Freedom: America’s Biggest Lie
analytical Essay
1438 words
Freedom: America’s Biggest Lie The bells of liberty and freedom have become symbols that characterize the patriotic nature of America. Our precious country was founded on these universal principles that have become “unalienable rights” of our Constitution. Freedom is more than the ability to express oneself – it is a manifestation of individualism, creative thought, and the inborn desire to think freely and innovate. While Americans cherish their fundamental right to freedom, the definition of freedom has seen drastic changes in American history and has been manipulated to deny freedom to various groups of people. Freedom is an American quality that changes according to the social conditions of the time period. From the birth of American freedom during colonial times, to the stripping of rights and enslavement of millions of African Americans, to the cry for economic freedom in the 20th century, freedom is a multi-faceted quality that has caused ruptures in American history. Freedom was born in America as retaliation to the oppression of Great Britain during the 17th and 18th centuries. During this time period, Great Britain sought to tighten its control over its colonies after a period of neglect and solitude. Britain now wanted to take every advantage possible from colonial America with heavy taxes and unjust laws, including the Stamp Act, Navigation Laws, and the Intolerable Acts. The cry “taxation without representation” that was echoed throughout the thirteen colonies was a plea for freedom; this allowed for rebellious sentiment to ferment and spread like wildfire. The Revolutionary War was a manifestation of centuries-long yearning for freedom. This break from Britain led colonial America into a new era as a nation, The Un... ... middle of paper ... ...etween Republicans and Democrats often limits our expression of freedom. Finally, freedom now represents the quality of life and security that is available to all Americans. This quality of life is determined by several factors, including, but not limited to: an equal opportunity for all to receive an education, adequate health care, and security. Freedom, thus, is continually changing as society continues to evolve. Historian Mark Bloch once said, “The idea of liberty is one in which each epoch reshapes to its own liking” (Loss). As time goes on and social conditions change, Americans will have to fight for their cherished value of freedom and define it accordingly. Freedom is an American quality that has generated a considerable amount of discussion, more than any other in history. Freedom, by far, is America’s defining value and has changed along with America.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that freedom is a manifestation of individualism, creative thought, and the inborn desire to think freely and innovate.
- Explains that freedom was born in america as retaliation to the oppression of great britain during the 17th and 18th centuries.
- Explains that even after the revolutionary war, society was still in hierarchical order, and social status was the primary factor that granted freedom.
- Explains that partial freedom existed in colonial america, including indentured servants, apprentices and domestic laborers. freedom existed along a continuum from the slave, stripped of all rights, to the individual property owner.
- Analyzes how the 17th and 18th centuries saw a drastic change to the american definition of freedom. the institution of slavery intensified to support the economic infrastructure of our young nation.
- Analyzes how slavery has left deep scars on america. its haunting past has greatly influenced how america evolved as a country, but molded the definition of american freedom.
- Analyzes how america, too young and too-new, insists on seeing the world in terms of good and bad, holy and evil, white and black. it hugs the easy way of damning those who cannot understand, and salves its conscience with a self-draped throat of righteousness.
- Explains that the south continued its racist policies by enforcing discrimination in the form of jim crow laws.
- Explains that the 20th century saw drastic changes on the global scale. rapid industrialization, modernization and globalization led to increased global conflicts. the great depression highlighted the disparity in economic freedom between the rich and poor.
- Analyzes how the civil rights movement highlighted the tension between whites and blacks. the supreme court decision of brown removed segregated education, and rosa park's defiance to the public transportation sparked a fire for civil rights activists.
- Analyzes how the modern definition of freedom is complicated and can take on several different meanings. freedom represents the quality of life and security that is available to all americans.
Related
- analytical
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- explanatory
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- Ensuring Freedomanalytical essayThroughout the course of history, the aspect of freedom in the eyes of American citizens has been surprisingly ambivalent. With the creation of the Declaration and the Constitution early in our country’s lifetime, the element of freedom was undeniably sought. However, looking back at the loosely written intentions of this document, freedom can be assumed unfit for all. The Declaration, promising “that all men are created equal” (U.S. Declaration Ind.), began as a document causing nothing but civil strife from the voices of ill represented minorities. Beginning with a largely unequal society and moving forward with only slight progress, the American government definitely has strong intentions. However, though these intentions may be positive, the U.S. government only ensures our “previously declared” freedoms to a certain extent.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that freedom is ambivalent in the eyes of american citizens since the creation of the declaration and the constitution. however, freedom can be assumed unfit for all.
- Analyzes how the birth of america began racially pure, later diversifying through the process of the slave trade. the complete disregard of african slaves in a pro-white society indicates how unreliable the american government had been
- Analyzes the enactment of the sedition act in 1798, which effectively suppressed the american freedom of speech. the 1874 arkansas constitution is an example of a state document eliminating basic freedoms.
- Explains that ala | home - american library association, 29 june 2005.
