The main idea of American History will be debated as long as people can remember the United States. For this web log, and the cover letter to the resume of your portfolio, you will write about the metaphoric character of American History.
1. Do any of these authors appear to disagree with each other? Explain.
2. Which statement about US history comes closest to your own beliefs? Explain by using three significant events from American History to support your belief.
3. In your own words, what’s a central theme in American History?
The genius of the United States is not best or most in its executives or legislatures, nor in its ambassadors or authors or colleges, or churches, or parlors, nor even in its newspapers or inventors, but always most in the common people.
– Walt Whitman (May 31, 1819 – March 26, 1892) was an American poet, essayist, journalist, and humanist
America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair.
– Arnold Joseph Toynbee CH (April 14, 1889 – October 22, 1975) was a British historian whose twelve-volume analysis of the rise and fall of civilizations, A Study of History, was a synthesis of world history, a metahistory based on universal rhythms of rise, flowering and decline, which examined history from a global perspective.
The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows... If there is no struggle, there is no progress. Those who profess to favor freedom, and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightning. They want the ocean without the awful roar of its many waters.
– Frederick Douglass (February 14, 1818 – February 20, 1895) was an American abolitionist, women's suffragist, editor, orator, author, statesman and reformer.
You can't say civilization don't advance... in every war they kill you in a new way.
– Will Rogers (November 4, 1879 – August 15, 1935) was a Cherokee-American cowboy, comedian, humorist, social commentator, vaudeville performer and actor.
It was wonderful to find America, but it would have been more wonderful to miss it.
– Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30, 1835 – April 21, 1910), better known by the pen name Mark Twain, was an American author and humorist.
I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth.
– John Adams (October 30, 1735 – July 4, 1826) was an American politician and the second President of the United States (1797–1801), after being the first Vice President (1789–1797) for two terms
I am more and more convinced that Man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or a few is ever grasping, and like the grave cries give, give. The great fish swallow up the small, and he who is most strenuous for the Rights of the people, when vested with power, is as eager after the prerogatives of Government. You tell me of degrees of perfection to which Humane Nature is capable of arriving, and I believe it, but at the same time lament that our admiration should arise from the scarcity of the instances.
– Abigail Adams (née Smith) (November 11, 1744 – October 28, 1818) was the wife of John Adams, the second President of the United States, and mother of John Quincy Adams, the sixth
Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.
– George Santayana (December 16, 1863 – September 26, 1952), was a philosopher, essayist, poet, and novelist.
I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.
– Thomas Jefferson (April 13, 1743 – July 4, 1826) was the third President of the United States (1801–1809), the principal author of the Declaration of Independence (1776), and one of the most influential Founding Fathers for his promotion of the ideals of republicanism in the United States.
We meet no Stranger, but Ourself
– Emily Dickinson (December 10, 1830– May 15, 1886) was an American poet. Born in Amherst, Massachusetts to a successful family with strong community ties, she lived a mostly introverted and reclusive life
In Memoriam: John Hope Franklin, January 2, 1915 – March 25, 2009. May he rest in peace.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
29 comments:
I think that George Santyana and Thomas Jefferson disagree with each other. George Santyana said " Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Thomas Jefferson said " I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." They disagree because Santyana thinks if you don't remember your past it will repeat, and Jefferson thinks that the past is the past and you have to think what will come with the future.
The closest quote that comes to my beliefs is Thomas Jefferson and he said " I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." This comes closest to my beliefs because I don't like thinking back to 9/11 or Pearl Harbor or even the Assasination of former U.S. Presidents. I just like thinking about what good things might come.
My central theme for American History would be " Stop fighting wars, start living life."
I think that Will Rogers and Emily Dickinson agree, Will Rogers said "You can't say civilization don't advance... in every war they kill you in a new way." and Dickinson said "We meet no Stranger, but Ourself" Dickinson thinks that we don't notice that we are changing. Rogers think that every time we win a war, they will always find a new way. I think they agree because they get more ideas from time to time, and not knowing that themselves.
The quote that comes to my own believes is "You can't say civilization don't advance... in every war they kill you in a new way." Because of us warring with Afghanistan and them destroying the Twin Towers at 9-11, and them trying to crash into the pentagon.
