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American Themes, 1947, Controversy and Exclusion, Charlie Chaplin[Charlie…
American Themes
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Early Politics
American Government
Thomas Paine's "Common Sense". This was novel that exploded in popularity in America. It listed the reasons why America should declare independence over Britain. He challenged ideas that were in place for hundreds of years at the time. He spoke out against divine right monarchy and emphasized the idea that in America "Law is king". The book reached height of popularity in 1776 and contributed to the factors that birthed the declaration of independence.
The Constitution. The constitution is the most important founding document in American politics. It listed the separation of powers between the legislative, judicial, and executive branches. It laid down the foundations for what the government can and cannot do.
Henry David Thoreau. Thoreau was a prominant essayist and political philosopher in the 19th century. His most impactful essay was "On The Duty of Civil Disobedience". In this essay he writes about the roles and limitations for the government as well as listing the liberties and responsibilities of the citizens. Thoreau writes "That government is best which governs least" in this quote he is saying that an ideal government should only serve to protect the rights and liberties of the people.
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Slavery
Phyllis Wheatley. Phyllis Wheatley was an enslaved person who learned to read and write and was the first African American woman to publish a book of poems. In her letter to general Washington called "To His Excellency General Washington" she wrote about his achievements. Wheatley was such a good poet that her work was questioned by critics who put her on trial to prove that she was the author of the poems.
Fredrick Douglas Fredrick Douglas was an enslaved man who gained his freedom after pretending to be a sailor and sailing to New York. He was an outspoken abolitionist who created rallies and protests. In response to individuals who doubted he ever was a slave, he wrote an autobiography in 1881. In this autobiography, he exposed the reality of slavery in the south. He wrote about the treatment of slaves and how they were deprived of even the most basic information like their age. Douglas's contributions to the abolition movement greatly helped the movement.
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Native Americans
Mary Rowlandson. Rowlandson was taken as a captive when her home town of Lancaster, Massachusetts was attacked by the Nipmuck tribe. Her writings gave early settlers an insight on the innerworkings of native tribes. In the seventh remove Rowlandson writes about her first time eating horse liver " with the blood about my mouth, and yet a savory bit it was to me". This quote is impactful because it shows a white settler enjoying the same things as the natives showing they are one in the same.
Economics & Innovation
Carnegie ”Gospel of Wealth”Andrew Carnegie was an immigrant from Scotland. He worked his way
up the cooperate ladder in America. In "The Gospel of Wealth" he writes about how the Industrialization of America furthered class divides. Throughout the different passages he talked about how the accumulation of wealth was a good sign about the betterment of society. Carnegies Ideas of philanthropy and even Carnegie himself founded a university and funded museums
Invention/Science
Fredrick Winslow -Frederick Winslow Taylor's 1910 essay "The Principles of Scientific Management" revolutionized modern management theory. His ideas increased efficiency and productivity in industrial settings, but were criticized for putting worker welfare and autonomy at risk, leading to exploitation of labor. Nevertheless, his significant impact on the field of management theory continues to be studied and debated today.
Jacob RiisThe journalist and social advocate Jacob Riis write "How the Other Half Lives" which was a book that served to expose the terrible living conditions that immigrants were facing in the late 19th century. He criticized the wealthy people when he wrote "Charity is a cold grey loveless thing" which commented on how the rich were not paying their taxes gladly.
Benjamin Franklin. Franklin was an important founding father who drafted the declaration of independence as well as the constitution. He was instrumental in laying the foundation of American politics. In addition he invented many things. Among these inventions was the lightning rod, bifocals, the Franklin stove, and the 24 hour clock. In his autobiography he lists 13 virtues to live an good life.
Art & Literature
Romantic Era
Edgar Allen Poe. Edgar Allen Poe was a poet during the romantic literary era. His poems gained notoriety because of the haunting diction and sometimes gruesome stories. In "The Tell-Tale Heart" the reader is brought into the psychotic mind of the narrator who killed his neighbor. He is credited with founding themes used in science-fiction as well as gothic horror.
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American Issues
Counter Culture ideas
Booker T. Washington, 1895 Atlanta Compromise Speech. This is a very important speech that talked about immigration and slavery related issues. his response to people of all races who are concerned about prospering is to "cast your buckets down". Meaning that the American people should look to those around them for assistance no matter where they immigrate from.
W.E.B Du Bois- "The Talented Tenth" is an essay written by Du Bois. In this essay he argues for the edcuation and training of a small group of Africna Americans called the "talented tenth". He beleved that these people would be an elite group that can become leaders who bring positive change. The essay was praised and critized for having an elitest perspective.
"Men we shall have only as we make manhood the object of the work of the schools—intelligence, broad sympathy, knowledge of the world that was and is, and of the relation of men to it—this is the curriculum of that Higher Education which must underlie true life." - W.E.B. Du Bois, "The Talented Tenth"
Henry Ford Anti SemitismHenry ford was a revolutionary in America he revolutionized factories with ideas like the assembly line. He was also known for his harsh views on Jewish People. In his newspaper he published articles with anti-Semitic rhetoric. He later expressed regret for the harm his writings may have caused.
Religon
The Enlightenment
John Winthrop, Wrote A Model of Christian Charity in 1630. Winthrop believed in predestination and the prohibition on excessive wealth. Predestination is the idea that from the moment someone is born it is already decided if they will go to heaven or hell. Winthrop's book depicted the new settlers as being a "City on a Hill". In his writing, he states " We have taken out a commission. The Lord hath given us leave to draw our own articles". This means that they must be model Christians to maintain the favor of God.
Anne Hutchinson. Anne Hutchinson was an important figure in the puritan era. She was a counterculture figure who challenged male authority by challenging puritan beliefs and preaching to both men and women. In November 1637 she was put on trial for not respecting her parents. In this trial, she stated that she was respecting her parents and that she was exercising her liberties within the bounds of the 10 commandments.
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