American Revolution

The American Revolution was the beginning of America gaining the powerful leadership we have today, our government. Though many would fight that our government only empowers those in power it could be fought. That statement may be true; it does seem that the people our government favors are the wealthy and powerful citizens, and not the working class men and women that I consider to be the countries backbone. The government has laws in place that keep the country working as a well-oiled machine, for both the rich and poor.

Zinn says “The reality behind the words of the Declaration of Independence was that a rising class of important people needed to enlist on their side enough Americans to defeat England, without disturbing too much the relations of wealth and power that had developed over 150 years of colonial history.” Zinn meant that he believes that the Declaration of Independence was created as a means of freeing the US from England without the wealthy to become poor. He also says "So even that gesture towards the black slave was ommited from the American Revolution's great manifesto of freedom." Explaining the equality even with in are own declaration of independence.

            Zinn shows us the reality of are history not just the glorification they have painted for us as children. The United States constitution was created to form a strong government, but didn’t specify on who it would include. Eventually over time, as all cultures do. We evolved our ways of thinking and stopped slavery, gave everyone "equal rights", let everyone vote, and now we are even attempting to pay back our debt to the Native Americans. Not everything has changed. We still (as a nation) have many problems. Change is always happening and I can see our nation changing every day as a whole, becoming more aware of our problems and finding more solutions. But the fact still reminds class is what separates this country. For as to fix this country we need to help every one not just the wealthy.Although we may not wont to see it there is a class war going on . The dictatorship of the wealthy have been controlling this country for to long. I'm very grateful that Zinn is bring light to it.

Zinn, Howard. "Tyrany Is Tyranny." A People's History Of The Unite States. New York: New York, 2003. Print

Two Sick Men

I do not agree with George Fitzhugh’s thoughts. George Fitzhugh believes in slavery for both whites and blacks. He believes that slavery was a way to protect the slaves, like a child needs protecting by its parents. Fitzhugh believed that slave owners were protecting the slaves from harm in society. Fitzhugh says “He the Negro is but a grown up child, and must be governed as a child, not as a lunatic or criminal.”

James Henry Hammond had similar thoughts to Fitzhugh. Hammond said “Our slaves are black, of another and inferior race. That status in which we have placed them is an elevation. They are elevated from the condition in which God created them, by being made our slaves.” Hammond not only believed in slavery being a necessity, but also molested three of his nieces. Hammond was a twisted individual, he believed that blacks were a lesser race and thought that the ways in which they were being treated was better than they deserved.

I do not agree with either of these men. I believe they are both ignorant and I cannot believe they would try to justify slavery as necessary. These men believed in slavery because it was profitable to them, and because they were blinded at the time. I believe slavery is one (and continues to be one) of the worst things about this country. Everyone deserves the right to be free, then and now.

Bibliography

1.    "Mudsill Theory." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. Web. 15 Dec. 2011. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/aia/part4/4h3439.html>.

2.      "George Fitzhugh advocates slavery" WebCT. Dec. 2011.http://webct.dvc.edu/SCRIPT/HIST120_5179_FA11/scripts/student/serve_page.pl?1219012956+readings120_onlinea.htm+OFF+readings120_onlinea.html.