Many of the authors disagree in different ways. John Adam and Abigail Adam disagree. John Adam believes that America is a place of wonder and reverence, and Abigail Adam believe that America is a place of mankind who wants power and once they have it they want more and more. Thomas Jefferson believes that new things can happen in the future and George Santyana believe the total opposite which is new things will never happen and it keeps repeating
The quote that came closet to me belief of American History was "You cant say civilization don't advance.. in every war they kill you in a new way. i believe that civilization do advance because every year or two a new race of people is allowed to vote, and people are always getting killed. For example in 1890 two hundred people were killed. On April 21, 1836 there were surprised attacks. And in 1843 people move west to escape the depression.
In a sample form American History Central Theme to me is "America is not a place of fortune, but a place of sorrow for many.
John Adams and his wife, Abigail Adams, seem to disagree. john believes that America is a beautiful place filled with reverence and wonder. Abigail has the thought that America and its men have the urge for power and cannot get enough and once they get too much, they forget how to control it.
i agree with Abigail. men are obsessed with power, although they may deny it. they get over excited and believe that they can do what they wish with the power. the truth of the matter is that the power they are given is to be held with a great amount of responsibility and have to watch carefully with how they choose to use it.
The History of Americans has been the subject that many people argue about over and over. Even though they were husband and wife, John Adams and Abigail Adams shared different opinions on American History. John Adams thought that America would be able to change the world for the better, like making everybody smarter, including the slaves. While Abigail Adams thinks that the men of America or men in general are dangerous beings, which get power, and get drunk on it.
Frederick Douglass’ statement about US history seems to be the closest to my beliefs. Technically, what he was trying to say was “No pain no gain,” and that people wish for something and don’t expect there to be any consequences or trouble. But in the March to Universal Suffrage, there were many people who “suffered” so that they could get voting rights. They also “suffered” for Freedom of Rights, and for the US Constitution.
My view on America’s central theme is “America is built on war and victory; but like any other country, it has a vulnerable side that you can’t help but love.” America has its good and bad side that can make a person gasp in awe. Between most average Americans, there may be a line of love and hate.
From these quotes of different people in history, I see that Samuel Langhorne Clemens disagrees with John Adams. While Adams views America as a place where wondrous things happen and it is a grand place and a design of providence. He praises America as a prosperous, wealthy and wonderful place. Against Clemens who has said he would rather have missed America. And apparently he does not share the same views as Adams, and thinks America has done wrong and has flaws in it that make America a place you do not want to be in. Out of these quotes, Will Roger's quote is the one I most agree with. It is true that civilization advances also in weaponry and that these weapons help win wars and land and that helps civilization grow. Examples would be the battle of Wounded Knee 1890, where even though the settlers were outnumbered, they won the battle due to them having guns, weapons that overpower Native American weapons. This proved to gain land. Also, in the Civil War, cannons and artillery were crucial in battle and helped that side win. And so the Union won and slavery was lessened. Another example was in 1861 when the first Gatling gun was made by Richard J. Gatling. A rapid fire machine gun that wreaked havoc on enemies. Like some of the other quotes, I believe that the central theme of U.S. history is that man will either make breakthroughs and help Man advance or will destroy themselves and others in corruption, greed, and power. But throughout history, machines and other inventions might have changed life, but actual Man never changes. They are the same as their ancestors.
John Adams and Abigail Adams appear to disagree with each other. John Adams says that America is a beautiful land filled with wonder and reverence. On the other hand, Abigail Adams says that Man is a dangerous species and with them ruling our government, America will just be a power feeding frenzy, destroying its self in its path.
The quote that is closest to my belief is the quote by Will Rogers: "You can't say civilization don't advance...in every war they kill you in a new way. During the earlier 1800s, they had cannons and missiles wich were not very accurate. Later on, they started using guns and missiles during the Civil War in 1861. By the late 1800s, guns and missiles were used that were more precise and were used in wars.
The authors, Abigail Adams and Walt Hitman disagree with each other. Abigail Adams is saying how Man is taking too much power and how the people with less power don’t get anything. Walt Hitman is saying how the U.S. is not the best at everything but always the most common people.
The statement that Abigail Adams wrote came closest to my own beliefs because we both think that Man has too much power. They can control the people with less power and is strenuous for the Rights of the People. The central theme for American History is that people would make mistakes in America, but better changes happen all the time.
