in the wild, founded their town in a malaria-filled swamp, and drank from the same water they used as a toilet probably had something to do with it. Many died in the first year, and those that didn't had to work tooth and nail just to survive. And yet, they did survive, and many more English settlements were founded all along the east coast of America. This is the story of those colonies and the superpower that they would later become.
Through the Eyes of the Blond
Or The Life and Time of Alfred F. Jones
Or 200-Plus years of UST
Or AP US History in a sexy nutshell
Or Re should just pick a goddamn title already
Wow, just look at that pretty font. It's so nice and big, too. Too bad you can't see it because you're reading this somewhere that makes everything all Twelve-Point-Font-Times-New-Roman-y. Sucks for you. Title pages are such wonderful things and-
Oh right, Colonial!America.
Well, in the seventeenth century, the land mass that would later become America was split between three great and powerful empires: Spain to the south, France to the west, and England to the east. Out of all three, England had the least amount of land, but they worked with what they had. The main cash crop at this time was Tobacco, you know, for cancer sticks. But they didn't know that at the time, and even if they did they probably wouldn't have cared (besides, God only made you sick if you sinned. Everyone knew that). Because of its ability to grow the plant, Virginia quickly became a large and powerful colony.
In spite of this, and the fact that he was the first born, he isn't the America we know and are annoyed by today. Good thing, too, because he was all aristocratic and full of himself and we only need one Austria in this series, no matter what Hungary may say. The reason for this is that Virginia, for all its tobacco, wasn't very urbanized. Most of the people who lived there were farmers. There was another colony that would hold the powerful urban center of the age.
In the year 1630, a man named John Winthrop led 1,000 people to a new settlement in the colony of Massachusetts. It was to be "A City on A Hill," both figuratively and literally. In addition to being a place that shouldn't have to worry about floods very often, it was supposed to be a paradigm of morality. He named the city Boston.
Needless to say, it didn't exactly work. With its huge natural harbor, Boston became a major trade hub. This attracted all sorts of people who just wanted to make money. However, this wasn't all that bad. The massive amounts of trading in its main city made Massachusetts the colony that had the most contact with Britain.
Now, onto the bishies. Because we all know that's the only reason most of you care about this series.
April 12, 1691: Outskirts of Boston
"America!" England called, climbing up a hill on the outskirts of the town, "Are you up here? It's England! I've come to see you!"
As the blond reached the crest of the hill he saw the child, hair as sunny as his personality, playing with a rabbit.
"Big brother England!" the boy called, forgetting the rodent and running over to wrap his arms around the older nation's thigh. His words were muffled by England's hip, but he said something that sounded like, "It's so good to see you! I missed you so much!"
"I know," the older blond said, ruffling his ward's soft hair, "I missed you too. But I do have other colonies and other responsibilities to go with them."
The boy looked up, his lower lip sticking out in an adorable little pout and his huge blue eyes threatening to fill with tears.
England sighed. His colony was so dramatic sometimes. Where did he get that from? It certainly wasn't England. It must have been France, that wine-sipping, colony-stealing bastard. "Oh don't give me that," He said, his tone sharp so that America knew England wasn't just playing around, "Stiff upper lip and all that. You're still a part of me after all."
"Bit I'm just a kid and you always leave me alone, and I'm always so scared you'll never come back."
England almost faltered at that. Almost. But if he let America get away with that now, the boy would grow to believe he always would. So instead, England smiled at the colony. He gently unwrapped his tiny arms from his legs and kneeled down to peer into those eyes, bluer than the sea and just as deep.
"Now listen," He said, "Haven't I always returned as quickly as I could?"
"Yeah," America said, his lip sticking out even further, "But it's still way too long, England."
"Well, it's made you stronger, hasn't it?"
"I guess," He sniffled.
"And you need to be strong. There are all sorts of challenges that come to living here. Savages are everywhere, and that damned frog and Spain keep trying to take you from me-"
"Then why do you leave me? If it's so dangerous, why don't you help me face those things?"
England thought back to that day just over sixty years ago, when America had leapt from his arms and swung that bison around and around, and shook his head, "Because you don't need me to,"
"Yes I do! I need you, big brother England!"
England chuckled and ran his fingers through the short blond hair of the boy before him, "Can you even see how much you've grown?"
"I don't know what you're talking about!" America said, "I'm still so tiny. Most of my people don't think I'm a day over five."
"Yes, but do you remember the last time I came? It was only a year ago, and even kneeling like this you would only meet my chest. Now you're at eye level."
