Abstract The paper refers to the essay "And our Flag was Still There" by Barbara Kingsolver who explores what the Americanflag represents to different people. The paper explains that the flag is perceived as a religious icon, utilized to display proud patriotism or to represent anger and the need for change, and also represents the myth of Manifest Destiny and the myth of freedom. Additionally, the paper shows how the flag is like a propaganda tool that has been used in many settings and can mean whatever the American people believe it to mean.
From the Paper "The flag is the most powerful symbol of patriotism for any country, and especially for the United States because the American flag is recognizable anywhere. With its stars and stripes speaking about the history of the nation, the flag sums up what it means to be an American. Therefore, when a person looks at the flag or flies one in their yard or from their car, the person is saying, "I am proud to be an American." The flag equals patriotism. At the same time, the flag means whatever the individual wants it to mean. A person can burn the flag at a political protest to show disgust or disappointment with American policy. Or, as Barbara Kingsolver explains, the American flag can be used for political reasons such as to symbolize the war on terror. Because the American flag can mean anything the person wants it to mean, it remains the most important and most flexible national symbols. The flag can represent proud patriotism or it can represent anger and the need for change."
Abstract This paper details two laws that were passed in order to legislate correct respect for the Americanflag. The laws mentioned are the Flag Code and the Flag Protection Act. The laws are discussed and their importance examined.
From the Paper "Does the idea of watching someone burn the United States Flag make you cringe or would you hardly bat an eye at the thought? Would you consider yourself more "patriotic" for defending the integrity of the Flag itself or the principles upon which it was founded? Patriotism seems to historically have been linked with the poignant symbolism of the U.S. Flag, and the whole issue can be an emotional topic for many people. For military members, it probably brings to mind visions of hordes of tearful airmen singing "Proud to Be an American" during the last week of Basic Military Training. But regardless of what memories the Flag resurrects in each of us, no one can deny that knowing and demonstrating the proper display of respect for the U.S. Flag is an important aspect of being an American--and this is the central issue that this paper will address. The two key events that shaped the current situation were the enactment of the Flag Code and the Flag Protection Act."
Abstract This paper reviews "Flags of our Fathers" written by James Bradley. "Flags of our Fathers" is the story of the tremendous struggle of the American marines preceding the raising of the Americanflag on the island of Iwo Jima, Japan in 1945.
From the Paper "It was vital that we capture the island, and it was vital to the Japanese that they prevent that capture. As the author of Flags of our Fathers says, "somehow valor overcame terror" (p. 273). The carnage was terrible: by the end of the first day less that 16% of the medical corpsmen had survived and this handful of men had to do the best it could to help tremendous numbers of casualties, many with severe injuries.
The seven men who raised the second flag at Iwo Jima were Ira Hayes, Franklin Sousley, John Bradley, Harlon Block, Mike Strank, "Doc" John Bradley, and Rene Gagnon. Each of these men endured hardships and horror to get to that powerful moment. These men -- and many others -- had to crawl over bodies and body parts to advance. The first description of Harlon Block is of a man in shock, stunned by what he has seen and possibly experiencing flashbacks of horrors he had seen on other islands. These four men in the photograph represent all the agony, struggles and triumph of all the men over all the years who got our forces to that point, that day, on Iwo Jima. Men below the mountain cheered and hooted, believing the battle was over. "
Abstract This paper argues the the flag is one of most important symbols of America, and as such, should be protected from anyone who seeks to defame, or destroy it in any way.
From the paper:
"I believe that with the burning of the flag, the symbol of our country and its constitution, you are saying that you don?t believe in what its stands for. Therefore, you are rejecting the very principles of our country and its constitution since the flag and the constitution are so closely tied together."
Tags:flags, patriotism, usa, law, symbol, nation, constitution, defacement
Abstract This paper takes a look at the cultural history of Texas going back to its origins as two different nations: Catholic Mexicans and independent American settlers. The paper describes the battle for the Republic of Texas and the symbolism in the Lone Start Flag.
