Ap Euro
Mason Smith
Period 3
Ex Post Facto
“Ex Post Facto,” by Stanley Schmidt, describes how people view history and historic societies’ beliefs. In this modern world, most people look down on past events that would now be considered unacceptable. He uses Christopher Columbus as an example throughout the text, and explains how his methods of conquering new land would be seen as cruel and evil in this present day. Kidnapping, murdering, and destroying most of the Native American homes is not easily forgiven in this day and age.
Slavery is another way of life Schmidt uses in his article. In our society, we have been taught that slavery is wrong and oppressing. So when we see great leaders such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owning slaves, we begin to question how great of leaders they really are.
Ex Post Facto Laws are laws that evolve with the country’s way of life. These acts that were committed by these past leaders were legal and considered as the standards for that time. As more people shared their insight and ideas, we saw the error in our ways and considered these acts illegal and punishable by law because they are degrading, cruel, and corruptive.
However, Schmidt explains that in these times, all of the events in this article were acceptable in their times. George Washington grew up with slavery all around him and was taught that it was the way things were supposed to be. It was hard for him to see it the way people see it now because that was his way of life. Columbus was exploring the world looking for new and exotic lands to call home. Finally he found a place to settle in and didn’t want the previous inhabitants to take away his new discovery. So he did as all other explorers did and took it from them. Columbus didn’t see himself as a tyrant or murder, but as a man who is causing change and opening up doors for big possibilities. All these men would be seen as horrible individuals in our time, but people need to realize that things have not always
Period 3
Ex Post Facto
“Ex Post Facto,” by Stanley Schmidt, describes how people view history and historic societies’ beliefs. In this modern world, most people look down on past events that would now be considered unacceptable. He uses Christopher Columbus as an example throughout the text, and explains how his methods of conquering new land would be seen as cruel and evil in this present day. Kidnapping, murdering, and destroying most of the Native American homes is not easily forgiven in this day and age.
Slavery is another way of life Schmidt uses in his article. In our society, we have been taught that slavery is wrong and oppressing. So when we see great leaders such as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson owning slaves, we begin to question how great of leaders they really are.
Ex Post Facto Laws are laws that evolve with the country’s way of life. These acts that were committed by these past leaders were legal and considered as the standards for that time. As more people shared their insight and ideas, we saw the error in our ways and considered these acts illegal and punishable by law because they are degrading, cruel, and corruptive.
However, Schmidt explains that in these times, all of the events in this article were acceptable in their times. George Washington grew up with slavery all around him and was taught that it was the way things were supposed to be. It was hard for him to see it the way people see it now because that was his way of life. Columbus was exploring the world looking for new and exotic lands to call home. Finally he found a place to settle in and didn’t want the previous inhabitants to take away his new discovery. So he did as all other explorers did and took it from them. Columbus didn’t see himself as a tyrant or murder, but as a man who is causing change and opening up doors for big possibilities. All these men would be seen as horrible individuals in our time, but people need to realize that things have not always