3 things I've learned talking with Americans about the country's 250th birthday
Summary
The article discusses conversations with Americans and historians about what it means to be American on the country's 250th birthday. It highlights that the founding ideals of equality were contradicted by the exclusion of women, Native Americans, and Black people, with slavery continuing for many years and leading to the Civil War.Key Facts
- The United States reached its 250th anniversary in the current year.
- Many Americans and historians reflected on the meaning of being American at this milestone.
- The Founding Fathers established a democratic republic with the idea that "all men" are created equal.
- Despite this ideal, women, Native Americans, and Black people were excluded from equal rights at the start.
- Slavery remained legal in the U.S. for almost 90 years after the country's founding.
- Historian Joseph Ellis noted that even people against slavery were often against giving enslaved people equal treatment.
- The contradiction between American ideals and realities contributed to the Civil War.
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