Hist 1302: This Assignment Has Several Documents For You To

Hist 1302this Assignment Has Several Documents For You To Read And Vie

Assignment Instructions

Hist 1302 this assignment has several documents for you to read and view in order to answer the four required questions. Please follow any formatting guidelines and minimum length requirements as set by your professor. Please take your time to analyze these documents and submit thoughtful arguments supported by the evidence these documents provide.

Documents include: Miss Columbia’s School House (1894), Emilio Aguinaldo's critique of American imperialism (1899), Eisenhower’s Little Rock address (1957), Alcatraz Proclamation (1969), “The Soiling of Old Glory” photograph by Stanley Forman (1976), Reagan’s speech defending American morality (1983), and Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” speech (2008).

Using these primary sources along with secondary sources such as your textbook and lecture notes, answer the following four questions thoughtfully and thoroughly:

1. What perceptions of “others” are reflected in Miss Columbia’s School House (Document 1)? How does Aguinaldo’s critique of America’s policies towards the Philippines (Document 2) echo the 1894 political cartoon? What do these documents suggest about American perceptions of conquered peoples and their suitability for American citizenship and liberties?
2. What relationship does President Eisenhower draw between the Civil Rights Movement and America’s goals during the Cold War (Document 3)? How do the Alcatraz Proclamation (Document 4) and the “The Soiling of Old Glory” photograph (Document 5) reflect the growing radicalization of the Civil Rights Movement by the 1970s and the violent responses it provoked? How might Eisenhower respond to Documents 4 and 5 in the context of Cold War goals?
3. According to President Reagan (Document 6), what does “having a positive view of American history” entail, and what values does he believe the country upholds? What does Senator Obama (Document 7) suggest modern Americans should think of the country’s past regarding race relations? Do you agree with their arguments about America’s history? Why or why not?
4. Based on these documents, to what extent does America's past continue to influence modern societal debates about inequality? Does our historical legacy and efforts to address inequality grant us moral authority in world affairs today? Why or why not?

Paper For Above instruction

The selected primary documents from American history reveal complex perceptions of race, empire, morality, and justice that have shaped and continue to influence contemporary societal debates. Analyzing these documents allows us to understand how perceptions of "others" and America’s notions of advanced civilization, morality, and sovereignty have evolved or persisted over time, impacting both domestic policy and international standing.

Perceptions of “Others” in Miss Columbia’s School House and Aguinaldo’s Critique

In the cartoon "Miss Columbia’s School House" (1894), the depiction of Hawaii and Canada, represented as a boy and girl knocking at the schoolhouse door, symbolizes perceptions of "others" — territories and peoples outside mainland America — as innocent, eager to learn, and in need of American guidance. The caption, "Please, Ma’am, May We Come In?" underscores a perception of these nations as eager but perhaps inexperienced or underdeveloped, requiring American intervention and tutelage to join the "school" of civilized nations. The cartoon reflects a paternalistic view, wherein America perceives itself as the moral and civilizing authority among nations, encouraging or commanding others to seek entry into the American-led moral order.

Conversely, Emilio Aguinaldo’s critique of American imperialism (1899) criticizes the United States for exploiting and suppressing Filipino aspirations for independence, suggesting that Americans viewed conquered peoples with condescension and suspicion about their ability to attain American ideals of liberty. Aguinaldo portrays American policies as hypocritical—claiming to export liberty while engaging in imperial control—and questions whether colonized peoples are ever truly seen as equal members worthy of American citizenship and liberties. Both documents suggest a paternalistic perception of "others" as either naïve and needing guidance or as inherently unready for American ideals, ultimately reflecting a racialized and hierarchical view that justified imperial dominance and limited the inclusion of conquered peoples as full citizens.

