A History of Democracy and Freedom

Since the colonial period (1500-17750) including the early Republic (1775-1820,) until the antebellum period (1820-1860) are marked as a history of the democracy and freedom. All of these we can find in the book entitled, “Voices of the people’s history of the United States” by Howard Zinn. Also, this is a wonderful book because Mr.Zinn wrote it with a lot of details and explanations to make it even easier understand. However, there is some information that was not clearly to me and therefore I needed some one who could explain them in others words, just like my professor Bencivenni did for me. In this course students can learn much information about U.S history. Likewise, all of my classmates and I shared all of we know about U.S. history. Also, we have another concept of history since the origins until the civil war. I would like to mention what I learned in this course. In addition, I would like to apply my knowledge of the course material to analyze factual information and to offer in my own words my interpretation of U.S history from the beginning to the Civil War.

            The colonial period is a phase of democracy and freedom because it was a period when Christopher Columbus and others Spaniards went to America with the intention of settling the land were Indians lived. At the beginning Indians treated Spaniards as angels from Heaven. However, Spaniards treated Indians as dogs. For instance, Spaniards put Indians to work for them. Also, they committed other acts of force and violence and oppression which make the Indians realize that the Spaniards did not came from Heaven; as a result, Indians were fighting with the Spaniards to get freedom. Furthermore, a man named Bartolome De Las Casas struggled for many years to stop the cruelties of Spaniards committed to the Indians. Bartolome De Las Casas said that Indians were human beings and therefore we have to treat them as humans.

          Another stage of the colonial period was The Salem Witchcraft Trials. This stage was about a group of girls who were performing a strange dance in the woods. They were considered as witches. Then, they were accusing other residents that they were the real witches. Those residents were found guilty of denial of witchcraft. Later, they were sentenced to execution.

            The second period which many people call it a history of democracy and freedom, it is the early Republic. One of the most recognized stages of this period was the Declaration of independence written by Thomas Jefferson in 1775. At this time; the United States had thirteen colonies under control of England. Then, Thomas Jefferson and other men decided to be independent from England. Jefferson in his first draft of the Declaration of Independence wrote the famous line “All men are created equal.” He also said referring to democracy that we have to create a government which has to protect our rights. Otherwise, we have the right to change the system of that government. However, we should not change it for weak reasons.

         Another stage of the early Republic was the constitution of the United States. It was adopted in its original form on September 17, 1787 by the constitutional convention in Philadelphia. Nevertheless, it took effect on March 9, 1789. Moreover, the constitution of the UnitedState is one of the oldest constitutions still in use. Also, I know that the bill of rights were the ten amendment added to the constitution in 1791. People call the constitution a source of freedom and democracy because it gives rights to everyone since childhood until death. For example, the amendment XIII talks about the abolition which says that anyone can be punished for crime. Also, the amendment XIV talks about the Civil rights and the amendment XV says that everyone who is born in the United States is citizen and therefore he/she should vote.

         Third period which is often used to refer to the period of increasing sectionalism leading to the American civil war is called antebellum period. During this period we can find the annexation of Texas which in 1836 declared its independence from Mexico. Also, during this time the president of the United States was James Polk, a democrat and expansionist elected in 1844. His main objective as president was the acquisition of California which was part of Mexico. Moreover, John o’ Sullivan, editor of the democratic review used a phrase that would become famous, “Our manifest destiny to overspread the continent allotted by providence for the free development of our yearly multiplying millions.” This line manifest destiny, which reflects the belief that Americans were divinely chosen to spread their values across the continent.

        In conclusion, from the colonial period to the antebellum, including the early Republic is what we call a history of democracy and freedom because people at that time did not know what the meaning of freedom or democracy was. However, they always were trying to get independence, just like Thomas Jefferson did making the Declaration of Independence. During this course I have learned many things about the history of the United States and others, thanks to my professor Bencivenni. I smartly like when Jefferson said that we have the right to change the system of our government if it does not protect our rights. Also, I know that these rights are liberty, equality and pursuit of happiness. One of my favorite to topics of this course was the annexation of Texas. Another was the Constitution of the United States. I also learned that the Bill of Rights were the ten amendments added to the Constitution. I suggest to you to take this course if you want to know about Americans history.