Essay On American History

Slaverybeganinthelate16thcenturytoearly18thcentury.AfricanswerebroughttoAmerican coloniesbywhitemasterstocomeandworkontheirplantationsintheSouth.Theyweretreated harshlywithnopaymentsforalltheirhardworkInaddition,theylivedunderharshliving conditions,andthisledtotheirresistanceagainsttheseharshconditions.Theracismtowardsthe AfricanAmericanswhowereslaveswasatitsextremeastheydidnothaveanyrights;nocivilnor politicalrights.Theconditionswereworsefortheslaves,andtheydecidedtoresistinordertofree themselvesfromtheslaveryinstitution.Africanslavesusedvariousstrategiesofresistanceto slaveryAccordingtoHine,Hine,andHarrold(66),"suchshowmorecontent

Thishelpedthemtomeet,andeducatethemselvesonhowtobesetfreefromtheslaveryinstitution. Inaddition,theslavesalsousedwayslikebeingignorant,malingering,andslowwhileworkingso astofreethemselvesfromslaveryInaddition,theycouldalsofeignsicknesssoasnottoworkand gainrelieffromtheharshworkingconditions.Theslavescoulddoalltheseinordertobealienated fromtheirmasters,andatleasthavearestfromtheheavyworkloads.Someslavesevenused extremeformsofday–todayactslikesuicide,arson,selfmutilation,andevenmurderoftheir mastersandmistresses.Slavescouldgotoanextentoftakingpoison,cuttingoftheirfingers,arms, legs,andtoesjusttoavoidworkingTheypoisoned,injuredandmurderedtheirmastersindesperate hopesofgettingfreedomfromslavery,andtheharshtreatmentstheywerereceiving.Theslaves usedrebellionsoranti–slaverymovementsasaformofresistanceagainstslavery.However,the resultofslaveinsurrectionswasmassexecutions,andmanyofthemavoidedtheserebellionsforthe fearofbeingexecuted.ThefamousinsurrectionsintheAmericanhistoryweretheGabrielProssey's conspiracyin1800,NatTurner'sRebellionin1831,andtheStonoRebellionof1739Amongthese rebellions,onlytheNat

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WhenIfirstmovedtoManhattanfrommysmallhometownIneverimaginedthathistorywould becomeoneofthemostimportantaspectsofmylife.Foralargeportionofmylifemyaspiration wastodanceattheSchoolofAmericanBallet,andbecomeoneofthefamousfacesthatroamits halls.Infact,Iwassodesperatetofollowmyfamiliesfootsteps(bothmyparentsandmybrother wereprofessionaldancers)thatImadeaconsciousdecisiontotrainawayfromhome,fore–fitting mosthighschoolactivities.Theprospectofgivingattentiontoanythingotherthanballetwas certainlynotonmymind.HowevertheteacherswhoIoncecaredforsodeeplyignoredme,ballet becamejustanotherpartofmytediousdayIfeltsolostandhopelessuntilshowmorecontent However,myjuniorhumanitiesclasstaughtmehowhistorycanputperspectiveonproblemsin today'ssociety.ForexampleIremembervividlydiscussinghowthedebatebetweenTrumpand HillaryClintonparallelstotheelectionof1828betweenAndrewJacksonandJohnQuincyAdams. Theelectionquestionedpoliticalintegritybyusingthecandidatesownpersonalbackgroundsto attacktheirmoralsMoreextremethantheaccusationofexposingconfidentialdocumentsinthe currentelection,AdamswenttotheextentoflabelingJacksonamurdererwhileservinginthe military.Thisinsightputsnewperspectivethecurrentgeneration,makinganelectionthatseemsso radicalmoreplausible.ThankstoyourlessonsIreceivedtheopportunitytostudyhoweventsin Americanhistorysuchaselectionscanleadtothedivideorunityofthecountry.WhenLincolnwon theelectionof1860byreceivingonly40percentofthepopularvote,thecountry'sbuilttensions finallyexplodedintheformofaCivilWar.Withthisvaluableknowledgethestudyofthecurrent electionbecomeslessarduous,andyoungpeoplelikemyselfhavegreateropportunitytoforman opinionnotbiasedbytoday'snews,butbuiltuponmyown

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Withrapidchangesoccurringduringourpresent–day,manyhavealwaysponderedthethought, "HowdidAmericabecomethisway?"Takingastepback,weareabletoanalyzeourpast, understandthepresent,andconnectthedotsleadingintoourfuture.Manyofourancestorsleft behindstoriesandcluesthathavegivenusknowledgeonhowAmericabecame,"LandoftheFree" directingusintoabetterunderstandingofAmericanhistoryTakingalookbackatUnit1,wewere abletolearnreasonsthatleaduptotheAmericanRevolutionandhowlifebecamedifferent throughoutthecountry.WhenwefirstdiscussAmericanhistory,wemustalwaysrecognizethe contributionsNativeAmericansmadebeforethiscountrywasre–discoveredAforeAmericashow morecontent...

