I think that Conflict was the major source that helped shape American into what we are today. My main point is slavery and the rights for African Americans. My first example is the Civil War and the Reconstruction that it had on the American people in general but most of all the slaves. The major issues at that time was should slaves be obligated to return runaways slaves? Should congress have the authority to regulate the Atlantic-slave trade and the interstate trade? In the Atlantic slave trade more than 80 % of African Americans were entering North America. (page 52, U.S. Narrative, vol 2) The rapid growth of the trade transformed not only the Americas but also Africa. Slavery became world wide spread with in the African society and slave trading more central to its domestic and international commerce. Politics played a huge roll, they used their money and prestige to keep the slave trade profitable to help build up their society.(page 49) I think that with out this conflict of trade from the 1800’s there would be no Fugitive Slave Act and other rights for African Americans at that time in History. At that time there were always new laws and new politics that it was hard to configure what is appropriate to do with the slavery conditions at that time in history. The Fugitive Slave Act of 1793 was pro slavery legislation. Many northern and southern states passed personal liberty laws that gave runaway slaves the opportunity to have a jury by trial. The tensions grew over slavery between the northern and southern states because there were conflicts as in who will honor the free slave versus the owned slave. A more rigorous fugitive law was passed as part of compromise of 1850.
Another point is America reacting to change on the 1920’s. The 1920’s is commonly known as a decade of breaking boundaries. Based on public demand and Nativist beliefs congress passed legislation setting a quota system that led to sharp reduction in immigration. In the text it states that back in the 1600’s 5% of colonial population was Spanish decent and the other 95% being Indian, African or mixed heritage (page 28) The Indians were doing quite well for themselves and paying African slaves to run their land because they were begin imported in large numbers. Racial prejudice and fears led to an increase in racial violence and lynchings. The Jim Crow laws were a set of laws to help put segregation into play and would act as a significant role in history for many years to come. They were separate Black Codes which had restricted civil rights and civil liberties of African Americans.
My last point takes place in the 1950’s to the present. There was major conflict when there was integration of Montgomery City Public Schools. The Federal Government had a huge role in producing and enforcing decisions that led to the integration of public facilitates. For example Brown vs. the Board of Education. This monumental act went to the Supreme Court to have public facilities integrate and led the Blacks on their way to receive some constitutional rights.(page 614). I think that one major conflict in American History that helped shape America is Martin Luther King.(page 617) He fought for Black rights. He believed in a nation that was grooming itself to become one. He fought for the Blacks to be heard and led people believe that they deserved to have more than rock bottom. He wanted to educate people that it is not bad to have a different color of skin. His assignation is still felt to this day when we take a day in remembrance in January of all that he accomplished. Look how far we have come as a nation because he believed in something better.
