Question

Referring to Chapter 12 in A People's History of the United States, How do you feel about Zinn's presentation of the United States as a racist nation and a bully? Were we an empire? Are we an empire? Give examples.

Answer 1

Howard Zinn in his book A people's History of the United States brings out the real history that revolutionaised the way American history was presented till then. In chapter 12, he calls America as an empire that was so brutal that people had to fight for their rights in all aspects such as civil rights, higher wages, rights of women, Native Americans etc. The book describes the inhuman acts America followed to gain one status, Super power but Zinn's question was, is it worth it?
In my opinion, America was an empire that salvaged everyone except Western European settlers. They made everyone struggle including Native Americans, African Americans, women and labourers from other countries. Except for the women, the struggle still continues for others even today. Today's American brutality is in a different level, sell weapons, kindle wars and enter as peace keeping angels and Rob the resources of that country and destroy the identity of those countries. Without weapon business, America will be nothing today.
So, yes, America was and still is a n empire.