America’s History
Name:
School:
America’s History
The history of America is known to be full of negativities on the fight for freedom. However, Howard Zinn gives us a new outlook on how American history came to be. His ideas are different from the known norm. The paper will shed light on the differences.
The 1787 constitution is known to have created equality and enhanced democracy in America. However, it was only to foster the economic interests of a few wealthy people. They wanted .to give protective tariffs to manufacturers; protect land speculators to invade Indian lands and federal security for slave owners against slave revolts.
History shows that separation of the church and state was brought about by revolution. However, Howard points out that religion was embedded in every sector of the economy and American life. The state was even referred to as a Christian nation. Moreover, people paid taxes to support Christian teachings.
Despite revolution causing a rise in the increase of slavery, it made a way for blacks to make demands of the white society. The blacks’ fight in the war against the British made them bold and free to ask for some rights from the whites. Some of them are right to vote and education. It is contrary to the belief that revolution brought no light to the blacks community.
There is an assumption that many Americans owned property during the revolution. However, this is not true. Because only 3 percent of the population had wealth in large holdings. About a third of the people were small farmers while the rest had nothing.
In conclusion, Zinn tells facts clearly that had been shaded about American history during the revolution. Some of them include revolution brought the separation of church and state, the black community reaped no benefits except slavery, the constitution created democracy and equality and many white Americans owned large property.
References
Zinn, H. (2015). A people’s history of the United States: 1492-present.History is a weapon. Retrieved from http://www.historyisaweapon.com/defcon1/zinnkin5.html