The boy gasped, "You're right! Aw man, this is so cool! Hey, England, will I be as tall as you someday?"
"Maybe," England said, "it all depends." That was better, America was happy again, so now that meant that he could stand again, right.
However, as soon as he tried, America spoke up. "I-I mean that's just because my borders changed a little. And-and I'm still so tiny! I'm 70 already! Some people I used to play with have grandchildren!"
England was torn between rolling his eyes and laughing. Of course if America wanted to continue this game, England would go on right with him. What was the point of going three thousand miles if he couldn't play with his little brother?
"Do you know how long it took me to get to be as tall as you are now?" He baited the boy.
"No? How long?" America asked eagerly.
"Three hundred years."
"Woah! No way!"
The budding empire chuckled, "What's that phrase you use? Yes way."
"But you're so big and strong and stuff!"
"Trust me, it's recent. I was only about ten in human years until the mid 14th century."
"Wow…" America breathed.
"Do you know why it took me that long?" England asked.
"No, why?"
It was never easy to be an empire. So many misbehaving children to keep an eye on. So many of those Continent bastards trying to steal everything he worked so hard to get. But sometimes it was worth it. Now was one of those times. When America, his little America, was looking up at him with eyes bigger and bluer than any sapphire any king could claim, purer and clearer than the wide windows of any palace in Europe. He was listening to intently, as though England was about to reveal all the secrets of heaven and earth to the child before him.
It wasn't money that England longed for, or power or vast natural recourses. Maybe that was what the wealthy at home wanted out of the new lands, but England didn't need any of it. It was times like this, when he could look into the eyes of his colony and knew that the boy loved him, that he needed. It was times like this that let him know that everything was worth it.
"It took me so long to grow," He said softly, "Because I always had someone taking care of me."
"England, there are people strong enough boss you around?"
England turned red and started sputtering. At a younger age, America would have said something embarrassing, whether he meant it to be so or not. The boy would have laughed and said in such a sweet little voice, "big brother England, your face is such a pretty color! Like sunsets and ripe tomatoes and-" But now the child was at least a little bit older and a mite wiser for it, so he just stood there smiling innocently and waiting for his mentor to relax.
England coughed and tried to force his blush down. If a child such as America could be civil, so could England. After all, he was a gentleman, pirate or no.
"They- They didn't boss me around," He said finally, "I-I just let them think that they were in charge of be because it made them feel better. See? Your big brother is nice."
America giggled. "I know that already! Whenever you come you hold me and give me presents and even let me sleep in the big bed with you."
England stood and puffed out his chest, "And don't you forget it!"
"I won't," America said, giggling some more, "Don't worry, England. I never could forget that because you're the best big brother in the whole wide world and I'm gonna love you forever!"
England blushed again, this time due to flattery instead of embarrassment. However, he could neither hide that blush nor the smile that spread across his face. He lifted the boy into his arms. He was getting heavier, but thankfully he was still light enough for moment like this.
"I will too, America, I will too." He pressed his cheek against the boy's and in his head added, "Even when you're old enough to be on your own, when you don't need me to come see you anymore. When you're a fully-grown nation, even then I'll still love you."
He expected the colony to grip his shirt and rub his face against England's own, but he never did. Instead the boy opened his mouth again.
"Why do you always call me that?" He asked.
"Call you what?" England said, bushy eyebrows furrowing.
"America."
England snorted and changed the way he was holding the boy so that they could look at each other again, "Because that's your name."
"But it's my last name. How am I supposed to know if you mean me or one of my siblings?"
"Siblings?" England asked.
"Hey everyone! I'm back and I brought big brother England with me!" Americ- No, Massachusetts called out.
England had to keep reminding himself of that. He had always assumed that there was just one America. Now there were thirteen? It made sense, he supposed. After all, his people had founded thirteen reasonably-sized colonies, not one mammoth one. But how long had the others been hiding? Why didn't they greet him like their brother had? England remembered when he first met the boy. He had been awfully shy, just playing around in the grass, not worrying about talking to England until the older nation talked to him. Maybe his siblings were even shyer? Maybe they were too afraid of the older nations to come and talk to them? In that case, they probably just needed love, and they would come out of their shells. There might be twelve more cute little siblings to love and adore him. Wouldn't that be wonderful?
"The fuck were you thinking, bringing that limey bastard in here for?"
Or not.