I think that George Santayana and Thomas Jefferson disagree with each other. George Santayana said “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Thomas Jefferson disagrees because he that he doesn’t like the past and we must think of the future. Santayana disagrees with Jefferson because he thinks the past repeats over and over again. The closest quote that I believe in is Thomas Jefferson he said “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." I believe in this because many bad things happened in the past and nobody would like World War 1, World War 2, or 9/11 to happen again. My central theme is “Don’t fight look for a better future.”
Yes many of the authors disagreed & agreed, take John Adams' & Abigail Adams for example. John Adams stated "I always consider the settlement of America with reverence and wonder, as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence, for the illumination of the ignorant and the emancipation of the slavish part of mankind all over the earth." He believed that America was one of the greatest events in American history.
Abigail Adams on the other hand stated "I am more and more convinced that Man is a dangerous creature, and that power whether vested in many or a few is ever grasping, and like the grave cries give, give. The great fish swallow up the small, and he who is most strenuous for the Rights of the people, when vested with power, is as eager after the prerogatives of Government. You tell me of degrees of perfection to which Humane Nature is capable of arriving, and I believe it, but at the same time lament that our admiration should arise from the scarcity of the instances." She believed that America was one of history's lowest points. She believed it was governed by corrupt people.
I agree with Abigail Adams’ statement. There are so many events that would support this such as: 1.When George W. Bush abused his presidential powers & sent many innocent people to Guantanamo Bay prison & tortured them - some even to death - illegally.
2. The constitution states that all men are created equally yet people ignored that & made African Americans their slaves. The slave owners ignored that because they were more powerful since they had weaponry.
3. When Andrew Jackson ignored court orders & drove the Native Americans off their land he abused his powers as president.
My central theme in American history is "The United States fights to get what they want, no matter how big or how small, even if they're wrong."
John Adams and his wife Abigail Adams disagree with eachother.
John Adams says that it is "as the opening of a grand scene and design in providence".Abigail Adams says that Man is a dangerous creature. She says that when America gets too much power, it crashes. She says "the great fish swallow up the small". John Adams thinks America was preparing for the future with wise
benevolence.
George Santayana and Thomas Jefferson seem to disagree. George Santayana said that "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it". Thomas Jefferson said that "I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past". Santayana thinks that the past is important and it must be repeated but Jefferson thinks that the past is not important anymore and that the only important thing is the future.
Arnold Joseph Toynbee said that "America is a large, friendly dog in a very small room. Every time it wags its tail, it knocks over a chair”. These are 3 significant events that support his quote:
#1. When slavery started, the south is happy but then it starts the civil war.
#2. American salesmen raise their prices but then it causes the Great Depression.
#3. The California God Rush raises the population in the west, but decreases the population in the east.
In my belief, the central theme in American History is "Everything that causes happiness always comes from pain".
I think John Adams and Abigal Adams are disagreeing with eachother. John Adams says that America is a wonderful place that makes you forget all the bad in the world. While Abigal Adams says that humans are more dangerous, and with them ruling the government, America may not survive.
The statement "You can't say civilization don't advance...in every war they kill you in a new way" In prehistoric times, caveman used spears to kill their prey. Then in the 1400's, they used guns guns and canon balls to kill there enemies. Now in the 21st century we use missiles, nuclear bombs, tanks and guns to kill.
"America may get into troubles sometimes, but it's citzens and towns people try their best to make up for it"
John Adams and his wife, Abigail Adams, seem to disagree. John believes that America is a beautiful place filled with reverence and wonder. Abigail has the thought that America and its men have the urge for power and cannot get enough and once they get too much, they forget how to control it.
I agree with Abigail Adams because a lot of men take and advantage of their power. They think that can do anything they want. The power they are given is to be held with a great amount of responsibility. They can choose what they want to do with it.
Yes, there are authors that appear to disagree with each other and they are George Santayana and Thomas Jefferson. George Santayana said "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." This statment to me means that if you dont remember your past then you are going to repeat it. Thomas Jefferson said "I like the dreams of the future better than the history or the past." This statement to me means that the past is the past and pursue your dreams and move foward into the future. They colide and in opposite with each other.
The statement about U.S history that comes closest to my beliefs is Abigail Adams. Her statement comes closest to my beliefs because: 1- When Andrew Jackson ignored the courts and kicked the Native Americans off of the lands. 2- When George W. Bush abused his powers and sent people to prison at Guantanomo Bay. 3- When they whent against the constitution that stated that all men are created equaly.
A central theme in american history in my own words is that if America wants somthing no matter how long or what we have to do America would to it.
