I think that Zinn provides a very interesting point of view on these topics. I find these ideas intriguing because it’s a whole new way to look at the start of our country and whether or not America is really founded on ideals that we should continue to live by. The idea of America being founded by people exploiting others but promoting freedom and equality is quite radical however he makes great points and is pretty convincing. “In colonial America, for example, events unfolded organically from people’s actions and responses. When the upper class made a move to tax property, the working class responded by forming the Regulator movement in protest. The upper class then pushed back by redirecting the people’s energy against faraway enemies in Britain. When the working class realized capitalism wasn’t working for them, they attacked capitalism’s most powerful symbol—private property. Zinn demonstrates the reasons behind people’s actions, the results of their actions, and the long-term effects. These patterns are what constitute history.” He brings up this point that there wasn’t a group that controlled America and planned everything and everything just unfolded in a certain way which allowed for these types fo things to happen.
Tyranny Is Tyranny
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While I do agree with you and see your point I also believe that it goes farther than this. There are systems in place that were created by a specific group of people that led to situations like those you mentioned above. An example being the electoral college. This system was invented to dilute individual agency and participation in government from everyday citizens which then led to many other trickling decisions with lasting effects.
I really enjoy this perspective that Zinn provides as well. Though, upon the mention of Bacon’s Rebellion, I had APUSH flashbacks, lol. Even in high school, however, we learned that Bacon’s Rebellion as a HUGE indicator to the upper-class/office holders that there was soon to be widespread dissent across the colonies. My teacher then mentioned that racism was a way to manipulate this dissent and dull it down. Because both the poor whites and rich whites were, well, white, they could (ig) bond over that bc both were socially superior to the black slaves. And I guess the same idea goes with England, as long as the enemy/other isn’t the upper class, it’s gucci.