History of Racism in America – Term Paper

Racism in the United States

Question 1

In the chapter, many developments events and episodes occur, more so, concerning the freedom of black people. Throughout the chapter, the most consistent thing pertains the slavery of the blacks and their struggles to overcome slavery and live freely. In the 1690s, the southern colonial legislators created hurdles that restricted the freedom of black people. Slaves who had artisanship had chances of freedom in comparison to others (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011). Most slaves followed the spiritual traditions of Africans; nevertheless, Christianity penetrated in their lives. In a bid to free themselves, slaves revolted against their masters. The highest revolution occurred in 1730 in Tidewater in Virginia. In South Carolina, a rebellion called the Stono broke out nine years later. In New Jersey, two slaves were executed for a series of burning barns. Free blacks in Spanish Florida formed Fort Mose; its founder was Menendez Francisco. Many other slaves freed themselves through self-purchase because of the law provided them allowing them that. Nonetheless, the numbers of slaves differed in different places and colonies. Moreover, some provinces were affected because the number of imported slaves had experienced a halt because of war. Despite this, slavery and a fight to gain freedom dominated throughout the colonial periods and after. In sum, throughout the whole chapter, the stories of the slavery that blacks were subjected to emanate as well as the story of their struggles.

Question 2

In the chapter, many interesting things occur. I find almost everything in the episode exciting, mostly because it discusses the issues that slavery brought about and the struggles of the slaves. Of all these interesting things, one that I found most interesting pertains the rebellion that most slaves carried out. For instance, the burning of a series of barns interested me because despite being put down by the weights of slavery, blacks did not give up hope but rather they stood and fought for their freedom. On the other hand, what interested me the least involves the execution of the two black slaves because of the burnings of the barns. In sum, the fight that slaves put towards achieving their freedom and the rebuttal they got because of standing up for themselves are what interested me most and least respectively in the chapter readings (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011).

Question 3

The relationship between Originals and Africans can be attributed to the fact that Originals had also endured slavery in the past. Therefore, having an understanding of the sufferings that come with slavery, they became important allies to the blacks. Their friendship extended to the creation of family ties and because of this, many black people today can trace their lineage to one Original or two. Nevertheless, many textbooks have not documented their relationship, mostly because the information concerning this relationship is known littler. To this effect, if more details could have been gathered regarding their relationship and the roles that they played in the lives of blacks, then the documentation of their relationship could be extensive (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011). 

Racial tensions in the USA

Question 1

Chapter 5 focuses on the revolutionary era in which the blacks fought for their freedom and therefore, through the chapter, more is learned concerning the crossroads of the freedom that blacks struggled to achieve (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011). The chapter presents the most important chronological events that occurred. In the massacre that took place in 1770, Crispus Attucks was killed while in 1773, the colonies of England and England faced conflicts that arose from Boston Tea Party. In the year 1775, battles occurred at both Concord and Lexington at the start of the American Revolution and in 1776; the independence declaration stated the equality of all men. In 1777, slavery was outlawed in the Vermont towns while in the year 1778; an alliance was forged between America and France. In the year 1780, gradual emancipation from slavery occurred in Pennsylvania because of the instituted law. In 1783, US was acknowledged as an independent nation after the Paris treaty ended the British rule and the free slaves settled in Nova Scotia. In 1791, slaves’ revolt in Haiti and 1792 slaves who had settled in Nova Scotia returned to Africa. In sum, through this chapter, the reader learns many occurrences concerning the revolution and the fight for freedom (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011). 

Question 2

The chapter offers much interesting information concerning the revolution and the fight for freedom. Nevertheless, the event that I found most interesting pertained the fact that the slaves who had settled in Nova Scotia left back for Africa because going home after such a long time must have felt good. On the other hand, the other information that I found less interesting pertained the emancipation proclamation. I found this information less attractive because it was a contradiction concerning freedom. The contradiction exists where despite the emancipation proclamation that slavery shall exist no more unless, under very exceptional circumstances, slavery persisted. In sum, the whole read was a fascinating reading journey (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011). 

Question 3

The American Revolution occurred 1765 to 1783, a time where the colonists not only rejected but also overthrew the rule of the British people (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011). From the standpoint, view of the settlers the American Revolution was justified because America had endured many sufferings under the aristocratic and monarchical rule of the Great Britain. Moreover, the Revolution was justified because the rules being imposed on them pertaining taxes and other things that affected them were made without their representatives being there. 

Question 4

I do not think that Africans whether free or enslaved should have fought in the revolution. I do not believe so because primarily, Africans, whether freed or enslaved, did not have the opportunity to enjoy any of the fruits of their labor. Moreover, Africans were treated poorly and additionally, the fight that occurred in the American Revolution did not concern them for many reasons such as Americans were fighting for their selves and blacks were not included in their revolution reasons. Therefore, it was unjustifiable for the black people to have fought a war they knew nothing about and a war that did not concern them in any way (Carson, Werner & Nash, 2011).

Question 5

  According to Carson, Werner & Nash (2011), many Africans who fought in the revolutionary war supported the British people; however, this is seldom denoted in many textbooks. I feel that this misinformation occurs because firstly, most slavery that took place during that time happened in America more than in England. Therefore, it is mostly misguided that since the black people were under the slavery of the Americans, they fought alongside them undoubtedly. Nevertheless, I believe that it should be noted otherwise, because such misinformation confuses people concerning this part of history and more so, considering that this was an important part of history. 

Reference

Carson, C., Werner, E. & Nash, G. (2011). The struggle for freedom: a history of African Americans. Boston: Prentice Hall.