England looked at the speaker. He appeared far too small and adorable for the rough voice and filthy words that had poured from his mouth. It was another boy, about Am- Massachusetts' physical age or a little younger. The similarities didn't end there. He looked just like the other boy, but with hair the color of dried tobacco. His hair didn't have his brother's characteristic cowlick either. Instead, there was one stubborn piece of hair that hung down right above his left eye.
"I know you open your ports to him like you're some whore, but that doesn't mean that he needs to come here to boss us around too. Jesus Christ, Ply, why'd you do that?"
The other boy had obviously meant to shame Massachusetts, but he had a more profound effect on the older blond. To hear such mean things said about the two of them by a boy who looked so much like the brother he loved so dearly…
Massachusetts on the other hand, brushed it off like dust on a mantle, "Aw, drop dead, Carol.6 He's our big brother, so he has the right to know all of us, and he's in charge so if you have a problem you can always count on him. Besides," He frowned, "you shouldn't use God's name like that."
"I can use God's name however I damn well please, fucking heretic!" The brunet snapped, ignoring Massachusetts' point about whether or not England should be there.
The blond's frown became a pout, "How come someone who's all blah-blah-blah-my-rights is mad about people trying to practice their faith in peace?"
"Yeah," South Carolina said, "because hanging innocent women is practicing your faith in peace."
"Shut it you hick! At least I don't pray to the dirt like a savage!"
England just stood there, mouth agape. What had happened to his little blond angel from less than an hour ago?
"Boys," He said, "Be nice to each other!"
The pair, of course, ignored him.
"I do no such thing!" South Carolina cried, blushing furiously, "That's a lie your stupid preachers make up in those shacks you call meeting houses! Of course, that's what you get for letting women speak at church!"
"Those are Quakers, idiot!"
"Please," A little blonde girl said, "Don't fight. We all believe in Jesus, so what difference does it make?"
"A huge one, filthy papist!" Yelled South Carolina
"Yeah, stay out of this, Maryland!" Massachusetts cried, agreeing with his brother for once.
"Now children," England said, "Children!" They still ignored him, "CHILDREN!"
"Oh, don't try to break it up," Said a voice next to him. A boy with ash-blond hair and England's eyes, or at least his eyebrows, said, rubbing his temple, "They're impossible. They won't even listen to the big brother who's here all the time. Anyway, would you like some tea, Mr. England?"
"S-sure," the young empire said, "I would like that very much."
The boy bowed, "Well then, please accompany me to the kitchen."
"Let me guess," England said, "Virginia right?"
The boy smiled and opened his eyes, forest green as England had expected, "Of course, but how did you know?"
England smiled, "Someone named for my dear Bess has to be an agreeable chap." He glanced at the three on the ground, who had gone from battling with words to fists. It reminded him a bit too much of home for comfort. He turned back to the only colony that was being the slightest bit rational, "Now about that tea…"
"Cream and sugar?" Virginia asked.
"Yes, thank you," replied England.
Virginia placed a bowl and cream pitcher on the worn oak table in front of his sovereign. England thanked him and began to doctor his tea, keeping an eye on the boy all the while. He was certainly different from his brothers, who England could still hear fighting in the sitting room. He was more relaxed, quieter, and gentler. He looked about older too; he was almost at the end of his boyhood. He had that look about him that someone had grabbed his arms and legs and just tugged him to his current height. England wondered if the boy would grow into that height, or remain long and thin like Scotland.
"I'm sorry that those three are the ones that you had to meet." He said, reaching for the sugar, "They're so childish, it's hard to believe Ply is as big as he is on a map."
"Well," England said, "Before today I thought he was an awful lot bigger. It's kind of nice to know that there are so many of you here together." "It helps me feel better about leaving," He thought.
"Yes, but why couldn't you meet Georgia, or Pennsylvania, or even Delaware? They're so much better behaved."
"At least I got to meet you, Virginia," England said, smiling at his new brother before taking a sip of his tea. He smiled. It was much better than the stuff that Massachusetts had tried to make for him. Of course, he had forced a smile and choked the brew down, since it was his beloved baby brother that made it, but it was so nice to know that some of the colonists could at least make decent tea. "This is wonderful, by the way," He added, gesturing to his drink.
"Thank you, Mr. England, I am honored on both accounts."
"You needn't be so formal with me. You can just call me England, or big brother if you'd like."
"It's quite alright," Virginia said, "You deserve respect."
England's smile dropped. He had hoped- oh never mind, "If only your brothers would learn that," He jabbed, taking a sip of his tea.
"Yes," Virginia said, chuckling over his own cup, "If only."
The two of them drank in silence save the profanity and banging from the other colonies for a while until England decided to ask the question that he had been pondering since he had met the boy.
