Confessions of an Economic Hit Man: A NonViolent Revolution Essay

Nonviolent resistance is the practice of achieving goals such as social change through symbolic protests, civil disobedience, economic or political noncooperation, satyagraha, or other methods, without using violence. This type of action highlights the desires of an individual or group that feels that something needs to change to improve the current condition of the resisting person or group. It is largely but wrongly taken as synonymous with civil resistance. Each of these terms nonviolent resistance and "civil resistance has its distinct merits and also quite different connotations and commitments.The modern form of non-violent resistance was popularised and proven to be effective by the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi in his efforts to gain

All through history governments and empires have been overthrown or defeated primarily by the violence of those who oppose them. This violence was usually successful however, there have been several situations, when violence failed, that protesters have had to turn to other methods. Non-violent protesting never seemed to be the right course of action until the ideology of Mohandas Gandhi spread and influenced successful protests across the world. Non-violent methods were successfully used, most notably, by Mohandas Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., and Nelson Mandela.

Many revolutions have taken place throughout history, ranging from the unremarkable to the truly memorable, such as the French Revolution, the Bolshevik Revolution and the American Revolution. Through an examination of the social, cultural, economic and political causes of the American Revolution, an exploration of key arguments both for and against the American Revolution, and an analysis of the social, cultural, economic and political changes brought about by the American Revolution it can be demonstrated unequivocally that the American Revolution was indeed truly revolutionary.

During the mid-20th century, African Americans struggled to acquire equal rights and recognition under the laws of the United States. African Americans fought and protested to obtain equality as the whites. After the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. many blacks began to protest more frequently leading to violence. In the speech, Chavez implores the people to put an end to violence and how it’s not more effective than the nonviolence resistance. Chavez appeals to pathos and ethos to develop his argument on why the citizens should turn to nonviolence resistance.

Opposing historians argue that the American Revolution is classified as a contradiction to the true qualities of a revolution. Interpreted from the class lecture regarding the AR , a revolution consist of, but is not limited to the following: Complete social reorganization such that the bottom and top of society assume their opposing position, must enact the societal transformation, and the struggle of a revolution must be bloody, gruesome, and vicious. It is assumed that the abundance of the aforementioned qualities culminate to a Revolution. A revolution is synonymous to a mutiny, revolt, or uprising; historians further argue the AR lacks such revolutionary elements. Examples of a revival of this magnitude are those

In contrast to the non-violent Indian revolution the American Revolution was a violent struggle for independence from Britain. The British victory in the French and Indian War left Britain’s resources stretched thin due to the fact that its land holding had increased in size. The war was also expensive and drained the British coffers. In order to remedy this problem American colonist were forced to

By depicting a sense of morals, Chavez is able to support the nature of nonviolence over any other possibility. The simplicity put into a single civil movement, allows for millions to participate from all across the country. The American people “yearn for justice,” and it is such yearning that appeals to such large crowds. Chavez also states that nonviolence “provides the opportunity to stay on the offensive.” By doing so, there is an advantage over the opposing side. Once escalated and turned violent, there is a “total demoralization” of the causae. In order to remain as morally good as the cause being fought, Chavez demonstrates how nonviolence would accomplish such.

No more are there noblemen or powerful landowners born above the rest. “...all men are created equal;” (Doc. 2). No more unjust laws brought upon the citizens by a crooked government. “...governments [derive] their just powers from the consent of the governed…” (Doc. 2). If the words of the Declaration of Independence doesn’t convince you that a great political change has happened, then the fact that the Patriots destroyed the statue of their King in Central Park should (Doc. 1). Perhaps more important, the Americans’ success in claiming their freedom from the British threatened empires and kingdoms around the world. When the people in many countries heard of the Revolution and what could be won from the rulers, most kings and dictators were forced to hand over basic rights to the citizens in fear of a revolution of their own, but to no avail. France came first, but also the Caribbean, the South American countries, and West India revolted, and so did many other countries in Europe (Coleman. Why Do We Study American History?). To be short, The United States’ Revolution influenced most if not all European countries’ political system for the better. How’s that for

“In American history popular movements often shaped elites, especially in times of crisis when elites were concerned with the ‘system’” (Young 1987). Preceding the Revolutionary War, great discontent against Britain unified the American people.

The realization, however, came with a stark reality: in order to obtain access to overseas markets, the US would need to devise clever strategies to validate and facilitate these aims. So, while power-hungry business moguls were busy conjuring up plans as to how to bring this about, government and military officials like Theodore Roosevelt, Senator Henry Lodge, President McKinley and Captain A. T. Mahan sought to extend the political and military presence of US forces around the world. The plan was to gain a foothold, and eventually be positioned to control leaders and policies of overseas nations. Naturally, it was a plan that would require the careful construction of outwardly logical

The American Revolution, perhaps the most significant event in the history of the United States, was indeed radical enough to be considered a true revolution. One historian stated that, “The founding generation articulated enduring political questions and provided the structures by which we still conduct our political lives” (Kerber 25) to emphasize the enormous impact that the revolutionaries had on contemporary American society. These questions and structures however do not only pertain to America’s political system and ideals; they also greatly changed American social standards and practices throughout the years directly preceding and following the revolution.

The 1970s was an eventful time in United States history. During the decade citizens saw positive actions committed by government officials such as ending the Vietnam War and negative actions such as the Watergate scandal. Notable, the United States documented an “unreported resistance” among its citizens. The “unreported resistance” was made of the numerous American men and women who did not support the government actions at the time. They protested nuclear plants, government munitions deals with Nicaragua, and they were not accurately represented in voting.

Peaceful resistance is a major part of American history, from the American Revolution to the 1960’s Civil Rights Movement to the Travel Ban protests of today. These instances of peaceful resistance shape American society for the better, as the voices of minorities are heard and unjust laws are ended. Peaceful resistance does positively impact a free society, as supported by Henry Thoreau, demonstrated by the 1960 Civil Rights Movement, and anticipated by protests of today.

Non- violent movements are a way for groups of people to achieve change and create an impact in the society. The labor, African American, and Vietnam anti-war peace movements were significantly successful in abolishing harsh working conditions, gaining civil rights for blacks, and withdrawing from the Vietnam War (Upchurch). Non-violent and violent movements have been used throughout history to evoke change in the society, obtain equality, civil rights, and peace. While violent protest result in the same changes, non-violent methods can ultimately go beyond local violent protest, spread nationally through movements, and protest without requiring violence. These events because of the non-violent

Such an attitude entails drastic and violent methods. Through this violence the revolution can succeed. Yet even after the colonial regime is removed, the infrastructure that was imposed continues to control the people. The bourgeoisie, the individuals who led the revolution leave the proletariat and the peasants disappointed. That which they have been promised is often unfulfilled or can only be considered insufficient. The spirit of revolution remains, and in time the proletariat will rise again, continuing to trust in the process.