Competing interpretations of the American Revolution and Constitution

What are the competing interpretations of the American Revolution and Constitution? Derrick Bell argues that slavery doomed the American Revolution from the outset making racism and inequality a permanent feature. Gordon Wood, by contrast, concludes that America’s early commitment to the ideals of equality and liberty ensured that the country would become progressively more equal and free over time. Give your view of the relative merits. In doing so, be sure to discuss the following: • What are the competing interpretations of the American Revolution and Constitution? • What were the effects of the Revolution on the three groups discussed in class (women, Native Americans, and African Americans)? In what ways were their experiences similar and how did they differ? • For African Americans, discuss in detail the post Civil War era (1865 through the 1890s), the present era, and at least one other historical era discussed in lecture (e.g. early 20th century, the early Cold War years [mid 1940s-mid 1950s], or the Civil Rights era of the 1960s).