From the Paper "Texas is identified for a number of reasons throughout the United States. One of the most common reasons is because of the number of flags it was governed under throughout the years. For the fifteen years from 1821 to 1836, it was ruled under the reign of the Mexican government. This flag represented many aspects of life in Texas and Mexico. However, the two cultures and political ideas caused many conflicts, as did the distrust the Mexican people held for the American settlers. To begin with, the Americans and the Mexicans held two different sets of values. The Americans believed strongly in freedom of religion, while the Mexicans held a very strong belief in the Catholic Church. The Southern Texan settlers felt it was acceptable to own slaves, while the Mexican people were strongly opposed to this action. The Mexican people also had a long tradition of respect for authority, while the American settlers in Texas, emigrating from a new, independent nation, held little or no respect for authority. Another difference was in the human nature of the two cultures. The American people possessed an individualistic nature that was blunt and self-assertive. This clashed with the Mexican nature, which was subtle and secretive. These differences caused problems for two primary reasons. The first being that it is difficult to effectively govern people who posses such different opinions in values and different characteristics in human nature. The second is that the Mexican flag stood as a symbol over Texas. This symbol represented their control over the Texas settlers, which therefore enforced the Mexican values and personalities upon Texans. These differences were the beginning of the discontent towards the Mexican flag, its government, and its people. "
Analysis of flag desecration as symbolic speech including symbolic speech and the first amendment; symbolic speech and fighting words and the landmark decision of Texas V. Johnson.
2,241 words (approx. 9 pages), 8 sources, 2001, $ 69.95
Abstract This paper provides a thorough analysis of the landmark case involving flag desecration, Texas V. Johnson, and the idea of flag desecration as fighting words. In order to argue for the recognition of flag desecration as fighting words, which are federally recognized elements of speech that by their very utterance incite a breech of the peace, the author first makes a clear and concise argument for flag desecration as symbolic speech.
From the Paper "In 1892, New York Baptist minister, Francis Bellamy wrote a few heartfelt words into his prayer book. The short prayer was to express his appreciation of the freedoms provided for in his beloved country ? America. Today we know that short prayer to be the Pledge of Allegiance. For more than one hundred years, American school children, new American citizens and men and women of the military have recited the patriotic prayer to show their loyalty to America. And although the recitors of the "pledge" face an American flag, the pledge is not of allegiance to the flag, but to the United States of America. In fact, Bellamy wrote that while thinking of the pledge his emphasis was on ?the republic for which it stands.? (Baer) We may further understand that the republic by his definition, is synonymous with America."
Abstract This paper reviews a court case involving flag burning and free speech as examined by author Robert Goldstein, who frames the issue of flag burning as a symbolic fight over a symbol. The author points out the positions of Justices William Brennan and Antonin Scalia and Chief Justice William Rehnquist. The paper includes several analyses of the significance and implications of the case.
From the Paper In the case of Texas v Johnson, the United States Supreme Court ruled that the state of Texas could not prosecute Gregory Lee Johnson for burning the flag without violating the First Amendment."
Abstract This paper is a creative writing essay which looks at the Americanflag as a symbol of all that the United States stands for - freedom, patriotism and diversity. The paper also mentions how America is seen to the rest of the world - as a super-power and a land of endless opportunity.
From the Paper "Fifty stars, three colors, thirteen stripes: six white, seven red; a mere rectangular cloth that has embodied the United States of America for over two centuries. This flag represents a spectrum of life in this country and yet it is displayed, on occasion, in its homeland. Lately the American flag has become a figure of popularity, with many men and women displaying it on their cars, on freeway overpasses, and most commonly at their homes. Yet, do any of these advocators know what they are advocating? Do they know what the flag symbolizes in our country today? The flag of America has differentiated meanings, and can be viewed in many obscure ways. It exhibits the independence that many in this country have strived for, have suffered for, and have rejoiced over. Ultimately, the American flag represents the people by symbolizing patriotism, diversity, and freedom."
Tags: liberty, National, Anthem, Pledge, of, Allegiance, New, World
Abstract This paper discusses the acrimonious and interminable battle over an official Canadian flag, which has been an illuminating chapter in the history of a young and still befuddled country. The paper asserts that this battle is evidence of a nation with an identity crisis, torn between two giants, the United States of America to its south and its colonizer, the United Kingdom. If there was one thing that united the various factions in this dispute it was disunity.
