Highlights of the US History - Essay Example

Module U.S History The United s of America has vast history from many aspects. One of the aspects that are given attention is the history of slavery. To begin with, in the 17th and 18th century, slavery was an acceptable occurrence in the colonies of the United States. Some of these colonies included the mid-Atlantic and Northeastern states. Apparently, there was territorial expansion where some states were in need for more slaves. In some instances, slaves were imported from other regions. This included cities like Massachusetts, New Jersey and New York. It should be noted that legalization of slavery was prevalent just before the eruption of American civil war (Kellogg 47). This is where most of the slaves were emancipated from slavery. As a fact, emancipation from slavery was a series of processes that were subsequent statutes. This helped end the period of slavery in the United States. Apparently, some states were still practicing slavery in the beginning of the 19th centuries. However, the elites in the colonies were also the acme of leadership in the states after annihilation of slavery. Since they had an upper hand in leadership, they were advantaged to clinch the leadership of the states. For example, renowned economists and politicians were able to retain some of the leadership positions in the states. Since the colonies were abolished, they took the opportunity to control the states since they had replaced the colonies. Slavery is stated as the exclusive right to own human beings with their descendants. As a fact, the owners of the slaves were to benefit from the free labour they offered. This aspect helped develop the northern and southern states in the United States. To begin with, slavery was an aspect that was protected under the constitution. Therefore, it was acceptable for people to own other human beings for their personal reasons. Secondly, the slavery in the United States was ostensibly benefiting the southern states (Kellogg 49). Though it did not directly benefit the northern states, they were willing to enhance its continuity. As a fact, most of the industries in the northern states, especially textile and shipping depended on the crops grown in the southern states. Thirdly, slaves were treated with utter inhumane nature since they were considered property. For example, most of the owners treated the slaves with brutality, rape and inhumane whipping. In some bizarre instances, the slaves were executed. Consequentially, stopping slavery in the United States was a commitment from all quarters. This was done through rebellions and failure to comply. Similarly, some slaves had to escape to other regions like Canada, which did not believe in slavery. A subsequent phenomenon of market revolution was introduced in the United States. This was to enhance the capitalist state in improving its economy. Apparently, market revolution is considered one of the contradictions in the United States. Though it was a change on how manual labour was handled, it had similar characteristics of slavery. The United States decided to ratify its constitution to become an independent country. This was initiated in the mid 1770’s. Apparently, many patriots deciphered that it was time to make United States and independent country. To make this happen, the patriots clutched control of all the colonies in the United States. Immediately after this, they declared an independence war. After over a decade, the United States ratified its constitution in 1789. After the 1800 elections, the democratic republic party was dominant both in the US house and in the senate (Kellogg 68). Similarly, they were able to clinch the presidency due to their strong support for state rights. The initiation of this government led to enhancement of the independent judiciary system. As such, there were limited criticisms in concerns to the judiciary, presidential system and the congress as their independence was reinstated. Though there was a better system in the congress, judiciary and presidential system, the United States still faced challenges in the late 1800. For example, only 6% of the entire population was legible to vote. This was discriminative as the minority of the population was legible to make a choice of the president. Similarly, this was a misrepresentation since most of the people did not vote their preferred representative. After annihilation of slavery, there was a need to enhance the freedom of the population. It was an initiative of Thomas Jefferson to highlight the responsibility of Americans in ensuring the spread of freedom all over the globe. As such, Americans were to set an example to the world by starting the intervention in the west. This would later be spread to other countries overseas. Some of the major promoters of this initiative were Theodore Roosevelt, Ronald Reagan and Abraham Lincoln. Consequentially, this led to the implementations of reforms in the world. In addition to this, some other aspects were incorporated to the empire of liberty. This included economic dimensions such as American management methods. Market revolution was one of the major developments that are recognised in the history of the United States. After abolition of slavery, workers began to receive wages for their contribution in production. This was a major development from slavery where workers were not paid. However, the workers wanted better pay. Apparently, workers were opposed to wage labour (Kellogg 76). Wage labour was a situation where a person is entitled to income after selling labour. In the ancient America, the textile industry was a major contributor to the economy. Therefore, many people had to work in clothing production for the benefit of the employer. As a form of return, the employers were to give a substantial amount of wage to the people that offered the labour. Initially, this was acceptable by many people who were previously slaves. As a fact, this was an improvement from the hitherto situations. Following the introduction of wage labour, the southern states started criticising the approach. They stated that wage labour was increasing the cost impedance on the economy. As such, the states would not realize maximum growth. However, the north states embraced wage labour, especially when the civil war was approaching. This was due to the ostensible reason of enhancing their economy. With an enhanced economy, the states would be well articulated to contain the war (Kellogg 78). Similarly, with wage labour, the population would be well prepared to tackle the impending civil war. However, the northern states had to embrace free labour during the reconstruction fail. This is after considering the positive developments experienced in the south. Increased labour wage to the people would reduce the profitability of the employers. As such, the industries were recording stagnating growth. This would later impose negativity to the economy of the northern states. To avert such a situation, the northern states had to find an alternative approach. Consequentially, it is noted that the incumbent wage labour had commonality to wage slavery. First, the wage labour was a form of exploiting labourers. The labourers were either rented or owned by an employer, who would then pay meagre amounts to that effect. Secondly, the social stratification was an issue. The social status of the employer and the employees were common in the two regimes. This enhanced the aspect of ceteris paribus in the society. All employers were of a better class when compared to the employees. Therefore, this was modern day wage slavery, where it was stated that people giving their labour for money were in the rank of slaves. Work Cited Kellogg, William O. Barron's AP United States History. Hauppauge, NY: Barron's Educational Series, 2010. Print. Read More