- Describes the united states' cong. constitution of the state of arkansas of 1874 and the 1st congress bill. priest, secretary of state, 1996.
- Analyzes how the patriot act by george bush in 2001 can be taken as complete obliviousness in regards to the bill of rights.
903 wordsRead More - Injustice In Letter From Birmingham Jailanalytical essayFrom the very beginning of the United States existence, freedom had been demanded from the tyranny of the British crown. With the issues of taxation without representation, unfair trading orders, and virtual representation, British colonists became outraged and demanded that they be granted freedom from their oppressor. In the American heritage, the demand for freedom has been a vital part of solving unequal rights, rather that be based on gender, race, or even just to settle a biased dispute.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the demand for freedom has been a vital part of solving unequal rights in the american heritage.
- Analyzes how martin luther king jr.'s "letter from birmingham jail" describes the injustices being done to himself and the fellow black community. king responds to the criticism demonstrated by eight prominent white clergymen.
- Opines that it is vital to voice your opinion and demand the forsaken change in a situation where you are not happy with the outcomes or wrongdoings.
- Explains that the american colonists demanded freedom from the oppressor great britain. they lived under the british crown for decades and declared independence from their mother country.
- Analyzes how martin luther king jr.'s nonviolent strikes helped the african american race defeat the racist south, halting the practice of slavery. after jim crow laws granting legal segregation, african americans were viewed as separate but equal.
- Opines that in order to be broken from injustices, one must be willing to fight for whatever it takes to get them to diminish.
798 wordsRead More - The Freedom Provieded by the First Amendmentcomparative essayCivilizations and empires throughout history had risen and collapsed for just one word. Some like a summer night died young, while others lasted for centuries. The word was repeated consecutively by the greatest men of all times, and their blood was shed in order to fulfill it. Starting or even before William Wallace and until our present time with the raging of the Arab Spring people have been demanding freedom. It is true that it is only one word, thus, its impact is great. People who sought independence in the United States in 1777 had clearly realized the importance of that word, and vividly insisted on in the opening of the independence declaration statement: “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness.” Ten years later, freedom was the first to be discussed in the First Amendment of United States Constitution “prohibits the making of any law respecting an establishment of religion, impeding the free exercise of religion, abridging the freedom of speech, infringing on the freedom of the press, interfering with the right to peaceably assemble or prohibiting the petitioning for a governmental redress of grievances ”. As a result, the First Amendment people’s freedom of choosing preference religion, of expression, and demonstrating peacefully against the government had been fulfilled.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the first amendment of the united states constitution was the first to discuss freedom in 1777.
- Narrates how people of the old continent who were sick of tyrannies and dictatorships in europe and those who wanted to start a new life found refuge in the new land, america.
- Explains that the first article of the first amendment guaranteed the freedom of religion and worship with some exceptions that had been added later on.
- Explains that the first amendment gives the press the right to criticize the government, but exceptions were made during wartimes, such as president abraham lincoln censoring anti-union newspapers.
- Explains that the amendment ensured the right to peacefully assemble. it also had been refined many times, implying not disrupting the public order, using words which trigger or provoke violence or even burning the u.s flag.
- Concludes that the three essential rights of freedom were covered by the first amendment, regardless of minor exceptions and refinements.
- Cites mitchell v. (2003), supreme court debates, 6(2), 36. first amendment to the united states constitution.
648 wordsRead More - The sociopolitical history, cultural struggles and educational experience of Haitian Americansanalytical essayIn today's society an American living in the United States differs in heritage, beliefs, and attitudes. What makes America so fascinating is that citizens of the country are given unalienable rights govern by the constitution including: the freedom of speech, freedom of religion, the rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. This form of freedom can be both a curse and a blessing to many Americans. For instance, this can be evident in the music many Americans listens to, the many beliefs Americans practice, and the different political views Americans share that shapes the nation.
In this essay, the author
- Analyzes how the haitian people provided for themselves finically after they settled in america and their struggles of living in the new world from the late 1700’s to present times of today.
- Explains that an american living in the united states differs in heritage, beliefs, and attitudes. citizens of the country are given unalienable rights govern by the constitution.
- Explains that music in america expresses freedom of speech and evokes emotions that bring many americans from all walks of life together regardless of ethnicity, gender, and economic status.
- Explains that religion offers hope and sense of purpose to many americans. religion is another way that brings americans together to worship a supernatural power.
- Explains that americans are free to choose their leaders by voting who they believe will best lead the communities, state, and countries. they can freely decide and voice their views and opinions on certain laws and issues that affect the nation.
- Concludes that being an american means being free. americans in today's society have the opportunity to worship freely and openly, express and evoke emotions through music, and ultimately decide how their country should be run.
- Analyzes the haitian american culture as stern, poverty-stricken, and religious. haitians tend to dress poorly in mix-match, thrift store clothing due to their lack of finances.
- Explains that haitian american culture practices voodoo, black magic, catholicism, and christianity. church services can last up to two days.
