I was fascinated by the American Revolution (1763–1789) and the Industrial Revolution (1876–1900) before I even started reading this novel. I was interested in learning the specifics of how the American Revolutionary War began and developed into a global battle. The knowledge of the revolutionary war, in my opinion, was a good place to start to understand the tradition. It appears that fighting wars is part of American culture. In the nation where there have been significant improvements in the field, the industrial revolution piqued my interest at the same time. The move from agrarian to industrialization is central to the understanding of the trend of development beyond the economic aspects. Importantly, the shift from the use of hand tools to the application of machines raises concern. Though the advancement was a force to reckon, it is inevitable to learn how America ended up from the time the industries became a source of livelihood to many to the point when joblessness has become an issue that requires attention.
Eras found interesting after reading the book
Chapter nine of Howard Zinn's book presents the eras of slavery and emancipation. The growth in plantation agriculture especially in the south demanded the use of slaves for labor. Importantly, the topic discusses how rebellion led by blacks started the journey towards emancipation. Notable figures including Nat Turner and Denmark Vesey intensified slave revolt (Zinn 169). The elaborate discussion about the Underground Railroad underscores the hidden techniques used by slaves to fight for liberation. The mention of great black orators led by Frederick Douglas with his counterpart Sojourner Truth brings forth the narratives of slavery from the victims' perspective (Zinn 171). At the same time, The Civil War is interesting to read as it elaborates on drafting, a system of recruiting soldiers to fight in the confrontation. From the reading, I discovered that the poor suffered most because they could not raise $300 dollars to avoid enlisting (Zinn 187). Another important era is the Emancipation Proclamation where President Abraham Lincoln freed slaves in 1863. The emancipation is an important epoch where the black people were freed.
The chapter enjoyed most
The third chapter, Drawing the Color Line, chronicles the beginning and expansion of racial differences in America. Slaves had settled in America by the 17th Century and by 1800, about 50 million Africans had been either seized or killed from the tortures associated with slave trade (Zinn 29). The Middle Passage as known presents the horrific details of how Africans suffered in the hands of the whites who reduced them to commodities of trade. According to the author, over 10 million Africans survived the terrifying experience of the period. Significantly, it is amazing to know that the success of slave trade was perpetuated by fellow Africans. The slave traders divided Africans by creating ethnic boundaries that rendered them weak for seizing. Attempts by slaves to escape the system were met with severe punishments such as whippings and even hanging.
Considerably, the harsh punishment on slaves who attempted to flee was not deterred (Zinn 36). It follows that the blacks' spirit of resilience saw the emergence of Underground Railroad that guaranteed many successful escapes. The escapees sought refuge in the northern part of the country where slavery was not practiced. Sadly, the indigenous Americans suffered when the authorities extended punishment to them if found harboring escaped slaves. Moreover, the revelation that the white minorities were deceived into deepening racial hatred to discourage them from helping slaves into freedom is worth noting. The whites in question suffered almost the same condemned status with slaves as indentured laborers. Ideally, the chapter delved deep into the understanding of slavery and how the system was sustained through repressive laws and racial ideologies. Moreover, it is crucial to know that the captives succeeded because of their resilience.
Chapter that brought new insights
Chapter eighteen, The Impossible Victory: Vietnam raises questions regarding the nature of war that America fought between 1964 and 1972. First, the chapter raises questions on the reasons why America joined the war. Accordingly, it indicates the state claimed to be fighting in the war to stop communism that was in Asia from spreading to America. According to the author, the authorities did not give a clear explanation as to the motivating force behind the decision except the economic ideologies. However, the writer explains that America was actually interested in the resources in the country. It wanted to control oil, rubber, tin, rice, and corn among others. Additionally, the chapter reveals that America opposed the unification of Vietnam because they wanted to control the country and its resources.
Second, it discloses that seven million tons of bombs were used by America by the end of the war. The revelation shows the damaging nature of the conflict and the economic effect it had on America. Hence, it raises question on whether America was safeguarding only its capitalist policies or it was focusing on taking resources in the land. Third, the chapter also elaborates on the killing of innocent people by the soldiers. It highlights how the soldiers, at some point, forced citizens into a pit and shot them. The description of the episode sows the damage of war and how American soldiers were dehumanized by the war. Needless to say, there is a letter in the chapter from a soldier to his parents where he praises the army's destructive actions in Vietnam.
