JOURNAL REFLECTION

Posted: March 26th, 2020

JOURNAL REFLECTION

Name

Course

Date

Historical studies centered on the birth and discovery of America as a country have undoubtedly imposed a challenging effect on the ideas that I previously held. Prior to this, the perspectives and viewpoints based on America’s history were mostly based on popular influences that were not necessarily accurate. In fact, for a number of Americans, an understanding of America’s past tends to rise from popular forms of media such as films and television programs. In addition to this, politics usually assumes an influential role as evidenced by the way it presents America’s history via different subjects and issues. A notable topic that politicians tend to incline to involves the rights associated with the possession of firearms, which are linked to the founding of America (Morrison 2005, 149). While some of the views tend to be accurate, most of them are subjective and far from clearly depicting the complex history associated with the country’s conception and founding prior to the beginning of the 18^th century.

One of the newfound ideas that the studies presented involved the reliance of America’s history on symbols and icons. Indeed, while these symbols are representations of a country inherently identified by its patriotic citizens, they simply constitute avatars of imperfectly understood yet profoundly held convictions. The role that history assumes as far as America’s iconography is concerned is pervasive, but the facts are lost in assumed national identity and patriotism (Jennings and Brewster 2012, 113). A good illustration of this involves the perception surrounding Christopher Columbus. As an icon and representation of America’s birth, Columbus is an undeniable part of American mythology. His status – which is separate from most American figures – is a representation of the society’s self-perception, which managed to establish him as a heroic figure rather than an explorer. The extent to which Columbus influenced American history is demonstrated by the way American civilians attempted to establish a positive association between the country and the figure of Columbus.

Aside from the reverence for Columbus, historical studies also managed to illustrate the contributions that the colonization of the Americas made to the notion of human independence and autonomy. In this respect, the Americas refer to the United States and countries that constitute part of South America, such as Haiti. Despite the disparities illustrated during the colonization of these countries, it is possible to note the degree to which the events that occurred in the United States and South American countries inspired conflicts centered on the attainment of autonomy and sovereignty (Chapman 1996, 124). Indeed, during the fight for independence and the consequent struggles for liberation in states such as Haiti, which were colonized by the French, novel thoughts and ideas on the recognition of human rights were developed due to the events and occurrences that occurred in the United States. Such newfound ideas would eventually spread across the globe and inspire the struggle against colonialism.

While it is difficult to view the founding and colonial periods in a different way, it is impossible to avoid the extent to which history enlightens the mind. For instance, historical studies have managed to illustrate the considerable level to which Americans have always held the explorer, Christopher Columbus, in high regards despite the lack of knowledge surrounding the founding of the United States. Additionally, historical narratives centered on the colonization of the Americas as well as the struggles for independence have encouraged ideas and thoughts that challenge conventions and traditions related to an understanding of these events. Even though history may be seen as a recollection of events, the facts that it offers provide one with the capacity to view as well as challenge preconceived knowledge and ideas reasonably and adequately.

Bibliography

Chapman, Henry S. The Founding of America. Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1996.

Jennings, Peter, and Todd Brewster. In Search of America. New York: Hyperion, 2012.

Morison, Samuel E. The Oxford History of the American People. New York: Oxford University Press, 2005.