- Explains that haitian americans are stern and strict when it comes to parenting their children. they set high standards based on social, economic, and political status as well as religion views.
- Concludes that the haitian american culture is mostly looked down upon in today’s society. this is based on negative stereotypes and preconceived notions.
- Explains that haiti was considered the most affluent of the french colonies. the black population rebelled against slavery and caused an uproar throughout the country.
- Analyzes how the rich history of the haitian people had modeled the characterization of creole speaking people, land, and civilization.
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In this essay, the author
- Opines that to say that we are really free in the usa is a misnomer. the us government and corporation control our water, food, medical, media, military, and money supplies.
- Explains how they utilized the concepts of defining the problem, applying the concept that the issue is driven by questions and not answers, questioning frequently as to what is freedom in society, formulating questions in freedom and why it really does not exist.
- Analyzes how paul and elder's critical thinking can be applied to the problem of freedom intellectually.
- Explains the importance of intellectual virtues, such as intellectual humility, intellectual courage, and intellectual empathy, in defining freedom.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that freedom in america represented equality, liberty, justice to all those who sought a better future regardless of gender or race.
- Analyzes how african-american women were ostracized by their bosses and raped and sexually assaulted in the city. their daughters were also deprived of an education and voice.
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In this essay, the author
- Explains that freedom is what it means to be an american. in america you can do basically whatever you want, but in countries like thailand, insulting the president can get imprisonment for 3 to 15 years.
- Explains that being an american gives you the freedom of speech which is an amendment. one time in 7th grade, the bus driver told them to be quiet.
177 wordsRead More - Peaceful Resistance In The Civil Rights Movementcomparative essayFreedom is the underpinning of The United States. The structure of our society depends on the freedom given in our government. In pursuance of a free nation, the founders of America created the Bill of Rights to ensure that it would remain free for generations to come. In the first Amendment, the founders believed it was necessary to institute the right to petition in order to guarantee that America remains the land of the free. The right to petition had led to the reformation of unconstitutional laws. Throughout America’s history, peaceful resistance to laws positively impacts a free nation shown in response to british acts, in the Civil Rights Movement, and in the Women’s Suffrage Movement.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that freedom is the underpinning of the united states. the founders of america created the bill of rights to ensure that it would remain free for generations to come.
- Explains that nonviolent protest was utilized in response to what colonists believed to be unjust laws formed by the british.
- Explains how peaceful resistance aided the civil rights movement, which aimed to constitute equal voting rights as to whites for african americans.
- Explains that the woman suffrage movement's objective was to grant women the right to vote.
- Concludes that nonviolent protesting enhances free nation’s rights and freedoms. colonists strived for a government where they are represented and through peaceful protest, they managed to repeal the act.
772 wordsRead More - Freedom After The American Revolutionexplanatory essayIntro 1,Back in the 1700’s America found out what it means to have freedom for the first time after the American Revolution. In the 9/11 attack we stood tall and determined even though some of the most important buildings in America were destroyed during the attack. More importantly the buildings that were lost can be replaced, but the thousands of lives can not be replaced or forgotten. We made acts about the desions of religion, speech, happiness, and to also question the government. Some of these laws and acts are not allowed in other countries. This is what I call freedom.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that america found out what it means to have freedom for the first time after the american revolution. in the 9/11 attack we stood tall and determined even though some of the most important buildings in america were destroyed.
- Opines that freedom can only be used for the will to be who you are not someone else’s or by their actions or thoughts. in many other countries men, women, and children are labored today because of no freedom.
- Explains that they have three family members who served in the military, including their dad, grandfather, and great grandfather. they loved their country and were brave enough to fight for all of us.
270 wordsRead More - The Role Of Indentured Servants In Early Americaopinionated essayAmerica, the land of the free, or which we claim it to be, wasn’t always the way it is now. In many ways each individual is granted their rights and freedom today, but the unfortunate truth is all the leisure’s we have, including freedom, was a nearly a myth in the early Americas or the so called land proclaimed to be “the land of the free”.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that america, the land of the free, wasn't always the way it is now. in many ways each individual is granted their rights and freedom, but freedom was a myth in the early americas.
- States that all servants imported and brought into the country, who were not christians, shall be accounted and be slaves.
- Explains that early america's culture, along with a large part of the world, was involved in harsh reality. the servants who were unfortunate to be brought up were rebranded as slaves and received inhumane treatment.
- Compares an indentured servant to a slave due to the harsh lifestyle they had, but there were laws that protected some of their rights.
- Explains that the first african came to jamestown virginia to work and was treated as an indentured servant along with the rest of the workers, but nothing changed due to the presence of african americans.
- Explains that as demand for labor skyrocketed along with cost for servants, landowners looked for a new and different recourse which focused on african americans since they were easier to come by and cost less to care for.
- Explains that indentured servants were free and rewarded for their service, but slaves had to stay and work for as long as the owner wanted, and in most cases, till the slave worked to death.
431 wordsRead More