Obedience Within Society : The Witch Trials of 1692

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American principles exclude a tendency towards survival of the fittest, but rather survival as a union. Throughout America’s history, examples of extreme hysteria involve support by a majority of the population. Howard Zinn expands on this idea in the novel Declarations of Independence: Cross-examining American Ideology; he states, “Historically, the most terrible things – war, genocide, and slavery – have resulted not from disobedience, but from obedience” (Zinn). Subsequently, the Witch Trials of 1692 and the McCarthy trials of the 1950’s were an exploitation of hearsay, and encompassed the people’s ability to act on vengeance. The Witch Trials took place in Salem, Massachusetts and the McCarthy trials were run country wide. Democracy was also under attack during the time of slavery and more so upon the launching of the atomic bombs. Slavery was an institution spanning from the time of Jamestown settlements until the ending of the Civil War. Southern plantation owners were often those who fiercely defended the peculiar institution, and the Northern industrialists were avidly opposed to slavery. Moreover, the atomic bombs launched at Japan were used to retaliate after Japan’s attacks on Pearl Harbor, and caused forced evacuations of Nagasaki and Hiroshima due to unhealthy radiation exposure. It is common in existing society for people to cast blame upon the lack of unity within the population and disobedience of the people for current turmoil existing worldwide. Ultimately, history proves significant when examining people’s response to governing ploys in accordance with the ability for history to repeat. Political upheaval most often results from the people’s willingness to abide by legislation and fear tactics instilled in soci... ... middle of paper ... ...ack of inspiration to combat the government’s power in accordance with the power of fear within society causes political outcry heard worldwide. The Salem trials and McCarthyism demonstrate the control of governing on society. The harsh violence demonstrated towards slaves and Japanese Americans during the 1940’s exemplifies the nation’s submission to fear. Additionally, these actions are exhibited during contemporary times illustrated by examining the case of government shutdown of 2013, and acquiescence within social media. Society continually obeys political elites embracing power. As people outwardly support the government, history encompasses the ability to repeat itself while governing bodies fail to maintain a strong hold of internal regulation. Without sudden change, members of society become dulled with their mundane tasks, and avert to challenge politics.

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