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U.S. History: Reaction paper

Section A

I find the early years of the American Revolution as expressed in chapter six an eye

opener in the history of America. As a foreigner in the US I did not know much history of the

country as especially the fights after independence. In my knowledge I previously held the

thought that the Washington’s war against the British was before the Independence Day. Am

surprised to notice the new information that there was little recognition of the American

Independence and that the British still demanded to control much of the country (Corbett et al.

Ch. 6). I cannot help but appreciate the resilience and strategy of George Washington in his quest

to defend the American territory. Though quite unconventional the strategy to fight in winter

considering the art of combat at the time deserves respect and honor. I previously had no idea

that war was waged during summer, however all in all am glad that the unconventional methods

brought victory to America.

However, I am not equally pleased with the following topic, about group identities during

the war. The topic is upsetting not because of how it is written but because of the message it

communicates. I am not surprised that the enslaved people were denied the opportunity to fight

for the country but am the fact that the revolution did not liberate everyone (Corbett et al. Ch.6) I
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had trouble understanding the topic especially when I try to question why the Natives did not

support the revolutionaries as they fought for America. This got me thinking and after I now

understand that the Natives owned the land and that both the patriots and loyalists were all

foreigners and therefore the Natives had to take a side which seemed favorable to them at the

time. I further came to terms with the fact that the British deal seemed more pleasing to them as

they would protect the Natives’ land which they however did not do.

SECTION B

Reading chapter seven does not meet the expectations I had from chapter six. I find it

somewhat difficult to understand how the revolution which was supposed to free All Americans

from the tyranny of the British did not end the troubles of the women, slaves and the natives. I

am not sure I get the connection between chapter six and seven because, in chapter six t there is a

clear involvement of both the African Americans and Women in the war but post the revolution,

the freedom is mainly felt by the White men. I find it upsetting that despite the efforts of some

women to fight in combat, and some acting being of service to the revolution their rights did not

become fully recognized (Corbett et al. Ch.7). I understand that the revolution was based on land

but I feel it should have had a deeper meaning to the complexity of equality. From these events it

becomes more important to celebrate the efforts of the women right advocates who have fought

tirelessly to get the state of women’s rights to where they are right now. I guess it takes a deep

understanding of the past to appreciate what we have now.

I am equally upset by the state of slavery and the meaning of race after the revolution as

stipulated in the first topic of chapter seven. It is quite surprising and upsetting at the same time

that after independence the nation declared equality to all men but the state of slavery did not

end, neither did racism. I must admit that the contradiction of the independence declaration was a
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selfish act by Jefferson to favor the white people while demonizing the Indians and African

Americans. However it is through such upsets that I learn to appreciate the good work activists

have done to ensure the equality we enjoy today. Sometimes we take for granted the equality and

freedom but learning from this chapter the state of things after independence, I learn to

appreciate the effort put in to make the independence declaration matter.

Section C

“A new political style: from John Quincy Adams to Andrew Jackson” was one of the

complex topics with quite confusing detail. The party politics detailed in the chapter is

particularly challenging to understand, considering my background which is based on two parties

Democrats and Republicans. It is first surprising to know that the US did not begin with the two

parties we have grown to know as the political drivers of the country. At this point despite the

fact that everyone was yet to be treated equally, I admit that there was progress towards that

direction. It is important to note that by 1820’s reforms had happened in the US to allow all

white men to vote regardless of one ability to own property (Corbett et al. Ch.10). This topic is

tells me that the nation was slowly opening eyes towards democracy and equality as decreed in

the independence declaration.

I also found it quite challenging trying to understand the system of appointing a president

which led to John Quincy’s win instead of Jackson who won in the electoral vote. The system

appears complicated by the additional Electoral College votes which I am not familiar with.

However from close reading I now understand the requirement by the twelfth amendment that

the elections had to proceed to the House of Representatives (Corbett et al. Ch.10). I appreciate

that the chapter highlights the corrupt dealings of the speaker of the house and the conspiracy to

ensure a John Quincy win. While these information was new to me, I like the implications it
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makes on corrupt leaders. From this chapter I learn that leaders who use corrupt means to ascend

to power are less likely to support integrity in their leadership. The case of John Quincy’s

leadership who increased tariffs is enough demonstration to the capabilities of leaders who lack

integrity.

Section D

Another topic that significantly awed me was the “origins and outbreak of the civil war.”

At this point in the book am fascinated by the journey it has taken to end slavery in some parts of

the nation. The focus on Abraham Lincoln is of particular interest to me. I like that this chapter

highlights his contribution not for just sparking the civil war but for his firm stand to protect the

unity of the nation. I also find it important to recognize the particular groups especially those

mentioned in the chapter as abolitionists for their stand against slavery in the entire Territory

(Corbett et al. Ch.15). I find it hard to understand why the south was adamant about keeping the

slaves while the Northern Territory had already come to terms with the fact that slavery was a

violation to fundamental human rights. I find it upsetting that some leaders supported a

compromise in the effort to avoid secession of the Southern territory. Specifically the Crittenden

compromise does not strike as a positive resolution to the problem. In my opinion, a country’s

law cannot have double standards. I think all people should be subject to similar laws especially

laws that affect the rights of fellow humans.

I think this topic has significant implications to the federal powers we see in the modern

day. I did not know that Abraham Lincoln contributed immensely in the unification of the

country after the secession of the Southern territories. I must acknowledge that I am surprised to

learn that Abraham Lincoln is an underrated leader, who not only prevented the spread of slavery
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but formed a new nation and fought to bridge the inherent gap between the Northerners and the

Southerners.
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Work Cited

Corbett, P. Scott, et al. US history. OpenStax, 2017.