I think Frederick Douglass and Will Roger' quotes disagree with each other. Fredrick Douglass says that there is no struggle to be better in life. But Will Rogers is saying that the different civilizations of the world does get better and advances.
i think the quote by Samuel Langhorne Clemens," it was wonderful to find America, but it would have been more wonderful to miss it", is closest to my beliefs. If Columbus hadn't found/sailed to America, there would have been more Native Americans back then. It would have been good to miss America because of all the hardships faced as they settled here and lived here. Wars were caused by the arrival of the Spanish and newcomers.
My own central theme of American History is" If you give up, struggles will approach you. If you keep strong, victory will come to you". It shows that people should keep on trying to win what they think is best and not give up on it.
I think that George Santyana and Thomas Jefferson's speeches appear to disagree with each other. George Santyana's speech sayd " Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it. " Thomas Jefferson's speech says " I like the dreams of the future better than the dreams of the past. " George is saying that if you don't remember the past, then you will end up repeating it. Thomas is saying that he preffers focusing on the future of our country rather than focus on the past because the past is the past and cannot be changed. The quote that comes closest to my beliefs is Thomas Jefferson's. Like hi I also like to focus on my future rather than look into the past.
I think that George Santayana and Thomas Jefferson had a disagreement which each other because George said that "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" and Thomas Jefferson disagreement with George and said " I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past".The statement of Thomas Jefferson is closest to my beliefs because i think that the past has some horrible thing and the future is better than the past so i wouldnt want to go back to the past.In my own words i think the theme in American history is "Fear you can't forget"
Frederick Douglas and Thomas Jefferson appear to disagree. Frederick Douglas’ quote states “The whole history of the progress of human liberty shows... If there is no struggle, there is no progress”. Thomas Jefferson’s quote states “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past.” Frederick’s statement means if you don’t try to make a change, change won’t come. Jefferson’s quote is saying I don’t like the past for some reason so let’s try to see if thinking of a better future will change something.
My beliefs on U.S history is as soon as someone gets a taste of power they desire more. The person that comes closest to my belief is Abagail Adams. She says in her quote “Man is a dangerous creature, and that power vested in many for few is ever grasping.” The instances where this has happened in history is with Jackson, and America. Jackson was responsible for the demise of Native Americans. America after it got it’s share of power enslaved Africans and claimed Native land.
The theme of American history is in my opinion a step ladder made of people. As someone reaches the top another person comes and steps on it to get furthest toward the top. After a person reaches the top there’s nowhere to go buy down
Daniel Kizhner's post :
I think that Thomas Jefferson's And George Santyana's quotes disagree. George Santyana's quote said "those who cannot remember the past are condemmed to repeat it". Thomas Jefferson's qoute says " I like the dreams of the future better than the dreams of the past'. Santyana is saying that if you remember the past then you must have it done again. Jefferson is saying that he wants to focus more on the future of our country more than focus on the past because the past is the past and cannot be changed. The quote that comes closest to my thoghts is santyana's because i also think that if you do something wrong in the past it will haunt you. my theme is American Government is like a baby. No experience and constantly needs to be cleaned up after. This means that american government does not know what to do sometimes and messes up. Then when they mess up someone else has to fix thier mistake.
John Adams and Abigail appear to disagree with each other. John Adams says that America is good while Abigail Adams says that man is very dangerous and always takes down the person that has less power than them.
The statement about U.S history that comes closest to my own beliefs is "Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it" For example America had a war and then the twin towers got taken down. So in the end it'll come back to you.
In my own words a central theme in American history is that "It is only a free country if you do what they tell you to do."
I think that George Santayana and Thomas Jefferson disagree with each other. George Santayana said “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." Thomas Jefferson disagrees because he that he doesn’t like the past and we must think of the future. Santayana disagrees with Jefferson because he thinks the past repeats over and over again. The closest quote that I believe in is Thomas Jefferson he said “I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." I believe in this because many bad things happened in the past and nobody would like World War 1, World War 2, or 9/11 to happen again. My central theme is “Look for a better future.”
Well I think that American history is useful because there are people that are used to quote things about the future and the past. Like George Santyana and Thomas Jefferson. George Satanya said that " Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it." But obviously Thomas Jefferson argues, " I like the dreams of the future better than the history of the past." I like Thomas Jefferson's quote because people shouldn't worry about just the past, they should worry about both.
Post a Comment