This essay will break down through different time periods why America is so bound to violence, beginning with the first settlers coming to America, over the business with the Indians, the fight of independence, the Truman doctrine in connection with school violence today, the gun control issue, and it will take a look into one possible future, based on the movie "The Purge".
"American society is engulfed in a world of violence. […] We know from routine statistical data collection, studies and media reports, that there are enormous numbers of violent episodes in this county each year." Moreover, "the high levels of serious violence appear to be uniquely 'American'. The United states has [for example] a higher homicide rate than in any other industrialized nation- nearly double that of Spain, which has the second highest rate." Violence is being defined in this Essay according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary as "the use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy." But regardless of how many people speak up about the topic, want to change something about this issue and demonstrate nothing changed so far. The USA as a country, is born with and lives through violence, both in a sense of having prospered from it and being surrounded by it.
Table of Contents
1. USA, Living Through Violence
2. British settlers and their colonies
3. The trouble with the Native Americans
4. The American civil war
5. Truman doctrine and school violence
6. Gun control
7. The movies “The Purge” and “The first Purge”
8. Conclusion
Research Objective and Core Themes
This essay explores the historical and cultural roots of violence in the United States, arguing that violence is deeply intertwined with the nation's identity and development, ranging from colonial origins and the displacement of Native Americans to modern issues like gun control and school shootings.
- Historical evolution of violence in American society
- Colonial policy and the systematic displacement of Native Americans
- The role of violence in the American Civil War
- The impact of foreign policy doctrines on domestic violence patterns
- The socioeconomic and cultural factors driving gun culture
Excerpt from the Book
USA, Living Through Violence
„American society is engulfed in a world of violence. […] We know from routine statistical data collection, studies and media reports, that there are enormous numbers of violent episodes in this county each year.” (Levine and Rosich 1). Moreover, “The high levels of serious violence appear to be uniquely “American”. The United states has [for example] a higher homicide rate than in any other industrialized nation- nearly double that of Spain, which has the second highest rate.” (Levine and Rosich 84). Violence is being defined in this Essay according to the Merriam Webster Dictionary as “The use of physical force so as to injure, abuse, damage, or destroy.” But regardless of how many people speak up about the topic, want to change something about this issue and demonstrate nothing changed so far. The USA as a country, is born with and lives through violence, both in a sense of having prospered from it and being surrounded by it. This essay will break down through different time periods why America is so bound to violence, beginning with the first settlers coming to America, over the business with the Indians, the fight of independence, the Truman doctrine in connection with school violence today, the gun control issue, and it will take a look into one possible future, based on the movie “The Purge”.
Summary of Chapters
USA, Living Through Violence: This introduction outlines the prevalence of violence in the U.S. and sets the thesis that the nation's history is inextricably linked to violent acts.
British settlers and their colonies: This section examines how early colonial policy and the transportation of convicts established a foundation of violence in American society.
The trouble with the Native Americans: This chapter details the systematic extermination and displacement of Native Americans, justified by early imperialist values and national identity formation.
The American civil war: This section explores how the struggle for liberty and slavery fueled a culturally ingrained willingness to engage in organized violence.
Truman doctrine and school violence: This chapter analyzes how the Truman doctrine's philosophy of reacting to threats with force parallels modern societal issues, particularly in school environments.
Gun control: This section discusses the cultural and economic pressures that sustain high firearm availability and complicate gun control efforts in the United States.
The movies “The Purge” and “The first Purge”: This analysis looks at these films as allegories for a future where the U.S. might use state-sanctioned violence to manage socioeconomic instability.
Conclusion: This final chapter synthesizes the findings, confirming that violence is a core element of the American path to prosperity and remains unlikely to decline significantly.
Keywords
USA, violence, American history, colonial policy, Native Americans, Civil War, Truman doctrine, gun control, school shootings, firearm availability, The Purge, social violence, genocide, national identity, economic history
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the fundamental focus of this work?
The work focuses on the pervasive nature of violence in the United States, arguing that it has been a defining feature of the country's development from colonial times to the present.
What are the central thematic areas covered?
The central themes include colonial history, the displacement of Native Americans, the American Civil War, foreign policy doctrines, gun control, and the cultural normalization of force.
What is the primary research objective?
The objective is to explain why America is so historically and culturally "bound" to violence by examining its progression through different eras and societal challenges.
Which scientific methodology is employed?
The author employs a historical-analytical approach, utilizing literature review and thematic analysis of historical documents, social studies, and contemporary media representations.
What topics are discussed in the main body?
The main body covers the arrival of British settlers, the genocide of Native Americans, the American Civil War, the internal impact of the Truman doctrine, and the persistent issue of gun ownership.
Which keywords characterize the work?
Key terms include American violence, historical development, colonial roots, gun culture, and state-sanctioned violence.
How does the author connect the Truman Doctrine to modern school violence?
The author argues that the doctrine's principle of using violence to neutralize threats has subconsciously permeated society, influencing how individuals, including students, perceive conflict resolution.
Why does the author use "The Purge" as an example?
The movies are used as a fictional case study to illustrate a potential extreme future where a country facing total economic collapse might turn to violence as a mechanism to manage society.
How is the concept of "American identity" linked to firearms?
The author argues that firearms are viewed by many as symbols of freedom and the "heart" of the nation's identity, protected by constitutional interpretation and cultural history.
- Quote paper
- Annika Zöpf (Author), 2018, USA, Living Through Violence, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/516558
