Which one of these events from the 7th grade curriculum do you think is most significant in American History? Pick one and write a six sentence paragraph telling why. Use your textbook to back up your opinion with facts.
A) The invention of the cotton gin earns the United States an estimated $3.853 billion.
B) Phillis Wheatley is the first African American to publish a book.
C) The United States' institution of slavery was finally wiped out by the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865.
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(note: This is only Ms. Frederick's opinion do not copy this comment thinking that it's the right answer. In fact you may disagree with me in your own comment, or more directly– post a comment to my comment)
Ms. Wheatly's book is more significant than either the economic boom brought on by the cotton gin or the passing of the 17th amendment because the freedom to write, the social pursuit of art, more perfectly expresses the noblest intent of the Declaration of Liberty. It is not money that is most significant. it is not just a law on paper in Washington. It's a poem which is a light to guide us into the future as we work to create more freedom and less tyranny. Wheatly writes:
No more, America, in mournful strain
Of wrongs, and grievance unredress'd complain,
No longer shalt thou dread the iron chain,
Which wanton Tyranny with lawless hand
Had made, and with it meant t' enslave the land.
In my opinion, I think that out of the 3 events in history that you gave us to choose from, the event that I think is more important is when Phillis Wheatly Published her own book. I think that it is important because she went against the law and made a difference. She has accomplished many things and had a great talent in writing and wanted to share it with the world. She had her own dream and decided to go for it, which also proves a point, and teaches people not to give up on there dreams, and lets them know if they want to they can make a difference.
During her time period which she has lived in, slavery took place, and she had a slave owner, so all the money she has made her owner has received and had the right to keep it. During her time it was against the law for African Americans to read, write or have any education what so ever. Very soon after her instant success she was freed on the date of October 18, 1773.
Out of the three events the one that I think is most important is the creation of The Thirteenth Amendment. This Amendment was passed by the Senate on April 8, 1964; it was also ratified on December 6, 1865. This Amendment ended slavery as a legal institution. This Amendment was signed by President Lincoln. Inside the document it said that all slaves who were held ion any states or anywhere in the United States were to be set free. This national event later changed the course of our country's history.
This is important because the slaves were set free and no longer need to suffer anymore. This legislation finally enabled these Americans equal justice. They were no longer the property of others. They then had an opportunity to have a better future. It enabled African-Americans to get jobs, go to school, and have equality in their lives. This Amendment not only changed the lives of former slaves, but changed all Americans lives as well.
Before the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865, president Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War issued the first, of two executive orders called the Emancipation Proclamation. The first order, issued on September 22, 1862 declared the freedom of all slaves in many states. The second order, issued on January 1, 1863, showed all the states in which slavery was banned.
After the American Civil War there was a concern that the Emancipation Proclamation Act was not being followed. Slavery continued to exist in many states. Not until December 18, 1865, when congressmen came together and finally passed the “Thirteen Amendment” officially abolished slavery the United States institution of slavery finally wiped out.
As you all know Phillis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a novel. Wheatley was born 1753 in Gambia,Africa. Phillis was a slave child of seven or eight. She was sold to John and Susanna Wheatley. During her life it wasn`t really common for any woman to publish any type of books. Slaves weren`t even to be educated at all. But her gift of writing poetry drove her the whole entire way through. Wheatley wrote her first poem at age 12 “On Messrs. *Hussey and Coffin.”
Phillis Wheatley was taught how to read and write by Mary, the daughter of her owner. Selina Hasting was a friend of Phillis Wheatley. She encouraged her and financed the publish of her poems. Phillis popularity grew mostly in the United States and England which lead her to freedom in October 18,1775.She even met General Washington in March,1775 for her poetry.She was also a supporter of independence during the Revolutionary War.
I think that The United States Institution of Slavery wiped out by the Thirteenth Amendment is important. I think it is important because first off it excluded slavery.It changed the future of the U.S.A. along with the way people think.The Amendment has actually shown that not even one slave with anyone will be tolerated.This Amendment has given reasons to respect every single person even if you like or dislike them
I think "The United States institution of slavery was finally wiped out by the ratification of the thirteenth amendment on December 18, 1865," was most significant American history above. Why do I think that is the most significant American history above? Well, in the 7th grade Social Studies, it was mostly about slavery and Amendments in my class. Slavery was most significant to me because many slave owners experience hitting slaves and dont look at them like humens/ I think if slavery was never wiped out on December 18 , 1865 now in the 2,000's slave owners will still continue on , on what they were doing back then. For example, now if I do somthing wrong and I am a slave the owners can't hit me. But looking back then I will be whiped to death like the slaves back then. Now everyone has freedom and no slaves will be cought running away. This is why I think " The United States institution of slavery was finally wiped out by the ratification of the thirteenth Amendment on December 18, 1865" was most significant American History above.