Inourfirstdiscussionboard,welearnedabouttheSpanishempireandtheireffectonAmerica. DuringthetimeoftheSpanishreign"NewWorldOrders"weresetinplacechangingtheold customsthatwereoncetraditionaltothenative'sland.ReligionsuchastheCatholicChurch, "PlayedasignificantroleintheadministrationofSpanishcolonies"(Fonerpg21)whichwasto initiatechangeandbringforthanewtraditionamongstNativeAmericansaswellasAfricanSlaves. Inthelecture(Pre–ColombianAmerica),itsaidthat,"WomenwhoacceptedChristianityandother EuropeanwaysweredepictedasproofandpromiseofsuccessofthetransplantofEnglishculturein theNewWorld."Duringourseconddiscussionboard,welearnedaboutthe"Casta"paintingsand whytheSpanishartistsdepictedNativeAmericansandAfricansaspoorcomparedtotheSpanish whoweredepictedaswealthy.ItissaidthatthereasonSpanishartistscreatedthesepaintingswasto ensuretheirwealthbysendingoffpaintingstoSpaininordertoboastabouttheirstatusofbeing nobleclassaswellastheirsuccessinTheNewWorldAlthoughSpain'sauthorityinEuropebegan toweaken,anincreaseofimmigrationfromEuropetoAmericawouldlatergiverisetoan everlastingeffectwhentheEnglishwouldsooncolonizeAmerica.Overthecourseoftime,slavery hadtakenanincreasethroughoutNorth

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AmericanHistory:OurHopefortheFutureAsIpeeroutthebuswindowIamamazedbythesight. Alarge,ovalshapedsetupoutlinedwithhighcementpillarsrepresentingeverystateandterritory whoparticipated.AsIgetoffthebusandgetacloserlookInoticewreathsstationedatboththe PacificandAtlanticsides,connectingeverythinginaformofcelebration.Inthecenter,water dancesupintotheskyandtricklesbackintothepool,readytogoagainOldGlorycanbeseen greetingmetothishappyplace.Iwalkaroundtoeachpillar,inaweatitsgreatness.Astrongsense ofprideissentthroughoutmybodyasIcatchaglanceatmyhomestate.Ithinktomyself"Iama partofthis"AsImakemywayaround,alongtheshowmorecontent "Ididn'tfight."Hetoldmebluntlyafterafewmoments.Ididn'tpressanyfurther.Tofinishmy projectIaskedmygreatuncle,whofoughtincombat.Heinformedmethatmygrandpahadtohelp cleanuptheconcentrationcampsandbattlefieldsafterthewarhadconcluded.Nowonderhedidn't wanttotalkaboutit.AsIwalkmywaythroughthemuseum,Icannotbringmyselftospeak.Iread everyboard,poster,andanalyzedeverypictureSoonImademywayaroundacornerandaroom couldbeseenupahead.AsIstepintotheroom,itfindithardtotakebreaths.Onbothsidesofthe walkareshoesofthemurdered.Icouldn'tbelievethesight,thesmell,orthevibeoftheroom.I smelleddeath,despair,sadness,andburning.Ifeltterrified.TheHolocaustmuseummadealasting impactonme.Ifamemorialcouldaffectmeinsuchaway,Icannotevenstarttoimaginewhatmy grandfatherhadtogothroughWarcancausegreatdestructiontothoseinvolveddirectly,indirectly, andevenmanydecadeslater.Thehistorymygrandfatherfacednotonlyimpactedhisfuture,but mineaswell.Imaynevergettoknowwhatmygrandfatherexperienced.Thesadtruthstrikesme thathewillnotbearoundformuchlongertotellhistaleTheseveteranssufferfrommanymental disordersthataffecttheireverydaylives.Somearenoticeabletoothers,whileothersaresilent. These

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Whenitcomestosomeimportanteventsbefore19thcenturyinUnitedStates,wemustmentionthe AbolitionMovement,whichbeganin1930s,andendedwithEmancipationProclamation.Justlike ourtextbook–––AShortHistoryoftheAmericanNation,¡°Noreformmovementofthiserawas moresignificant,moreambiguousincharacter,ormoreprovocativeoflaterhistoricalinvestigation thanthedrivetoabolishslavery¡±

AbolitionMovementwasnotonlymeaningfultoitself,thatis,slaverywasabolishedandblack slaveswerefreed,butalsomeaningfultothewholenation,becauseitexertedmuchinfluenceson AmericansocietyandeconomyInthispaper,Iwillfirstlypresentabriefintroductionaboutslaves inNorthAmerican.Secondly,...showmorecontent...

Itseemedthatslaverydevelopedverywellinsouth,andsouthernerswantedtokeepit,butitcould nottosaythatallclassesinAmericahadthesameideasassoutherners,suchasblacksand northerners.Wherethereisdisagreement,thereisconflict.Withthepaceofhistory,peoplewho foughtagainstslaverystartedtheAbolitionMovementFirstofall,let¡scometosocialconditions

Everyeventtakesplaceundersomecertainsociety.AbolitionMovementisnoexception.First,itis knownthatAmericapassedtheBillofRightsin1789,whichallowedAmericancitizenstohave democraticrights,butblacksandIndianswerenotincluded.Thisdocumentadmittedtheexistence ofslaveryinAmerica

Second,withthedevelopmentofbothnorthandsouth,thereweremoreandmoreconflictsbetween them,becausetheyhaddifferentsystems.Northwasofcapitalism,andsouthwasofplantation. Here,I¡dliketomentionthemostseriousevent,whichsharpenedtheconflictbetweensouthand north,thatis,theMissouriCompromise.Thiswasaheatedpoliticalbattlebetweenslaveownersof southandcapitalistsofnorth.ThefocusoftheirconflictwasMissourishouldbecomeaslavestate orafreestate.ThisissuerelatedtothebalanceofsouthandnorthinSenate,sobothsideswantedto bemorepowerful.

