Final answer:
Howard Zinn in his quote challenges the justification of historical acts of annihilation in the name of progress and suggests a reevaluation of history from a non-conqueror perspective, using examples from the myths of nationalistic narratives, the alteration of historical records by European colonizers, and the civilianizing mission portrayed in colonial literature.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the quote by Howard Zinn, he challenges the traditional narrative of history that often celebrates the concept of progress at the expense of acknowledging the annihilation of entire races. He questions the justification of such acts in the name of progress and prompts a reevaluation of history from a perspective other than that of the conquerors and Western leaders. To support his claim, Zinn provides multiple examples:
- The ideological foundation of nations often relies on myths that overstate their unique and grand history. The United States, for instance, touts itself as a land of freedom, yet its foundation involved taking land from Native Americans and exploiting African slave labor.
- European colonization rewrote the historical record of Latin America, intentionally destroying indigenous documents. This resulted in a biased portrayal of history, often reflecting the colonial viewpoint rather than the reality of the native people.
- The notion of benevolent assimilation during imperialist ventures, such as bringing 'civilization' to African, Asian, and Pacific Islander societies. This view is encapsulated by Rudyard Kipling’s 'The White Man's Burden,' which suggests that Westerners bore the burden of improving the supposedly uncivilized societies they conquered.
Zinn argues that history has often been told from a Eurocentric perspective, marginalizing non-European societies and cultures. His critique urges a more inclusive view of history that acknowledges the contributions and sufferings of all humans, regardless of race or power.
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