I think that The United States Institution of Slavery wiped out by the Thirteenth Amendment is important because it stopped slavery. It changed life for alot of people and it changed the way The United States is today. The amendment was also important because it told people that everyone should be treated equally and have equal rights.
The Amendment has shown that one slave with anyone will not be tolerated.The words of this amendments are Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction.
I think the most significant event in American history from the 7th grade curriculum was the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. This was such an important step for this country because it permanently abolished slavery completely. It also ensured that anyone that didn't follow and still had slaves would be prosecuted for the breaking law. Abolishing slavery changed the lives and futures for many people. It freed them from a horrible, unjust way of life. The Thirteenth Amendment also paved the way for the furthered the right of minorities.
In my opinion, I think that the cotton gin was the most important invention in the 1970's. Cotton harvested at that period were filled with seeds and other unwanted materials. Eli Whitney's invention helped speed up the process of picking the seeds off the cotton. This invention could hold up to fifty pounds of cotton daily. This invention made American life easier and increased the American economy. Although we've change the cotton gin, we still use this brilliant invention today. -Henry Zhang
I believe that learning about Phillis Wheatley and how she was the frist African American to publish a book is the most significant thing I remember from the 7th grade. She was born on December 5th, 1754 in Gambia, Africa. She was a slave who was sold to John and Susanna Wheatly on July 11,1761 in Boston. Phillis' first poem was published at the age of 12 years old, the name of the poem was "On Messrs. Hussey and Coffin.". Phillis was popular in the United States and England, which brought her out of slavery on october 18,1773. She was also a strong supporter of independence during the Revolutionary War. She died in December of 1984 in Boston, Massachusetts.
I feel when slavery was demolished was the mos significant event in the 7th grade curriculum. If they didnt have this demolished a lot of African Americans wouldn't even have have any rights they have today. Some things like write books or vote for president. With out this american fact today's modern day would be completely different then it is now. African Americans would still be treat the same way about 100 years ago. It is preety obvious that this fact is the most significant eentin the 7th grade curriulum.
Out of all three topics I think that the one about Phillis Wheatley. The first African American to publish a book is the most important. She did not care about the law and she just kept on writing. This made a huge difference. She had great talent in writing. She wanted to show her talent with the world.
At that time when she was writing and getting her thing published. She was still I slave so her master had every right of keeping the money she was earning. Her popularity was mostly in United States and in England .Then finally because of her popularity and success on October 18, 1773 she was not a slave anymore and freed from slavery.
In my opinion, I think that the most significant event out of the three is the invention of the cotten gin. It was because it reduced the amount of slaves needed. The invention of the cotten gin has speed up the procces of picking out cotten seeds out of the cotten. Because of this invention it made less labor for the slaves. Also it made about 3.853 billion for the United States. Thats why I think the cotten gin is the most significant in american history.
In my opinion, the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment is the most important of the three events. It was passed on December 6, 1865. It is an important politically-affiliated event because it is, after all, amendment and the first in a line of three amendments that is supposed to restore former slaves' rights, hence the name "restoration amendments." It is of equal importance, if not of more importance, social impact. It gave slaves a proper opportunity to integrate themselves into society and most importantly, they are no longer slaves. They can now receive the same rights as other people. Of course, such progress is not without its setbacks. The economic standpoint of this fact is that slave trade is a perished business and the plantation business has greatly suffered, yet this is only a temporary setback. This is why I believe the ratification of the 13th amendment is the most important of the three events.
For me it was a tough decision to make between Phillis Wheatley and the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment but I have decided. I believe that Phillis Wheatley was more significant than the invention of the cotton gin or the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. Phillis Wheatley had help from her owners, John and Susanna Wheatley, teaching her how to read and write. She went against the law
and was the first African American to publish a book. She stood up for something that she believed in and I think that is important. Now Phillis Wheatley is going down in history, and it shows many people to fight for their dreams, instead of sitting back because someone said that they cant.