Thispoliticalconflict,risingfromtheestablishmentofMissouriState,wasthe

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InterpretationsofAmericanHistory

Theworldisfullofrichculture,diversityandexperiencesuniquetoeachindividual.When determiningthevalidityofhistoricaccountswemustfactorinthatparticularhistorian'spointof view,whichshouldbecharacterizedbyethnicity,idealogy,theoreticalormethodological preferenceWiththesefactorsviewsofthepastoftenvaryfrompersontopersonInthisessayIwill bediscussingthefourdifferentstagesthatshapedthewritingofAmericanhistoryoverthelast400 years.

AccordingtoCouvares,thewritingofAmericanhistoryhaspassedthroughfourstages:the providential,therationalist,thenationalist,andtheprofessional.Theprovidentialstagetookplace duringtheshowmorecontent

BancroftbelievedthatAnglo–Saxonswereraciallydestinedtoleadandspreadfreedomacrossthe globe.WiththeestablishmentofJohnHopkinsUniversity,collegeeducationbecamemorecommon amongmiddle–classAmericans,howeveronlywealthywhitemenstillonlyhadaccesstothatkind ofeducation.Thisnewwaveofhistoriansinsistedthatknowledgeofhistoryandphysicswereof equalimportance.

ThefinalstageofAmericanhistoryandprogressionaccordingtoCouvares,wastheprofessional stage.Professionalscholarsrosetoprominencefrom1910–1945.Thesehistoriansbelievedthat modernity,industrialization,urbanization,andclassconflicthadfundamentallychangedsociety CharlesBeardarguedthat"theconstitutionwasnottheproductofwisemenintentonbalancing libertyandorder,butacliqueofwealthymerchantsandlandownerswhowantedacentral governmentstrongenoughtodefendtheirprivilegesagainsttheunrulymasses"(Couvares77–2) Beardalsothoughtthatmanyofthemajorconflictsinsocietywerebetweeneconomicinterest groups.Manycriticsfoundflawsinhisidealogy,butatthesametimeitinspiredthemtofind answerstoquestionsthatplaguedthepeople.

Overthepast400years,thesehistoriansallhaddifferentstancesonhowtheythoughttoimprove societyWiththemixofculturalbackgrounds,andethnicitiesnotwoviewpointswilleverbe exactlythesame.Couvares

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From1754to1763,theFrenchandIndianWarcostBritaingreatly.Feelingthatthecolonists benefittedthemostfromthiswar,Britaindecidedtotaxthethirteencoloniestohelppayforit.After all,thewarprovidedthecolonistswithgreaterprotectionfromthenatives,andnowhadmoreland thathadbeenconqueredfromFrance.Colonistsintheearly1700'swereEnglishsubjects.As Englishmen,theywereentitledtocertainrightsOneoftheserightswastherewastobe"notaxation withoutrepresentation".DuetothevastdistanceEnglandwasfromthecolonies,itwasimpossible tohaveacolonistrepresentthecoloniesinParliament;thereforetheyshouldnothavetopaytaxes thatParliamentdictatedHavingParliamentdictateshowmorecontent Colonistsbegantoprotest,SamuelAdamswasoneofthemainleadersintheseprotests.InAugust of1764,heandJamesOtis,boycottedBritishimportsandencouragedcoloniststomanufacture goodsathome.(WikiSugarAct)Despitecolonialcontempt,"inearly1765,Greenvillepushed throughaconsiderablymoresweepingrevenuemeasureknownasTheStampAct."(Faragherpg. 137)AnythingthatwaspapergottaxedItmetgreatresistanceinthecoloniesColonialassemblies sentpetitionsandprotestspointingoutthattheyhadnorepresentation.TheStampActCongress, heldinNewYorkCity,wasthefirstsignificantresponsetoBritain'scontrol.Britishgovernment arguedthatthecolonistswerevirtuallyrepresented.Virtualrepresentationmayhaveworkedthey hadhadinternetfacetofacechats,butthatisnotevenclosetowhattheymeantbytheconcept. VirtualrepresentationmeantthatParliamentactedforthegoodofthenationasawhole,andnoton thewillofindividualdistrictsthatelectedthem.(Faragherpg.137)Thecolonistsnotonlyfeltthis asaninjustice,butasaninsult,astheywerebeingtreatedlikechildrenwhohadnosay.Protestsand demonstrationsinitiatedbytheSonsofLiberty(usuallymiddlingclass,butleaderswerericher) oftenturnedviolentanddestructiveasgroupsgainedmassintoangrymobs.Eventuallytax collectorswereintimidatedintoresigning.Thetaxwasnevereffectivelycollected.Colonistsweren't theonlyones

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"AmericanHistory:OurHopefortheFuture"