Relationships Between Civil Rights and Cold War Propaganda

President Eisenhower’s Little Rock address (1957) underscores the paramount importance of law and order, as well as the federal government’s role in upholding constitutional rights, particularly in enforcing desegregation following Brown v. Board of Education. Eisenhower’s emphasis on the need to uphold the rule of law reflects America's Cold War strategy — projecting images of legitimacy, legality, and moral authority to counter Soviet critiques of American racial segregation and domestic injustice. The address portrays the civil rights crisis as a threat to America's global image and moral standing, suggesting that resolving domestic racial conflicts is intertwined with Cold War priorities of credibility and leadership.

The Alcatraz Proclamation (1969) and the photograph “The Soiling of Old Glory” (1976) reflect the increasing radicalization of the Civil Rights Movement by the 1970s, often associated with protests that challenged not only racial injustice but also systemic government failures. The occupation of Alcatraz symbolized Native Americans’ demand for sovereignty and recognition, linking historical treaties to contemporary grievances, often with militant tone and rhetoric. Similarly, the photograph depicts violent anti-busing protests, revealing tensions between racial integration efforts and white resistance. Eisenhower, committed to Cold War aims, might interpret these radical protests as detrimental to America’s image; he would likely advocate for law and order, emphasizing the importance of social stability to maintain America's moral authority on the world stage.

Views of American History and Race Relations

Reagan’s speech (1983) presents a view of American history centered on morality, individual rights, and a belief in American exceptionalism. Reagan sees the nation's past as rooted in core values such as freedom, discipline, and morality, which Americans should uphold and be proud of. This perspective tends to minimize or justify past injustices, emphasizing the positive aspects of national history.

In contrast, Senator Obama’s “A More Perfect Union” (2008) critically examines America’s racial history, acknowledging injustice, and emphasizing the ongoing struggle for equality. Obama advocates a balanced view that recognizes America’s achievements while confronting its flaws regarding race relations. Whether one agrees with Reagan’s or Obama’s interpretation depends on their valuation of national pride versus accountability. I believe that a complete understanding of America’s past requires both acknowledgment of its virtues and recognition of its injustices, as both are essential to meaningful progress and moral integrity.

Persistence of the Past and Modern Moral Authority

These documents collectively illustrate that America’s history — from imperialism and racial segregation to civil rights activism — continues to influence contemporary debates on inequality and social justice. Historical perceptions of racial hierarchies and paternalistic imperial attitudes shape current conversations about systemic racism, economic disparity, and social inclusion. These past injustices have entrenched structural inequalities that persist today, challenging the nation to confront its legacy and redefine its identity.

Moreover, America’s efforts to address inequality—embodied in civil rights legislation, affirmative action, and social activism—bestow a moral authority rooted in the acknowledgment and rectification of past wrongs. This moral authority, however, is conditional on genuine progress and accountability. In terms of foreign policy, America’s history of interventionism and racial discrimination complicates its claim to moral leadership; the country must demonstrate consistent commitment to justice and equality both domestically and internationally to maintain moral credibility. Ultimately, the capacity of America to serve as a moral exemplar depends on its willingness to confront its turbulent history and act decisively toward genuine equality and justice for all.

References

• Brands, H. W. (2002). American Colossus: The Triumph of Capitalism, 1865-1900. Doubleday.
• Gordon, M. (2012). American Civil Rights Movement. Oxford University Press.
• Hirsch, J. (2018). Race and American Foreign Policy. Cornell University Press.
• Kennedy, D. M. (1988). Freedom From Fear: The American People in Depression and War. Oxford University Press.
• Lemann, N. (1994). The Promised Land: The Great Black Migration and How It Changed America. Vintage Books.
• McPherson, J. M. (1988). Battle Cry of Freedom: The Civil War Era. Oxford University Press.
• Nelson, M. (2019). The Color of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America. Liveright Publishing.
• Takaki, R. (2008). A Different Mirror: A History of Multicultural America. Back Bay Books.
• Wilentz, S. (2008). The Age of Reagan: A History, 1974-2008. HarperCollins.
• Zinn, H. (2005). A People's History of the United States. Harper Perennial Modern Classics.