She wrote:
"Twas mercy brought me from my Pagan land,
Taught my benighted soul to understand
That there's a God, that there's a Saviour too:
Once I redemption neither sought nor knew.
Some view our sable race with scornful eye,
"Their colour is a diabolic die."
Remember, Christians, Negros, black as Cain,
May be refin'd and join th'angelic train.
Cunningham Shareece Charles
Class 806 Sept. 7. 2007
I think that the event from my 7th grade curriculum that is most important is choice c; The United States institution of slavery was finally wiped out by the ratification of the Thirteenth Amendment. I believe this is the most important event because as an African American this ended slavery. If this law had not been passed I would probably have been a slave and wouldn’t have all my privileges. I also think that I would be really depressed and unhealthy. I definitely wouldn’t want any Caucasian man or any other man looking down on me either and I would be mad if I couldn’t learn to read.
Phillis Wheatly as you all know was the first African American Writer to publish a book. Her Book Poems on Various Subjects was published in 1773. She was born in modern day Senegal which used to be Gambia, Africa. Phillis Was Captured by Africans and Named After the slave ship The Phillis. She was sold into slavery by the age of 7. She was brought to Boston, Massachusetts on July 11th 1761. Her poems are based on Slavery and overwhelming Christian Themes. Many White people found it hard to believe that a Black Woman was so intelligent. In 1772 Phillis had to defend her literary ability in court. She died December 5th, 1784.
Henry Zhang, in your comment you stated that in your opinion you think thar the Cotten Gin was the most significant event. Do you think America would be any different today if the Cotten Gin was not invented? why or why not?
I think that the most significant event would be when Phillis Wheatley, the first African American to write a book of poetry. It's not that she wrote a book of poetry. It's that she was the FIRST African American to write a BOOK!
This was a very accomplishing day for Phillis Wheatley and for African American slaves. It made a lot of slaves believe that they can also do something important. To go from an African American woman slave to a free woman writer is incredible. It was a very important day not only to African American slaves, but also to most of the USA.
Phillis Wheatley was a very smart woman. She worked hard when she was tutored by her owner's daughter. I think it was a great moment when she became an African American free woman from being a slave, for all her hard work.
The one author whom I agree with in their opinion about freedom is Franklin D. Roosevelt, United States President (1941). "We look forward to a world founded upon four essential human freedoms. The first is freedom of speech and expression - everywhere in the world. The second is the freedom of every person to worship God in his own way - everywhere in the world. The third is freedom from want - which...means economic understanding.... The fourth is freedom from fear, which means...a world-wide reduction of armaments..." I agree with his quote because freedom is mostly about the ability to express your speech and the freedom to worship and believe in god any way you want. I believe Franklin Roosevelt and I have the same idea about freedom because we both believe everyone should have those rights and no one has the right to take it away from us.
Some of the quotes that I disagree with is “Samuel Adams, American revolutionary leader (1771)."The truth is, all might be free if they valued freedom, and defended it as they ought." I disagree with this quote because in this he is blaming people for not standing up for themselves. Some countries without much power where invaded by stronger rulers that took away the freedom of the people living there so in which case they had no choice but to obey. Also if they would fight back they would get killed and those who try to escape, would get thrown away into a jail or get killed. I also disagree with the quote “Euripides, Greek dramatist (484-406 BC). "Greeks were born to rule barbarians,... not barbarians to rule Greeks. They are slaves by nature; we have freedom in our blood." I strongly disagree with this quote because in my opinion and according to my beliefs I say that nobody should have their freedom taken away just because they are a certain religion or race.
My definition of freedom is that everyone should have the right to have freedom of speech and freedom to believe and worship god any which way they want to. No one should be forced to be one religion, I believe that god gave us these rights and no one should take them away from us. Many people say the definition of freedom is to be able to do what they want, but they aren’t specific enough. It definitely does not mean to have rights to do exactly what they want whenever we want, because so many people believe this, this is why we have specific rules and laws.
The thing that should be remembered
the most is that slavery was wiped out by the thirteenth amendment in 1865.This moment is significant because this is the time when all people were free.Every person who was a slave were then free men or women.This was an important and historical time.It was a proud moment for used to be slaves.This is what I think
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