We'vehearditsaidthathistoryrepeatsitself.Andwhilethissayingisn'tmeanttobetakenliterally, andhistorydoesn'tactuallyrepeatitself.Therearesimilaroccurrencesbetweenthepresentandthe pastthatcouldcauseustobelieveitdoes.InthewordsofMarkTwain,¨Historydoesn'trepeat itselfbutitoftenrhymesLearningabouthistoryisimperativeinthatitcanpreventusfrom makingthesamemistakes.GeorgeSantayanasaid¨Thosewhocannotrememberthepastare doomedtorepeatit.¨Therefore,wecanusehistoryasasortofguidebooktoavoidreiterating previousmistakes,andeventoprovidesolutionstopresentproblemsThosewhodonotlearnabout historywon'tbeabletoimprovethefuture.LearningaboutAmericanhistoryteachesusto appreciatethemanyblessingsthatwehave.Becauseweknowthatinourdemocracy,wehavethe mostfreedomandshowmorecontent

Ourfreedomisboughtbyourbraveservicemembers,whoputtheirlivesonthelinesothatwecan livefreelyThesacrificestheymakeareonlysomethingasoldiercandoTheyleavethecomfortof theirhomesandfamiliestofaceanuncertainfuture.Theydothis,however,becausetheywanttheir countrytoprovidethebestqualityoflifefortheirfamiliesandtheirpredecessors. Youmayhaveheardthat¨eternalvigilanceisthepriceofliberty.¨Thismeansthatwewillalways needtocontinuefightingtoensureourfreedom.Wewillhavetotakenotesfromthosebrave warriorsbeforeusWhetherliterallyonthebattlefieldorstandingupforwhatwebelieveinNot lettinganyonestompontherightsourancestorsfoughtsofiercelyandbravelyfor.Ourhopeis conservingtheidealsournationwasfoundedon.Afewofthemincluding,democracy,rights, equality,opportunity,andindividuallibertyWewillalwaysremainthelandofthefreesolongas wearethehomeofthe

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Americanhistory,thoughnowherenearasepicasthehistoryofEurope,iswroughtwithitsown heroesandlegendarypersonalities.Thethreemostimportantspanpolitical,economic,andsocial borders.Inits300years,theUnitedStateshasnotseenfinerheroesthanBenjaminFranklin,Alan Greenspan,andMartinLutherKing,Jr.Theircontributionsinpolitics,regulationoftheUS economy,androlesinracialdiversity,theselegendshavenoprecedentBenjaminFranklin contributedtothecultureoftheUSthroughhisliteratureandhispoliticalpresence.Franklinwas bornintheearly18thcentury,whenEnglandstillhadagriponthepoliticsofthecolonies. Followingtherevolutionarywar,inwhichhehadimportantdiplomaticshowmorecontent Inessence,Greenspan’sjobisrunningtheday–to–dayandlong–termeconomiesofthe UnitedStates.Heisinvolvedininternationalanddomestictrade.Inaddition,heregulatesthestock market.TheeffecthehashadontheAmericanpublicisnotdirectlyfelt,butinawayheaffectsthe livesofeverycitizen.Onseveraloccasions,Greenspanhassavedthemarketfromfailurethrough quickactionHehasalwayschosenthesoundlong–termrouteoverashort–termbenefit,even againstprotest.ThemarketisadirectrepresentationoftheeconomyoftheUS,andGreenspanhasa hugeinfluenceonit.Becauseofthis,hechangesthecoreprocessofmoneymovementinAmerica everyday.Andsinceheneversuccumbstoshort–termprospects,Greenspanhasensuredasound futureeconomy.MartinLutherKing,Jr.waswithoutadoubtthemostimportantracerelations leaderinthehistoryoftheUnitedStatesKingwasthesinglemanwhoinspiredmillionstofightfor thecauseofunityintheUS.Despitethebanonslavery,Americahaddeepsegregationand prejudiceuntilthe1960s.KingdrovetheNegroesofAmericatomarchonWashington,D.C.to fightforrightsHewasbehindthemovementthatcausedJohnFKennedytosignabillofcivil rights.ItishardtoimaginewhattheUSwouldbeliketodaywithouthisdiligenceandvigilance. PerhapswewouldstillbelivinginaneralikethatofAtlanta,Georgiainthe1960s.Noonecansay

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AmericanHistoryEssays

AmericanHistoryItisimportanttobeproudofwhoyouareandwhereyouhavecomefrom.After watchingthefilmAmericanHistoryX,whitesarefarfromproud.Weareashamedtoadmitthat peoplejustlikeuscanactinsuchahorribleanddisillusionedwaytowardthosethataredifferent. Asyouwatch,youseescenesofbrutalviolence,hearsongsofhateandfeelthepainofallinvolved. Theseactsshowtheviewershoweasilyyoungmindscanbeinfluencedtobelieveanything Teachers,parents,siblingsoranypersonofauthorityinachild'slifecanhavethisdeepofanimpact onthem.AmericanHistoryXisthestoryofhowpowerfulaninfluencepeopleofimportancecan haveuponyouthAdultscanbetheenemyofmanyshowmorecontent

