Agenda October 22

1. Agenda October 22 • Zinn Chapter 5 Quiz • Zinn Chapter 5 Discussion

2. Discussion Questions • Zinn blatantly disagrees with Bailey, Kennedy and Cohen in this chapter. In Chapter 9 of our textbook Baliey says: “ this double distillation inevitably brought together a select group of propertied men—though it is a grotesque distortion to claim that they shaped the Constitution primarily to protect their personal financial interests” (178). Who is right? • The story of William Scott (pg. 78): What does Zinn hope to illustrate by this anecdote? Does he succeed? Are there lessons here? • Zinn relates numerous anecdotes about small landowners who are taxed out of property and homes by local and state governments, but at the same time he comments that the number of landowners in America increased following the war – is there a contradiction here? Explain. • Does the constitution reflect the principles expressed in the Declaration of Independence? • According to Zinn, the Constitution benefits the wealthy elite interests and also benefits the slightly prosperous, at the expense of all others (Native Amers, Women, Blacks, working class): Is he correct? Is this a fatal flaw. • According to Zinn contracts between the rich and poor are never equal, thus they are inherently unfair? (pg. 99-100) Is he correct? What are the alternatives to contracts ? • Is Zinn correct when he says the Bill or Rights make the government the guardian of people’s liberties?