Abstract This paper describes the war that existed in the Philippines after the Spain's defeat at the hands of the United States during the Spanish-American War. As a direct result of the war, the Philippines were given to the United States and the Filipino people who originally believed that they were fighting a war for freedom and independence against the Spanish begin to turn against American troops who they view as simply another occupying force. The first part of the paper gives a background to the Filipino insurgency and its main leader, General Emilio Aguinaldo. Aguinaldo's tactics of fighting a guerrilla war against American troops is examined, as well as the effectiveness of these attacks on shocking the American public back home. Feeling betrayed by America who promised the Filipino people freedom after the Spanish were defeated, Aguinaldo embarked on a series of deadly attacks on American soldiers in the Philippines. As a result, American troops responded with equal brutality in their reprisals with very little organized military command holding them back. Diaries are heavily cited in this section of the paper, giving primary sources that tell of how desperate the American soldiers were at the time and how they needed to racially dehumanize the enemy in order to commit such vicious acts of reprisal. The second part of the paper deals with how the American press responded to the war. Numerous newspaper articles and other criticisms of the war are given as examples, some written by the early 20th century's most prominent figures such as Mark Twain. The general point of this section is to show how deeply divided the American public was over the war in the Philippines and how many felt that it would lead to American involvement in other world affairs. A direct parallel is also drawn to the Iraq War in modernity. Finally, the paper ends with a detailed account of how individual soldiers from both sides viewed the conflict. The Filipinos clearly viewed the insurgency as a necessary action in order to preserve their promised independence, while many American soldiers were disgusted and frustrated with why they were in the country to begin with, and often responded violently towards the natives since they began to view them as subhuman. The psychology of warfare is briefly discussed, as soldiers often dehumanize the enemy as a means of justification of their own violent behavior. The end of the insurgency is also discussed, with American troops brutally putting down the rebellion and establishing a tight control over the entire area for decades.
From the Paper "On April 11th, 1898, the President of the United States William McKinley went to Congress and asked the elected body to declare war on Spain for their role in oppression overseas and to accommodate public opinion that was strongly anti-Spanish due to the sinking of the United States battleship Maine only a few months earlier that was blamed on Spanish agents. Congress eventually sanctioned the war, and the Spanish-American war commenced with several battles over Spanish colonies such as Cuba, Puerto Rico, and the Philippines. The war itself was over fairly quickly, as hostilities were ended only a few months after war was officially declared. The involvement in the former Spanish colonies clearly demonstrated that America had shifted to a strong imperialistic attitude when it came to the Western Hemisphere and indeed the world in general, and would be forced to endure all of the benefits and tribulations that came from being an imperialistic power."
Tags: aguinaldo, american, emilio, filipino, history, philippines, spanish, war, wars
This paper traces the evolution of America's identity using elements of the musical 1776. It concentrates on the Founding Fathers and their drive for freedom and the large role that an American identity played in independence.
960 words (approx. 3.8 pages), 3 sources, 2002, $ 34.95
Abstract This paper uses extensive information about colonial America and discusses the issue of an American identity. Analysis of the film 1776 and Thomas Paine's Common Sense is used to demonstrate the strength of this identity. The thesis is as follows: As the film 1776 clearly demonstrates, during the American Revolution an American identity was stronger than it had ever been.
From the paper:
"Early American colonies were viewed as very individual and indeed in many instances had much closer ties to England than they did with each other. However, ties with England began to fray due to the poor of the colonies by England. Early examples of this were the Navigation Acts of 1660, which regulated commerce and ensured that ?everything went through England.? From this time, an American identity began to form. As tensions between England and the colonies grew stronger other factors arose to further the development of an American identity. "Choice" in shopping and material possessions and the "standardization of consumer behavior" (similar goods being available throughout the colonies ) enhanced unity throughout America. As the film 1776 clearly demonstrates, during the American Revolution an American identity was stronger than it had ever been."
Tags: 1776, american, common, fathers, founding, independance, revolution, sense
Reviews both American non-fiction and American fiction works of art to support the notion that the American spirit is reflected in both types of literature.
