Oppression In Colonial America

Native Americans, Africans, and poor Whites in the colonies experienced and resisted different forms of oppression. Those three groups all suffered. From losing something, becoming a slave or being tortured. Many of them has faced a tragedy their life. To colonist people it didn’t matter what identities they were mistreating. Racism was an oppression for centuries. Discrimination was everywhere. In the end they all these groups shared something in common which was a long period of time of misery and suffering.
Native Americans tribes have been oppressed and cast down by white men. In 1800’s, their land was invaded and they were forced to do things for Columbus. Columbus was desperate to show profit on his voyages. On page 9, Howard Zinn book

stated,“ Indians who did not give gold to the Spaniards had their hands cut off and bled to death.” This quote shows how Native Americans didn’t have free will. A way they resisted was by rebelling against them. The Arawaks a Native American tribe, began to commit mass suicide with poison. Some of the colonists ran off to join the Indians and fight with them. According to Howard Zinn book on page 17 it stated, “Twelve years laters, the Indians tried to get rid of the growing English settlements. They massacred 347 men, women, and children. From then on it was total war. The English could not enslave Indians.” Throughout the years the Indians were trying really hard to protect their heritage and culture. Even if the English settlers try taking them as slaves they would defend themselves.
Racism was everywhere but mostly in the United States.

Africans suffered an oppression of Racism. Racism is an unequal treatment of people or group due to their race/ identity. Africans were tortured and made into slaves. They were sold to the Whites, they were owned and controlled and worked for no pay. On page 31, Zinn book stated, “They were packed aboard the slave ships chained together in the dark, in spaces not much bigger than coffins. Some died for lack of air in the crowded, dirty cargo holds of the ships. Others jumped overboard to end their suffering.” This quote from the books makes feel upset at the fact that some people don’t care about others lives. Though, some Africans stayed alive and resisted bad treatment. On page 34, Zinn book stated how they fought back, “Working slowly or secretly destroying white property. Another form of resistance was running away. Slaves just arrived from Africa, still holding on their heritage of village life, would run away in groups and try to set up communities in the wilderness.” Africans resisted in many ways. They stayed strong in a way no one can

imagine.
During the colonial period class lines harden.

Class was very important to the whites. Being rich was ordinary during that time. Being the same social, educational or economic status in society is what class meant to them. Poor Whites became indentured servants, they committed themselves to work for an amount of time in order to pay off a debt. Though being a poor White wasn’t fair. On page 46, Zinn book stated, “Once they arrived to America, indentured servants were brought and sold like slaves. Beatings and whippings were common servant women were raped. Masters had other means of control. Strangers had to show papers is prove that they were freemen, not runway servants.” A way they resisted was by rebelling or running away. On page 47, Zinn book stated, “Other servants went on strike and refused to work. In 1663, a Maryland master complained to the court that his servants would not do “their ordinary labor.” The servants said that they were too weak to work, because the they were too weak to work, because the master fed them only beans and bread.” Poor Whites did go through a lot but they would get an opportunity to go to court and complain about their masters. Running away was their only

freedom.
In conclusion, Native Americans, Africans and poor Whites will always be remembered in today's society. These three groups have suffered an oppression. They lost many things and were tortured in many ways. They all resisted and fought for their lives. Abraham Lincoln once said “This is a world of compensations; and he who would be no slave, must consent to have no slave. Those who deny freedom to others, deserve it not for themselves; and, under a just God, cannot long retain it.” To me, this quote of his reminds me everyday about what these three groups have been through. The early colonies has a huge impact on history, and the world wouldn't look the same if things haven’t changed.