history writing question

Purpose
In the modules covered so far, we have covered how white Europeans came to North America and expanded through the continent, creating a new American identity through Revolution and war, and laying claim to the territory as their “Manifest Destiny.” In each module, we have looked at these events from the perspective of other minority groups to investigate how identity was shaped by societal and cultural pressures such as the existence of racial slavery causing racial hierarchies, territorial expansion challenging indigenous identity, or gender discrimination compounding the inequality of minority women. Reflecting on what you have learned at the midpoint of the semester is an important way to develop metacognitive skills and understand how historical interpretations are created and revised.
As students explore the historical development of the United States, they should be able to evaluate and synthesize different positions, support analysis with relevant evidence, and create evidence-based interpretations of:
major subtopics in United States history, such as Native Americans and their interactions with the U.S. government; slavery and its legacies; the foundational ideals of the American Republic; colonization and territorial expansion; economic development; political reform and reaction; immigration to the United States and the experiences of immigrants; foreign relations; wars and conflicts; movements including religious, labor, civil rights, feminist, and environmental.
multiple perspectives related to, for example, diverse cultures, communities, and environments; age, gender, and sexuality; the history and experience of racial, ethnic, and religious minorities; the experiences of people with disabilities; and patterns of race and class relations.
The reflective essay will ask students to consider course materials up to and including Module 7. In a short (2-3 double-spaced pages) essay students will reflect on what they have learned about the formation of coalitions and conflicts between different ethnic groups in the early United States, and how this confirms or challenges their understanding and relationship to the past. Historians must support their claims with evidence so your reflections should draw on examples from course resources including assigned readings, document activities, and documentaries. Outside research is not required as the assignment is based on your reflection on course materials. You can draw on your own reflections in video journals and discussion posts etc, but you should not copy and paste your work as this is a new assignment where you should synthesize your reflections. Any ideas or information that do not come from your own knowledge should be properly cited in whichever citation style you are most familiar with in your discipline (MLA, APA etc) or with a simple parenthetical citation. eg (Takaki, 81)
In your reflection, answer the following questions:
1. Which module most challenged your existing knowledge about United States history by presenting a different perspective of events?
2. Which conflict between different identity groups did you find most significant and why?
3. Which coalition between identity groups did you find most significant and why?
Requirements: 600 words | .doc file
Materials 1
We Shall Remain: After the Mayflower is a documentary about Native American history and the events that took place after the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620. This film offers a new perspective on the history of America and the impact of the arrival of the Europeans on the Native American people and their land.
From this documentary, I can learn about the resistance, resilience, and culture of the Native American people. It also provides an insight into the way in which the Native American people managed to maintain their cultural traditions and beliefs despite the attempt by the European colonizers to erase their culture and suppress their identity. The documentary shows the different tactics used by the Native American people, such as the King Philip’s War, to resist the attempts by the European colonizers to take control of their land and subjugate their people.
Moreover, the film highlights the key events in Native American history, such as the signing of the Treaty of Portsmouth, which resulted in the creation of a sovereign nation in New England, and the Wounded Knee massacre, which marked the end of the resistance movement against the US government. This documentary sheds light on the untold history of the Native American people and their struggle for survival, which is a crucial aspect of American history. It provides a comprehensive view of the events that took place after the arrival of the Mayflower and helps to broaden our understanding of the past, present, and future of the Native American people.
In what ways did it affirm or challenge your existing knowledge of this period of history?
As a viewer, I learned a lot from watching the documentary “We Shall Remain: After the Mayflower.” This film provided me with new perspectives on the history of the Native American people and the events that took place after the arrival of the Mayflower in 1620.
My existing knowledge of this period of history was either affirmed or challenged by the information presented in the documentary. If I had prior knowledge of the events and experiences of the Native American people, the documentary confirmed and supported my understanding of the events. For example, if I was aware of the resistance movements and treaties signed between the Native American people and the Europeans, the documentary provided me with more in-depth information and a better understanding of these events.
What challenges to identity or institutions did the group featured in this film experience?
The group featured in the film experienced several challenges to their identity and institutions after the arrival of the Europeans. One challenge was the forced removal of the Native American people from their ancestral lands and their subsequent displacement. This forced migration, known as the Trail of Tears, resulted in the loss of their homes, communities, and cultural institutions that were the foundation of their identities.
Another challenge was the introduction of foreign diseases, which decimated the Native American populations and threatened their survival as a people. This loss of life also threatened the cultural and social institutions crucial to preserving their identity. Additionally, the Native American people faced cultural and religious suppression as the Europeans attempted to assimilate them into their own cultures and religions. This assimilation effort threatened the Native American people’s different cultural and religious practices, which were essential to their identity.
What strategies did they utilize to affirm or protect their identity during this period?
The Native American people featured in the documentary “We Shall Remain: After the Mayflower” utilized several strategies to affirm and protect their identity during this period of history. One strategy was resistance and defiance, where they actively opposed the forced removal from their ancestral lands, the introduction of foreign diseases, and the cultural and religious suppression they faced. For example, they organized resistance movements and engaged in negotiations with the Europeans to protect their rights and preserve their identity.
Another strategy was the preservation and continuation of their cultural and spiritual practices. Despite the efforts of the Europeans to assimilate them into their own cultures and religions, the Native American people continued to practice their own cultural and spiritual traditions, which were essential to their identity. This helped them to affirm and protect their identity and maintain their connection to their ancestral heritage.
They also formed alliances with other Native American tribes and created intertribal networks to share resources and information and support each other in facing their challenges. This helped to strengthen their collective identity and affirm their shared heritage as Native American people. Additionally, the Native American people used education to preserve their identity and pass their traditions, culture, and history down to future generations. This helped to ensure the continuation of their cultural institutions and identity for generations to come.
Materials 2
“We Shall Remain: Trail of Tears” provides a powerful portrayal of the experiences of the Cherokee Nation during the forced removal and relocation in the 1830s. The documentary reveals the devastating impact of the Indian Removal Act of 1830, which was signed into law by President Andrew Jackson, on Native American communities. The act allowed the US government to forcibly remove thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands and relocate them to designated territories in the west.

The film tells the story through the voices of the Cherokee people, who were among the tribes forcibly removed, and through the perspectives of historians, archaeologists, and other experts. The film focuses on the experiences of several Cherokee individuals, including Major Ridge, John Ross, and Elias Boudinot, who struggled to navigate the shifting political landscape of the United States and protect their people’s rights and interests.