1,150 words (approx. 4.6 pages), 4 sources, 2002, $ 44.95
Abstract One of the most poignant quotes in American literature comes from Donald Briscoe, who stated that "To understand American Literature, it is necessary to examine both its fiction and its non- fiction because the key to the American Spirit can be found in both." This paper assesses Briscoe's quote through addressing two works of American fiction and two works of American non- fiction with the intent of proving how the spirit of the American people is reflected in both types of literature.
Abstract This paper examines the internment of Japanese-Americans during World War II by comparing this action with the freedom experienced by German-Americans during the same period. The author questions the inherent racism of Americans that enabled such an occurrence to be legally sanctioned, while German-Americans lived their lives freely, although Hitler and Germany were also enemies of America during World War II. The paper then presents a detailed background of the Japanese immigrant experience in America, contrasting this with the American ideal of freedom and the reality of racism. The experiences of African and Native-Americans are also considered. The paper then describes the actual Japanese internment, which was unprecedented event in American history. The paper further states how the Internment still has an effect on the psyche of the Japanese-American population today. The author concludes that the internment of Japanese-Americans during the Second World War was one of the great tragedies of American history.
Outline:
Introduction
Background: The Japanese Experience in America
Prejudice Unleashed: The Internment Experience
Conclusion
From the Paper " Naturally, the situation was worse the further removed from the Anglo-Saxon ideal a group might chance to be. After the Civil War, the newly reunited nation demanded a huge supply of cheap labor to build its rapidly expanding railroad network. In the West, this labor was provided, to a large extent, by settlers from Japan and China. Labor Contractors, generally Japanese or Chinese themselves actively recruited these workers and brought them to America. They helped to lay the foundations of America's industrial prosperity. White American racial attitudes combined with a nationwide railroad strike in 1877 to create the necessary conditions for a crackdown on Asian immigration. The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was soon followed by other, stricter acts, in 1892, 1902, and 1904. And as White America saw little, if any difference, between Japanese and any other Asians, the anti-Chinese immigration laws were followed by a Japanese Exclusion Act in 1907. By 1924, the United States had imposed an almost total ban on all immigration from East Asia, ..."
Tags: Japanese-Americans, internment, World, War, II, immigrant, experiences
Abstract This paper argues that the Americans provoked the Mexican-American War of 1846 - 1848. The writer details the events leading to the war and then explains why it was the fault of the Americans that the war took place. It examines the impact of the war on the Mexican citizens and the effects of relationships between the two countries until today.
From the Paper "Throughout the history of the nation we have weathered many storms. This latest round with Afghanistan is just one more. In most cases we do not start wars. We are content to live in peace and just oversee the way things go around the globe, however there have been exceptions and the Mexican American War was one of them. While both sides were at fault in that war it was the American side that started the process, which built on both sides until it finally cumulated in a war."
Tags: war, american, mexico, Texas, Rio, Grande, independance
A paper which explores the way American society has emerged through the granting of rights and liberties to various groups and classes of Americans through the years.
Abstract A study of the progress of the granting of rights to various races and classes throughout American history. The paper shows this progress by examining the relevant literature that bears on the history of rights and freedoms -- Ben Franklin's ?Autobiography,? Frederick Douglass? ?Narrative of an American Slave,? Michael Shaara's ?Killer Angels,? John Locke's "Second Treatise of Government" and the American Constitution. The paper shows that these documents have contributed greatly to the fact that individual liberties and rights have increased steadily since colonial times.
From the Paper "But here, Franklin develops the early system of checks and balances in government. The King may not act without colonial assent, and the colonists may not act without royal asset. Once assent is given on either end, it is not retractable. Rights, then, are permanent in Franklin's assessment. The King, once he acts, may not go back on his word and retract rights. However, there is a sort of double standard, as naturally the colonists may continue to ask for more rights on top of the ones that the king has already granted. This logic leaves a balance of the power tilted towards the colonists and their Assemblies rather than towards the King: the very start of our progress of individual rights and freedoms."
Tags: African, Americans, internment, camps, Japanese