Thehatehehasforpeoplewhoaredifferentgrowsinsidetheteensofthegang.Theultimate manifestationofhisbrainwashingisthemurderoftwoblackmenbyDerek.YetDerek'sdownfall andracistnotionswerenotallcausedbyCameron'spropaganda,buttheinfluencesofhisfather.It isn'tuntilthenearendofAmericanHistoryXthattheviewerfindstherootcausesofDerek'swhite supremacistattitudesAblackandwhitesceneshowshiswholefamilyhappilyeatingdinner together.Hisfatheraskshimabouthisstudiesinschoolandatthementionofblackliterature, Derek'sfatherbeginshisrantabout"tradinggoodbooksforblackbooks."HetellsDereknotto believeeverythinghisteacher,Dr.Sweeney,hastosay.Astheconversationplayson,itsnowballs intosupposed"AffirmativeBlacktion"andwhitefiremenbeingbeatforajobjustbecausetheothers wereblackIntheend,Derek'sfathertellshim,"It'sallniggerbull*censored*"Theviewersees howDereksoaksinwhateverhisfathersaysandacceptsitastruth,claimingto"seewhathe's saying."Whenthefatherisshotandkilledatthesceneofafireinacrackhouse,Dereklashesoutat theblackcommunity,blamingthemforthetragicdeathThethoughtsinstilledbyhisfather,plushis ironicdeathfuelsDerek'sNazibeliefs.ThemotivesofDerek'smurdersstemfromthissituation.The beginningofthefilmshowsDannytellinghisbrotherthata

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EarlyAmericanHistory

Unitywithincolonieswasextremelystrongbecauseitwasassembledinaprimalurgeforsurvival.

Thecolonistswereinthisentirelynewland,soitwasnaturaltheywouldsticktogethertothe familiar,andthereforebuildstrongbondsandloyaltytotheircolonyExclusionalsoexcellently describesearlyAmericabecauseofthewaycoloniesexpelledtheirownpeopleiftheydidnot followthecolony'sstrictrules'oflife.Theprimarysourcedocuments;"CityuponaHill","Ann Hutchinson'sTrial","FoundingOfTheIroquoisLeague",and"TheMayflowerCompact"areall brilliantexamplesofthiscontradictoryyetsurprisinglyhonestviewofearlyAmericanhistory.Early AmericanHistoryshouldberememberedasshowmorecontent

Onemustremember,thought,thatinPuritanMassachusetts,theChurchandtheStatewereone. ThisispreciselywhyAnnHutchinsonisbeingtriedinastatecourtforcrossingPuritandoctrine. GovernorJohnWinthropissayingthat,accordingtoPuritandoctrine,tobecomeacquaintedwith someoneofareligionotherthanPuritanism,itputstoshametheparentsofthissinnerandthe dishonorsthewholePuritancolony.ThisisquiteindicativeofexclusionbecausethePuritans stoppedeveryoneoftheirfaithfromfriendlyinteractionwithsomeoneofadifferentfaith.The unjustandseverepunishmentwasthattheyweretobebanishedfromthecolony,theirfamily,their friends,andtheirchurchThisiswhathappenedtoAnnHutchinsonShewasexcludedfromher wholelifeallbecauseshequietlyquestionedsomeoftheChurch'sdecisionsanddidn'ttakekindly thespoon–fedPuritanprinciples.

EarlyAmericanHistoryshouldberememberedasatimeofunityaswellasexclusionbecausein eachseparatecolony,theyhadtounitetostayalive.Theyunitedingriefovertrialsandtribulations, suchasmassnumbersofdeath,especiallyintheearlycolonies,andhunger.Theyalsounitedin theirjoys,suchasmaybeagoodharvest,andintheirfaith.Faithwasahugeunisonfactor.

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AmericanHistoryX

Willracismevercometoanendorwillitspathgooninfinitely?Forthemostpart,themajorityof peoplerespectthosewhoaredifferenteitherincolor,race,and/orheritage;however,therearethose fewthatholdbigotedviewstowardspeoplewhoaredifferentthantheyareThemovieAmerican HistoryXbyTonyKayedisplaysanexampleofpeoplewhoholdbigotedviews.Derek,aNeo–Nazi leader,mustcontendwithhisactionsrelatingtohispastracistviewsandactions.Thispowerful movieexploresitscharactersthoroughlyandgivesreasonswhypeoplebecomesocallousandturn towardsaracistgroup.ItalsoexposesinsighttoproblemsthatplagueAmericawhenitcomesto racisminshowmorecontent

Derekrealizedthathatredtowardspeopledidnothelphim,hisfamily,orthesituationathand. Insteadofbeingnegativeanddestructive,whynotbepositive.Hurtingpeopleanddestroying propertydoesnotsolveproblems,butonlymakesthemworsebycausingmoreresentmentand tensionbetweenpeople(Theriou).Nothinggoodhasevercomeoutofasituationwhereoneperson hasbeenthevictimofacrimeorabuse.Goodthingscomeoutofsituationswherepeopleshow hospitality,goodwill,andcompassion;nothatred.

