HIST 17A Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Atlantic Slave Trade, American Exceptionalism, Meritocracy
Document Summary
U. s. a is a product of the atlantic world. Will look at massive changes that occurred. Ideas of savagery did not evolve until europeans wanted land. Europeans escaped to u. s. to leave behind poor conditions. No meritocracy in u. s. (social, and religious oppression in europe) Harsh frontier conditions kept aristocracy from taking root in the u. s. (birth of. American exceptionalism - belief we are god"s chosen people. Violence and identity- looking at how violence shapes identity (e. g. native americans) Change is portrayal of native americans to kick them off their land. Native americans did have some violent traditions. We should view native american history like europeans. Europeans colonialism brought violence to a larger scale. Slavery was not invented with the north atlantic slave trade. Race - in the cultural and social context were invented during this time. Physical differences told us who was a free person and who was not. Popular violence in white society (mob violence)
