The three most interesting things in the chapter “Birth of A Nation” are the resistance of indigenous people, challenging national myths, and reframing the use of technology in contemporary US society. First, the section focuses on how Native Americans actively played their part in resisting the expansion of the US empire despite the crucial struggle they faced during colonization and displacement (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2023). This perspective highlights the centuries-long struggle for survival of the indigenous people especially Black slaves who maintained their resilience while fighting against the colonization of their territories. Second, the chapter sheds light on the sophisticated government and its networks for the indigenous people through the “myth of the essential White American” (Dunbar-Ortiz, 2023). Third and last, this part of the book challenges the dominant narrative of White Americans while providing a more accurate portrayal of events related to indigenous nations in US history. Overall, these significant things offer a crucial perspective on the lives and struggles of the indigenous people, especially Black women and slaves, highlighting their distinctive agency throughout the history of the United States.
The US Constitution and Personal Educational Journey
Before this course, I was not fully aware of the US Constitution. My familiarity with the principles and amendments in the US Constitution was limited to the mere understanding that the US Constitution is a foundational document that outlines the structure of the government of the United States and protects the freedom and rights of US citizens. After taking this course, my understanding and knowledge of the US Constitution come from a combination of historical texts, scholarly articles, and legal analyses. I have also studied the debates related to the US Constitution surrounding issues like separation of powers, federalism, and rights of the individual because the debates about the US Constitution have had a profound impact on American history and society. I have also learned about the drafting, ratification, and subsequent amendments of the US Constitution as its interpretation has evolved over time which shapes influencing policy and legal precedents. In a nutshell, the US Constitution is a crucial document that continues to shape the nation’s governance and protect citizens’ rights. Therefore, I have realized that its study is essential for understanding American democracy and the principles upon which it was founded.
Role of the US Constitution and the American Revolution
The American Revolution and the subsequent establishment of the Constitution of the United States have had significant impacts on how the United States and its people views people of color, especially Black and indigenous people. In the long term, the American Revolution had significant effects on the lives of Black people and formerly enslaved individuals as many states included bills of rights in their constitutions to protect individual rights. While the immediate gains of those bills were limited, the revolutionary sentiments inspired later movements for the purpose of representation to abolish slavery and grant full citizenship to enslaved people for freedom and equality. For instance, the first state constitution of Pennsylvania allowed all free men to vote regardless of color based on the idea of “popular identity” to impact indigenous people’s sovereignty and way of living life.
Furthermore, the Revolution marked the end of the mercantilist economy and affected Native Americans by opening up Western settlements that had implications for people of color. The fight for liberty during the Revolution also offered various opportunities for people of color in the fields such as trading and manufacturing. However, the creation of new governments during the Revolution further marginalized indigenous people as they began to navigate the evolving landscape of labor in manufacturing and trading which impacted their sovereignty. The struggle for freedom drew inspiration from revolutionary sentiments which further influenced subsequent movements for equality, freedom, and civil rights to marginalized groups including Black women and slaves.
References
Dunbar-Ortiz, R. (2023). An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States. Beacon Press.
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