ItismadeveryclearthatDerekandDannyhavenoaffiliationswiththeKuKluxKlan.Derekcalls theKKKabunchofdisorganizedrednecksthatveryinanelyrunaroundwithsheetsontheirheads InsteadtheyarepartofaNeo–NazigroupinSouthernCalifornia.InAmericatodaythereare "estimatedtobeabout200,000members

6023associatedwithwhitepowergroups(includedintheseestimatesaresupportersandhardcore membersplustheirfamilies)"(Suall).Thatisalotofpeoplewhoareaffiliatedwithknownracist groups.WhenlookingontheInternetapersoncanrealizehowmuchhateispresentinourworld. JohnHronwebsitehasestimatesofNeo–Nazisincountriesandalittlebitabouthowthatcountry viewsNazism.Americahasabout85,000Neo–Nazimemberscomparedwith47,000GermanNeo–NazisGermanythoughhasalot

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ReflectionOnAfricanAmericanHistory

Overthecourseofthissemester,Iwasintroducedtomanypeople,ideas,writings,anddiscussions thatsparkedmyinterestandenlightenedmeonAfricanAmericanhistory.However,Ifeellikethis wasjustthebeginningofmyjourneyoflearningthehistoryofmypeople,asthereisstillsomuch outtheretobebroughttothesurface.Priortotakingthiscourse,Iwasalwaysignorantonthetopic ofAfricanAmericanhistoryandsimplymadetheconnectiontoslaveryAdditionally,Iwas unawareofotherblackactivist,movements,andstrugglesthatIhadthechancetowitnessforthe firsttimeinthisclass.IcametoarealizationofhowdeprivedofthisinformationIwas,because otherhistoriceventshavebeendeemedmoreimportantAquotethatstuckwithmethroughoutthe coursethatwasmadebyArthurSchomburgwas,"...Africanhistoryandnegrohistory,arethe missingpagesofworldhistory".Atthestartofthissemesterwediscussanissuethathaspoisoned thedynamicofsocietyintheUnitedStatessincethebeginning,whitesupremacy.Forcenturies, membersofthewhitecommunityhavesimplyusedthecoloroftheirskintoattainandremainin powerInmyopinion,thosethatusetheirwhiteprivilegetopartakeinwhitesupremacyaretheonly oneswhobenefitfromthispoison.WhitesupremacycontinuestobefueledintheUnitedStates,and playsjustasbigofafactorintoday'sworldasitdidmanyyearsago.Thereisnoretaliationfor uproarsor ...Getmorecontent...

AmericanHistory:OurHopefortheFutureBrokenglasscracksunderbootcladfeet,asacleanup crewsbegintheirworkonthedevastatingsceneofshatteredwindows,graffitiriddenwalls,and charredbuildingsandbushes.Theviewwearsevidenceofchaosasadiamondnecklace,adornedfor theworldtosee.Thenightbefore,riotsraged,withhatredasitsdrivingfuel.Firesblazed,rocks werethrownthroughwindowsanddoors,fistsflew,andbarrierswerestrewnthroughoutgrass lawns,havingfailedtheirjobtokeepapeacefuldistance.Thesubjectofallthisviolence,ayoung republicanwhoplannedtospeakjustinsideofSproulHallatUCBerkeley.Scenesliketheoneat UCBerkeleyhavebecomesomewhatofacommonplaceintheshowmorecontent Theresult?Oneofthelongeststanding,andoneofthemostrespectedconstitutionstheworldhas seen.Furthermore,thiscountryhasexperienced,defeated,andthrivedthroughoneofthedeepest dividesanycountrycanexperience,acivilwar.Dividedovertheemancipationofslavesandstates rights,statesliterallysucceededfromtheunion.Itisapartofourhistorythathasbeentoldtous overandoversincethethirdgradeTheunionandsouthernconfederacywenttowar,thesouthlost, andconsequently,slaverywasended.Evenso,fewtrulyunderstandtheimpactoftheunionvictory. Ourcountrywasreunitedunderoneflagandoneconstitution;wewereoneunionofstates.Ifour countrycansurvivethroughacivilwar,thegreatdivide,canwenotsurvivethroughthepolitical dividessorelevanttoday?Canwenotresolveargumentsofinequalityandhumanrights?Evenmore recently,therewasthecivilrightsmovementthat,similartotoday,whatwassupposedtobe peacefulprotestswithacivilizedgoal,becameviolent.AfricanAmericansfightingfortheirrightsas citizens,wereshutdownbypeoplerefusingtoseeacontrastingsidetotheirown.Theyresortedto violence,ratherthansimplylisteningtoanother'spointofviewProtesterswereblastedwithfire hoses,physicallyandverballyassaulted,andhoundedbydogs.Theykepttheirpeacefulstance regardlessoftorment.Itwasthepeacefulthatprevailed.We

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AmericanHistoryEssay

UnitedStates,2006:anationwithahistoryofamere230years,yetitstandsasoneofthemost powerfulnationsintheworld.Yetmanyofusknowlittleaboutthehistoryandculturalchangesthat ledtothebirthofthisnation.Weonlyknowthebitsandpiecesthataretaughtaswesit daydreaminginourfifthgradeclassroom.ThePuritans,thePilgrims,ChristopherColumbus,the Mayflower,weknowaboutthesepeopleandthings,yetwhataspectsoftheirlivescreatedthe changeinAmerica?Theanswertothisquestioncanbefoundbyobservingthechangesinreligion, women'srole,andcoloniallawasitbroughtaboutthechangeinthePuritan'sculturalvalues.In 1630,thefirstgroupofPuritansunderthenameoftheshowmorecontent PuritanismfortheMassachusettsBayColonyconsistedofseeingtheBibleasaguide,justifying theiractionsthroughfaith,andfinallybelievinginpredestination.

