Freedom
INTRODUCTION
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the term “freedom?” I might argue that the Fourth of July, fireworks, barbecue, and family came to mind if you are reading this in the United States. The idea of freedom is just as impactful as the definition it has in the dictionary. Historically, our textbooks have turned to the history of the United States of America to elaborate and justify what it means to be truly free. From that freedom, the average American might ostensibly argue that their nation is the freest, or that all other nations got their freedom inspired by the United States.
However, from a historical perspective, what does it mean to be truly free? How free can one person truly be when compared historically? The term has taken on different meanings across different nations amongst different people historically. To England, their perspective of Union forces to free American slaves during the American Civil War can be overshadowed by their abuses of Indian labor under the East Indian Trade Company. To understand this concept, let’s take a look at the activity below.
ACTIVITY
Let’s start by going over different definitions of what people think freedom is. (link)
Now let’s go over a brief transcription of freedom in the United States Declaration of Independence. (link)
Finally, let’s go over a series of videos on freedom:
Now that we have gone through this activity, let’s answer the following questions in the comment section:
1) What exactly is freedom?
2) How has freedom been defined historically?
3) Why do you think people give up certain freedoms historically?