The interesting quote
The quote is in chapter one where Zinn (8) quotes Las Casas saying that the Spaniards "thought nothing of knifing Indians by tens and twenties and of cutting slices off them to test the sharpness of their blades." Las Casas tells how "two of these so-called Christians met two Indian boys one day, each carrying a parrot; they took the parrots and for fun beheaded the boys." The quote is interesting because it shows the cruelty of the Spaniards that perceived other human beings of objects for play. They kill at will and do not feel any guilt in what they do to the innocent people. Where does one get the courage to kill people, innocent people, in their own land? The puzzling nature of the Spaniards captures the need to condemn such evil acts, injustices, which were done to the Native Americans. The description of cutting them into several pieces shows the intensity of hatred and insensitivity that violates human rights and erodes a sense of humanity.
Further, the depiction of the ruthless Spaniards as Christians shows the ironical nature of such people expected to extend love to other persons. By taking the parrots and then senselessly beheading the two boys is a mockery to humanity. It appears that the Spaniards were not even interested only in the resources in the land but also defiling humanity among the natives. By selecting the quote where children become victims, Zinn communicates his theme that savagery and primitivism were not exercised by the native races but rather the communities that pretended to be the agents of civilization. The voyages and explorations by the whites were a spread of human destruction and other related abuses that the world should never forget. Apparently, the author offers an alternative history of conquest and civilization by recreating the memories of human subjugation.
Chapter that helped in understanding something new in American History
Chapter six, The Intimately Oppressed, provides a new insight into the history of the experiences of women in the country (Zinn 109). The chapter presents them as the oppressed that were undermined from making significant steps by the masculine society. Whether in the political, economic, social and even military settings, women were largely excluded as the spheres were regarded as the domain for the male gender. However, the chapter explains how the situation changed as the women elite began to demand for political rights. Women activists led by Abigail Adams forced their husbands to consider women liberties in the constitution. The movement was heightened by the participation of women from the working class that were denied equal treatment with men including poor working conditions and lower pay as compared to their male counterparts.
I learnt from the reading that the middle class women sought for the expansion of educational boundaries (Zinn 117). Consequently, women including Elizabeth Blackwell and Harriot Hunt fought to pursue medicine in the country's medical school and elsewhere. Notably, it is inspiring to learn of the abolitionist women including Margaret Fuller and Lucy Stone who emerged and condemned slavery and demanded equal voting rights for both genders (Zinn 117). In essence, the chapter celebrates the emergence of women from the low position they occupied in history. It shows how women struggled to earn their rights in the society where the female gender was ignored and oppressed. Looking at the current great women figures in America, it is satisfying to know the history, marked with obstacles that they overcame to rise.
The story to be remembered most
In the first chapter, Zinn details the voyage of Christopher Columbus on his arrival on the island of the Bahamas (Zinn 1). Columbus describes the people on the island as primitive with no sense of the existence of other worlds. The author quotes him picturing the naked people who had bamboo sticks for spears and had never seen a knife in their lives. He writes that the ignorance of the natives qualified them as good slaves that can be controlled by a few whites. The voyager experimented by forcing them to direct him to the place of gold and they obliged. According to Zinn, the discovery by Columbus was the genesis of the introduction of slave trade, exploration, as well as the exploitation of resources in places that were later colonized by European forces.
Evidently, the author shows how the search for prized commodities such as gold led to the discovery of new cultures. Hence, the powerful European and American forces took advantage of the welcoming nature of other communities to exploit them. The dehumanizing nature of the white race is evident as presented in the book. At the same time, the author also illustrates how racism began long before colonialism. Significantly, Columbus' descriptions of the natives create images of savagery and backwardness that create a false impression that controlling them was necessary. The greed for gold and cheap labor among the whites unmasked the hidden pretext of the white race. Additionally, the writings by Columbus demonstrate the dangers of telling other people's narratives. Possibly, the tale would have been different if it were created by the people of the Bahamas. Racism, it appears, delves deeper than skin color differences and expresses itself through writing. In other words, Columbus deprives the Bahamas community of their sense of identity and cultural pride.
Person to read more about
Frederick Douglas fascinates me. As presented in the book, the figure was a great agitator against slavery (Zinn 171). As a former slave, Douglas would be interesting to read about his suffering while serving on the plantation in America. I would like to know how he managed to escape to freedom and why other slaves were unable to run away from the system. There is also a need to know if there were other slaves that managed to escape with him and whether there were white supporters who aided his freedom. Moreover, Douglas is resourceful in the quest to know how he attained reading and writing skills yet slaves were denied such chances.
Works Cited
Zinn, Howard. A People's History of the United States. New York, 2016. Print.