However,thismodelthatstoodasthefoundationfortheMassachusettsBayColonyshattered decadeslaterafterthemovementwhichcametobeknownastheGreatAwakening.TheGreat AwakeningasdefinedbyEdwinGaustadandMarkNollinADocumentaryHistoryofReligionin America,"InthatwaveofreligiousexcitementknownastheGreatAwakening,manyfoundthe depthsofreligiousfeelingmoremeaningfulthanthesuperficialityofdenominationorlanguageor evenrace."Thismovementrevivedreligiousenthusiasminthemass,increasingreligion'srolein dailylives.Aftergenerationofdeclinationinthebeliefofabiblicalcommonwealththatthe colonies'foundingfatherhadsetforth,theGreatAwakeningrevivedthesefeelingsHowever,the movementdidnothaverevertthenewgenerationofPuritanstothinkingofwhattheirforefathers believedin.Themovementencouragedpeopletolearnthebibleandinterpretitontheirown withouttheaidsoftheministerFurthermore,italsobroughtaboutanincreaseinreligiousbelief, playedaroleindecreasingprejudiceandidentificationdifferencesasitallowedblackstoalso becomeChristians.Allthesechangesinreligionalsobrought

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AsIwritethispaper,IreflectonmyexperienceinEarlyAmericanHistoryandhowmygroup's finalprojectwent.Overall,theclasswassignificantlymoredifficultthanIfirstthoughtitwouldbe. GoingintotheclassIoriginallyassumedthiswouldbeaprettysimpleGEPwithminimaleffort requiredtogetanAintheclass.ThoseassumptionsweredispelledfairlyquicklywhenIarrivedat thefirstclass.Theteacherwasgoingoverthesyllabusfortheclassandexplainingtheweekly assignmentswewouldhaveWewererequiredtocovercertainsectionsofachapterbasedonthe topicwechosetocoverthroughouttheentiretyofthecourse.Weweretocompletethiseveryweek anddiscusswhatwehaddiscoveredinclass.Wewouldalsohavetowritetwoessaysandcomplete severalmandatoryreadingsandpodcasts.Totopallofthisoff,wewouldhavetocompleteafinal projectthatincludesanotheressay.Buttheonethingthatturnedouttobethehardesttaskofthe classwasnotanyoftheseassignments,butwastheparticipationgradeThisclasstaughtmethatI shouldavoidtakingeight–thirtyclassesifatallpossible.Istruggledwithmissingclassesdueto oversleepingandstruggledwithstayingawakeduringtheclasseswhenIwaspresent.Thiswasdue tomypoormanagementoftime,balancingROTC'smorningPT,gettingtoclass,andhomeworkat night.ThishastaughtmethatIneedtocompleteworkearlier.Thisclassalsotaughtmesomemore history ...Getmorecontent...

Americashistoryiswhatdefinesusandwhoweareasacountry.Wewerebuiltonhardwork, sacrifice,wantingtobefreeandindependenttobewhowewantto.Nowa–days,weseemtohave fallenawayfromthis.Everythingisgiventoussoeasilyonourcomputerandthroughtechnology thatwehavenoneedtoworkhardanymore.Thisisthedownfallinhumanitybecauseaswekeep going,lifewillcontinuetogeteasierandwewon'twanttodoanythingHistoryisourhopesothat wecanlearnfromwhatwedidinourpastandhowthingsweredonethen.Forstarters,wecansee whatmistakeswedidandmakesurewedon'tdothemagain.Ifwecontinuetothesamethingover andoveragain,there'snowayforoursocietytoimprovefromthisOurshowmorecontent Wehadtodealwithsuppressionwithourreligionandfreedoms,andourfoundationisbuiltonthis.

Ifwehadn'twanttobefree,Idoubtourcountrywouldstandingheretoday.Menandwomen workedhardandsomesacrificealltheyhadlookingtothefutureandmakingsurewedidn'thaveto gothroughwhattheyhad.Everyoneworkedhardforwhattheyhad,andthat'swherewegetthe phraseAmerican–madePeopleappreciatedthisbecausetheyknewsomeonehadspentalotoftime andeffortintomakingthis.Ifpeoplehadthisattitudetodayandthewillingnesstoputintheworkto getwhattheywanted,ournationasawholewouldbemuchmoresuccessful.Ifournationhadn't comefromthis,IdoubtwewouldhavenearasmuchpridetobeAmerican.Thisiswhyweshould lookatthepasttogetourhope.Ifwetaketoheartwhatwesee,wecanchangetheoutcomeof whereourcountryisheadedatthismomentEvenforindividuals,wecanworkhardtogetwhere wewantinlife.Thisiswhatitmeanstofindourhistoryinthepast.Ifwecanstartacountrylike thisbackthen,thinkaboutwhatwecoulddonowinthismind–set!Workinghardiswhatshould defineus,andthat'swhywehaveprideinournationandwhatitstands

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HowdidAmericansocietychangeinthetwodecadesaftertheFirstWorldWar?

