Americans share three basic values that consist of, liberty, equality, and democracy. The author also emphasizes the importance of government and citizens participation, and how there is a lack of participation from the citizens. Ginsberg also explains and defines who are considered Americans. This perspective of American political culture opens the readers’ eyes to a better understanding of the government and the importance of civilians in getting into politics by using their rights. For example, one way citizens can get involved with the government is voting. I believe it is important to vote every chance there is because it allows your opinion to be recognized under state or national office. During the mid-term election it was my first time to be eligible to vote, and at first, it was frightening because I was lost, however, through reading important information I was able to participate with a better understanding.
The author conveys a sense of unification through the chapter as they explain the importance of understanding the American government and its structure. This is important as a reader because it breaks down certain aspects of the meaning of being “American” and what can college students can do to practice their rights. It also broadens the perspective that defining “Who are Americans” is a difficult question to answer. The author breaks down the meaning of being “American” as being a naturalized citizen either by birth rights or immigrating and becoming a citizen. I think the way the author approaches the topic opens up the topic and discussion of being American and how it is not just the color of our skin that defines who is and is not “American”. I agree with Ginsberg that the term “American” is far beyond skins and birthrights and that people from other countries can become Americans through their actions. Lastly, I agree that because of bias and discrimination many people living in the United States feel that their voice does not matter. This matter is brought up because there is a lack of people government representing the minorities and people feel that because of this lack political efficacy no one is interest in helping the government.
In Chapter 2, Ginsberg explains the becoming of today’s the United States of America through the Constitution. Ginsberg outlines the importance of the conflict between Britain and the thirteen colonies and how it would later create the laws of the newly independent colonies. He also explains the failure of the organized government, and through the multiple failures, the founding fathers would ratify what is known as the U.S. Constitution. The most important thing that stood out to me in this chapter was the failure of the Articles of Confederation to the Bill of Rights and the ratification of the Constitution. Ginsberg explains that after the Philadelphia Convention they revised the Articles of Confederation.
127 our experts are availableright now
I think this is important to U.S. history because the Articles of Confederation focuses on Congress is the central government, however, it was too weak to control the newly separated States. Through this, it explains what federalists and antifederalists want in a government. Federalists are equivalent to modern day Democrats and Anti-federalists are equivalent to modern day republican. I agree with Ginsberg because he focuses on the ratification of the Constitution and difficulty to conform to a central government. This is important because this is the foundation of America that created a platform of American politics. Another point that I agree with Ginsberg and I find interesting is major difference between the first Constitution convention (Annapolis Convention) to the second Constitution convention (Philadelphia Convention). I believe that these two conventions played a major role of founding the government. Through the failure of the Constitution Convention and the Shays Rebellion…(Analysis/Opinions)
Ginsberg in chapter 3 explains federalism in the United States. In this chapter the author(Summary) (Analysis/ Opinions).
Chapter 4 explains Civil liberties and the Bill of Rights and the importance in both federal and state governments. Ginsberg explains throughout the chapter the Bill of Rights and how they are used and it could be misinterpreted. He also explains in this chapter the difference between civil liberty and civil rights. Civil liberty is the areas of personal freedom that is protected from government interference. Civil rights are the obligation imposed on the government to take positive action to protect citizens from any illegal action of government agencies and of other private citizens (Ginsberg). I agree with the author that the Bill of Rights is essential to citizens, however, there are disadvantages or grey areas. (Summary) (Analysis/Opinions).
Chapter 5, Ginsberg addresses Civil Rights and it is defined as the obligation imposed on the government to take positive action to protect citizens from any illegal action of government agencies and of other private citizens (Ginsberg). Throughout the chapter, the author expands on the difficulties of obtaining civil rights and how groups of people obtain these rights and extended them through the amendments. I agree with Ginsberg’s point a view that it is important to understand civil rights and how the government goes through specific cases to create these public policies. This is important because civil rights provide protection that is given through government actions and it expands from ten amendments to twenty-seven.
The Sagebrush State, chapter 1, Bowers recalls the history of Nevada and its origin prior to being a state. This takes place during the same time as the War of Independence against Britain and Western territories were still part of Mexico. One important detail that the author describes in the chapter was during the early 1820s, Mexico had no interest in developing the Great Basin territory. Bowers also explains another important detail of Nevada history is that many travelers were only crossing Nevada (Great Basin Territory) to get to California. (Summary) I found this chapter interesting because I did not realize how heavily religion was involved with the Great Basin territory. I think religion would drastically affect the territory because it laws would be based on religious beliefs. Also, I agree the importance of the Great Basin territory and how Mormons had a major influence with the beginning of Nevada and the surrounding territories/states. I find this intriguing to learn about Nevada because I did not know that religion played a major role in the formation (Opinion)
Chapter 2, Bowers recalls the beginning of Nevada’s road to statehood. The author writes the importance that Abraham Lincoln help progress the Nevada territory into a state during the Civil War.
In Chapter 3 of The Sagebrush State, Bowers …
References
- USA.gov – Register to Vote
- U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register and Vote in Your State
- Brennan Center for Justice – The Myth of Voter Fraud
- ACLU – Voter Suppression
- Pew Research Center – An Examination of the 2016 Electorate Based on Validated Voters
- FiveThirtyEight – Politics
- The United States Elections Project
