A Rosetta Key For U.S. History: Renewal or Rigidification? / Rosetta Key (ePub)

This work explores a generational history from America under the English and Spanish empires to the United States of contemporary times. A novel historical approach relies on generational markers every 15th year, rather than yearly astronomical dates. This method makes history more accessible and its patterns or phasings more apparent. Identified from cultures presented in an earlier volume, the phasings are: 1) "Invisible" Beginnings; 2) Establishment and Testing; 3) Novel Consolidation and Opening Up, 4) Crisis and Creativity; 5) Empire and Inclusion, and 6) Rigidification or Renewal.This history does not seek to hide or obscure the shadow side of America, nor does it fail to present the considerable beauty and light present, especially during the 30s generational phase.

One discovery prompted by a generational time chart of U.S. history was to extend its temporal depth. From earlier cultures, beginnings and establishment have typically taken longer than the abbreviated time span suggested by the traditional early focus on New England settlement. This brought us to consider the unexpected and underestimated importance of New Spain with centers in the Caribbean and Mexico as vital to understanding U.S. History. A second and related theme is the inclusion of the Indigenous in American history. It became increasingly evident that a complete U.S. history in terms of its past and future will not occur until the Amerindians, who were here for multiple cycles of history prior to European settlement, are more fully considered. Their influence extends not only into the historical past but continues with unexpected force to this day.

Come journey with us as our historical story broadens. Experience historical events and people's lives generation by generation, and see how they resonate with historical phasing. Such expanded and focused awareness, the author contends, will help us to make the generational choice of our times.