WorldWarIwasacatalystofthegreatdepression.U.S.attemptedtorebuildforapproximatelyfour yearsafterWorldWarI.Duetothecasualtiesofthewar,theworkforcewaslacking.Therepayment ofwartimedebtsbecametoughforthepeopleThey'resignificanthugeincreaseunemployment Thus,parentswerehavingsignificantproblemsfeedingandclothingtheirfamilies.Becauseofthe lackofmoneythere,weresignificanteffectsonconsumergoods.

In1929theWallStreetCrashedandfortuneswerelostandthestockmarketwascrippled. Businesseswerevirtuallywipedout,inaslittleamountoftimeasaweek..

Howdidthefederalgovernment...showmorecontent...

Inmyopinion,thepeopleandgovernmentallbenefitedfromthenewactsanddepartmentssetup overseethefollowingareas:

1.Thebankingsystemwhichwasstrengthenedandbenefitsboththebankingsystemandthepeople

2TheSocialSecurityActwassetuptohelpouttheelderly

3.TheHouseSector,theNewDealstimulatedprivatehomebuildingindustryandthisincreasedthe numberoffamiliesbuyinghouses

4.Unionsweresetuptohelpthepoorworkingclasspeople.Theunionsmadeworkingconditions morefairfortheaverageperson.

ThesearejustafewoftheActsthathelpoutthepeople

Inmyopinion,thepeoplewhosufferedbecauseofthesechangeswerewomenandNative AmericansItwasfeltthattheNewDealActsweresetuptobenefitmen

MostpeoplesawtheIndianReorganizationasafailurebecausesomeofthetribalself–government Manyreservations,itsprovisionshaveexacerbateddifferencesbetweentraditionalandthosewho haveadoptedaEuropean–Americanways.Native

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AmericansHistoryisn'tperfect,butwehavedonesomeprettygreatthings.Imean,lookatother countries,theydon'thaveaperfectrecordeither.Everycountryhassomethingtheyaren'tproudof, eitherifitwasapointlesswarorabloodymess.Buteventhroughallthatnegativethereisalways somethingpositivetolookat.Inmyopinionwehavedonemorepositivethingsthannegative thingsWehaveevolvedsomuchandmadesomanyadvancesinsociety,science,andmultipleother things.Whatisevenmoreamazingisthatwehelpedothercountriesfrombeingoppressedandgave themfreedomwhichtheydeserve.TheactionsoftheUnitedStateswerepositiveattheturnofthe centurybecausetheUnitedStateshadgrownasacountry,helpedothercountriesgrowandbecame arecognisedworldpower.

OnereasonthatAmericanactionswerepositiveinothercountriesbecauseHawaiibecameapartof theunitedstates.TheUnitedStatessawHawaiiasafriendandlookedatallofitspossibilities. Americansowned¾ofthesugarplantationsinHawaiiandalreadyhadthrivingbusinesses.

Furthermore,Militaryleadershaveprospectsofshowmorecontent

acquisitionofterritoriesinthewesternpacificandLatinAmerica.Italsocausedthesigningofthe TreatyofParis,whichSpainrenouncedallclaimstocountrieslikeCuba,cededGuamandPuerto RicototheUnitedStates.TheUnitedstatesthepurchasedthePhilippinestotheUnitedStatesfor $20,000,000.EventhoughAmericahadtofightawarwiththePhilippinesanddidnotenduptaking controloftheislandstheyhadmanagedtoclaimThiswarisalsoverysignificantbecauseitwasa turningpointinthehistoryofbothsides.ItactuallyhelpedinSpainturnawayfromnationsoverseas andfocusonitseconomicdevelopment.ItalsoemergedtheUnitedStatesasarecognisedworld

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AmericanHistory

AmericanHistoryanditspeopleareextremelyimportanttothehealthandprogressionoftheir nation.Somayplayedacriticalpartinshapingthisnationintowhatitistoday.Eventhoughmany wouldlovejusttofocusonthecrisisandbaddecisionsthatsomehavemadeOurcountryis consideredthelandofthefree,landofopportunity,landofdreamscomingtrue.Wecan'tletbad choicesbyafewselectcloudwhoweareandcelebratethegreatachievementswehavemade togetherasanationTodosowouldbetomakeamockeryoutofthelivesofthosewhoworkedso hardtoshapethisnationintooneofthegreatestnationsontheearth.Mostofthesepeopleacted fromaplaceofstrongfaithandbeliefs.Theyforgedonagainstadversityandhostilitybecauseof thishopeinGodandinfreedom.

ThomasJeffersonwasamanwhohelpedestablishthiscountryonfaith.Hewastheinitialauthorof theDeclarationofIndependenceandkeytoaffirmingfreedomandrightsforAmericansJefferson introducedthestatueofreligiousfreedom.Thisisstillhavinganimpactonoursocietytodayand hashelpedsolidifyChristians'faithacrossthiscountry.Jeffersonwaspresidenttheyears1800–1808 andheoversawtheexpansionofAmericanterritoryinthewest.

BenjaminFranklinplayedakeyroleinencouragingthediversecoloniestogaintogetherinthewar ofindependenceHelaterservedasanAmericanambassadortoFranceandhelpedtocement ...Getmorecontent...