"Virginia?"
"Yes?" Green eyes looked up from the cup to meet an identical pair that had been looking at him for quite some time.
"Why are you so much older than the others?" England asked.
Virginia smiled, but there was no happiness in his eyes. He set his cup carefully upon its saucer and looked into the brew for a while. "Bacon," He finally said.
"Come again?" England asked.
"Nathaniel Bacon." Virginia said, looking back up at England again.
"I'm afraid that I still don't understand."
"It was fifteen years ago," The colony sighed, "A man named Nathaniel Bacon found poor men, riled them up, and tried to use them to become my boss instead of your governor."
"Ah yes," England said. Come to think of it, he remembered hearing of something like that. Of course, it wasn't that big of a deal because, "It was put down though, wasn't it?"
"Well, of course, since I'm talking to you," Virginia let out a dry chuckle, "But that's not the point. It made me think."
He looked out the window and England did likewise. It was a beautiful spring day. The trees outside already had leaves. Birds fluttered about the branches, chirping sweetly.
"What are we?" Virginia asked, "Nations, I mean. Are we our people at all, or just our land? If we're people, are we all of them, or just those in power? And do we have our own feelings, or are we just indicators of what either group is feeling?"
England waited for the boy to continue. He recognized those questions. They were ones he had asked himself; that all nations asked themselves. England had had answers at one point, but then realized slowly that they just couldn't be answered, and as soon as he had an idea it would be proven wrong. However, he still wanted to hear what Virginia had to say. Eventually, he ran out of patience.
"So what did you decide?" He asked.
Virginia smiled and looked back at England, "What makes you think I did?" He asked, before sipping his tea again in silence.
As for England, he smiled and picked up his cup again. "This boy," He thought, "Is not at all like his brothers."
History Notes:
England: From 927 to 1707, there was actually a Kingdom of England. It became the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1707, when Scotland finally joined up. It became "And Ireland" in 1801. When most of Ireland jumped ship in 1922, the country was finally renamed "The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland." Personally, I like Kingdom of England better. It's a hellova lot shorter. That being said, the Americas will still probably call him England because very few of them are the kind of people who can switch what they call other people, and even fewer care.
"It's made you stronger" Throughout the seventeenth and the early half of the eighteenth century, the American Colonies were treated with something called Statutory Neglect. This means that they kind of just left their colonies alone and it actually helped the colonies. During this time, England barely taxed them, in spite of what Revolutionaries would later say, and didn't really worry about what they did as long as the colonies produced goods and money. There were some attempts at controlling them, such as installing Royal Governors and the Navigation acts (which said basically that America could only trade with England), but no one really worried about either of them.
"My boarders have changed a little": In 1691, the Plymouth colony became part of the colony of Massachusetts.
Mid 14th century: In addition to being the year of the leet, 1337 was the beginning of the hundred years' war between France and England. I figure that this is what caused the pair to grow up, since they were still children in the 11th century, but were older by the time Joan of Arc came around (early 15th century)
Tomatoes: Yes, I know that tomatoes are more of a South Italy and/or Spain thing, but tomatoes are actually native to South America. However, by 1710 they were reported in South Carolina. It's not too much of a stretch to think that Massachusetts might have seen a few by this point, especially since in the beginning they were grown as ornamental plants. I can so imagine N. Carolina going, "Hey, check this out! Betcha can't grow these in your stinking port city!" XD
"Carol": were governed separately in spite of being one colony at this point. This is South Carolina, a place that was quite outspoken and rebellious until after the Civil War. His hair, by the way, is Lake Marion. He has a twin sister that is the northern half. They were split in two in 1729.
Colonial religions: in Massachusetts at the time: The Quakers allowed anyone to speak at Sabbath meetings, yes, even women. The puritans are the guys in the Thanksgiving story. They did not wear buckles on their hats, however they did hold the Salem Witch trials. It is a common misconception that women were burned at these trials. As it turns out, they were hanged (which is the proper term, by the way, not hung). Maryland was founded as a haven for English Catholics, a group despised on their home island and most of America. It was the first colony to pass a religious toleration act. You could be whatever faith you wanted to be. Just remember, devil worship is no faith, and any God but the Christian one is a devil. Obviously.
A/N Well, there's chapter one! Chapter two, we'll be skipping forward to the end of the French and Indian war. This kind of makes me sad, I'll miss writing BB!America; he's just so cute! Maybe I'll do another fic after this one.
See you next time on "Through the Eyes of the Blond!"