begriffe 1-17 Flashcards
Anthropocene
The Anthropocene is a new suggested geological period succeeding
the Holocene (which is actually our own period since the end of the
glacial periods) marking the influence of human beings
(Anthropos) on geology (decrease in biodiversity, climate change,
pollution). It was defined in the 1980s and 2000s.
Culture (analytic definition)
All material and symbolic practices of a society, which serve as
systems of orientation or interpretation – culture is organized in
discourses.
American Exceptionalism
The idea that America is not only different from other states but
rather different from all states because it has a specific, perhaps
divine mission in world history. In this sense it is unique,
exceptional and „the greatest country in the world.“
American Studies
A mixture of historical and literary scholarship including questions
of urban studies, media studies especially interested in structures of
social differentiation: race, class, gender, ability, age etc.
Trickster
Mythological figure in indigenous American cultures: a
transformer, boundary crosser who is both good and bad, male and
female; often a friend and teacher for the human beings, somebody
who stole the fire from the gods. He is often called “Coyote”.
Related to Brer Rabbit, Till Eugenspiegel, Reineke Fuchs
Conquest according to Stuart Hall
An act of taking possession that goes along with the idealization or
vilification of the indigenous population through projection and the
imposition of European categories and the failure to respect
difference.
Invisible Bullets
Indigenous people believed that they were being killed by the white
people through “invisible bullets” – they died from diseases (such
as smallpox) which the Europeans brought to America.
City upon a Hill
John Winthrop used this phrase from the bible to tell his Puritan
brethren what he expected of them: to be a shining example of
Christianity and perfection for the whole world. Perhaps the origin
of American Exceptionalism.
Predestination/Providence
Providence, according to the Puritans, is the book of history, in
which all events, past or future, are pre-determined by divine will.
As a result all human actions, fates, ideas are predestined/foretold.
King Philip’s War/Metacomet’s War
Colonial/Intercultural war between the white population of New
England (the settler colonists) and the Wapanoag Nation with their
sachem (chief) Metacom. It killed 40% of the indigenous
population in New England; prisoners were sold into slavery; the
power of the indigenous nation was broken.
American Enlightenment
Also called the Age of Reason, period that led up to the American
Revolution, characterized by writings from John Adams, Thomas
Jefferson, Thomas Paine, Benjamin Franklin etc. Culminated in the
Declaration of Independence and the Constitution with the Bill of
Rights (“all men are created equal” etc.)
Checks and Balances
The separation of powers (executive, legislative, judiciary) through
specific institutions (presidency, Congress, the courts).
Federal Style in Architecture
The Palladian style of architecture (imitations of Greek and Roman
architecture) imported from Europe to America by Thomas
Jefferson to serve as a symbol for the new republic – it suggests
learning, democracy, civilization but also empire, whiteness and
elitism
Ante-bellum Reform Movements
At the end of the Early Republic, during the Ante-Bellum era a
variety of reform movements emerged: abolitionism, temperance,
the Sunday School movement, penitentiary reform, dietary reform
etc.
Nativism
Anti-Immigration movement in the 1840s and 1850s (Know
Nothing Movement, American Party) that was Anti-Catholic, Anti-
Irish and Anti-German. It wanted to reserve America for those born
in America.
