Colonization and Conquest: Chapters 1-2
Howard Zinn wrote the above book so as to describe the United States’ past concerning the point of view of persecution and marginalization of individuals instead of the accustomed elites and personalities of heroes. Chapter one explains how the Europeans and Christopher Columbus colonized south and North America, where they enslaved and killed the Indians in the process (Zinn 154). The author uses the words India to refer to the origin of Native Americans, which was Asia. Another significant event discussed in chapter two in the early colonies in North America was enslavement. The English colonist utilized the slaves they had abducted from their homes in Africa for free labor; the poor whites were also forced to work for free to pay their debts. The slaves would frequently stage revolts against their masters, which led to the elites being afraid that the black slaves and poor whites would unite and take control of the colonies. This ideology forced the nobility to separate the blacks and poor whites not to overtake them in the territory. Zinn debates that racism is a product of historical conditions.
Colonial and Revolutionary America: Chapter 3-5
Chapter three primarily focuses on class inequality in the early colonial between poor immigrants and wealthy landowners. The next chapter, which is four, discusses the American Revolution perpetuating a mode of responding to rebellion and class conflict in colonies. The author depicts the United States’ foundation in chapter five, including the declaration of independence and the constitution, allowing the elites to retain their governorship. The author discusses what American evolution meant, which was different from the understanding of the Indians and poor colonists.
Early America and Manifest Destiny: Chapter 6-8
Zinn discusses women’s extinct subordinate position in early America in chapter six. The chapter investigates how social forces led to the oppression of women and expounds on the foundation of the women’s movement in the 19th era. Chapter seven focuses on how President Andrew Jackson and other leaders in America forced Indians to leave their native land and migrate to the west. The concept of manifest destiny is discussed in chapter eight, how the United States could fight the Mexican war and conquer more western territory.
Civil Wars: Chapter 9-0
Zinn describes how the slaves in the U.S were resilient and courageous in the face of hardship in chapter nine. The civil war and the end of slavery were influenced by economic and practical interests, which brought changes to the lives of the freed slaves. In chapter ten, Zinn discusses how the war was battled by the rural and urban whites protesting their working conditions (Zinn 168). The government did not support the ordinary American worker; hence the laborers were forced to protest and strike, demanding better wages and reduced hours to work
Robber Barons, Rebels and Imperialism: Chapter 11-12
The theme of chapter eleven is the industrial revolution of the 19th era that led to the increase in more formal labor and inequality in wealth. The author also discusses the farmer’s populist political party and its fate in the two-party electoral systems. Chapter twelve focuses on expanding the empire in Cuba, the Philippines, and other nations through dictatorship and establishing military control overseas. The segment also focuses on empire and imperialism as the aspects that founded the policy of the United States.
Socialism and World War 1: Chapter 13-14
The thirteenth chapter discusses how the political activist in the 20th century embraced political ideologies and socialism, advocating for the public to own goods. Regardless of dismissive government conduct, laborers encompassed socialism, chaos, and communism, questioning the capital assumption that private businesses should own manufacturing and production. These events generated the popularity of the labor union industry workers of the world (IWW). Chapter fourteen focuses on the First World War, one in which the United States authority sent its underprivileged citizens to perish in a war that did not involve them. During that period, laws were enhanced that prevented citizens from speaking against the war; this led to many social activists’ arresting for justice as they believed the war was corrupt and imperialist conflict.
The Great Depression and World War 11: Chapters 15-16
Chapter fifteen describes a great depression in the country; however, the people still managed to help each other during the economic trouble. Some of the reforms of president franklin helped in population; however, the capitalist system was still. The discussion of the Second World War is in chapter sixteen, where the United States ended dictatorship in Europe. By the time the conflict was seizing, America had already accessed connections with leaders worldwide to ensure free trade abroad. The war ended when the American government granted japan two atomic bombs, which led to the massive death of many civilians. The American decision was influenced by its wanting to maintain its status as the leading superpower country.
Civil Rights and Defeat in Vietnam: Chapters 17-18
In the seventh chapter, the author demonstrates how the civil rights movement of 1960 outlined different methodologies for activism. The campaign also revealed wealth inequality in America and the legacy of white supremacy. Chapter eighteen discusses the improbable defeat of imperial forces by the South Vietnamese peasants in the Vietnam War. Zinn debates that the decrease in domestic antiwar activism yielded to the war ending.
The 1960 and 1970: Chapters 19-20
The analysis of the impact of the three radical movements in 1960 evaluation is in chapter nineteen; the movements involved include; the Indian fight for their history and land, women’s movement, and prisoner’s movements. In the next chapter, he discusses the American government’s failure to regain its public trust. The country continued to maintain itself as a world superpower despite foreign policy and domestic scandals.
Carter, Reagan, Bush, and Unreported Resistance: Chapters 21-22
Zinn, the author of the above book, attempts to compare the administration of the former three presidents of the United States. In his book, he reveals the fundamental similarities between the Democratic and Republican parties through the presidencies of Ronald, Jimmy, and George in chapter twenty-one. The next chapter covers national and local resistance movements from 1970to 1990, including the gulf war and protests against nuclear war.
The Coming Revolt of the Guards and Clinton Presidency: Chapter 23-24
In this chapter twenty-three, the author offers a call to action as he illustrates his theory that the middle class or the guards must dictate to create changes in America. Moreover, in this chapter, he discusses what it was like to have a humane and effective government. In chapter 24, the focus is on the presidency of Clinton, which, according to the author, he was a reflection of cautious, conservative, and harmful policies.
The 2000 Election and the War on Terrorism: Chapter 25
The chapter discusses the participation in elections in 2000 and how George reflected electoral policy failure in representing the people. In addition, the author discusses the conflict on terror where he illustrates that the government sent troops in the middle to fight Muslim terrorists probably. He concludes the chapter by saying that it was too soon for America to react to terrorism. It was for them to decide their stand in support of imperialism and military aggression or decency and mortality.
Work Cited
Zinn, Howard. “We Take Nothing by Conquest, Thank God.” A People’s History of the United States, Harper Perennial, 2005, pp. 149-170.