1620: A Critical Response to the 1619 Project

Wood, Peter W. 1620: A Critical Response to the 1619 Project. 2020. 272p. ISBN 9781641771245. 

In 2019, the New York Times released the 1619 Project, a series of documents that argued the United States' founding should not be the 1620 landing of the Pilgrims in Plymouth, but rather in 1619, when the first slaves arrived and were sold Virginia. Slavery is at the center of the 1619 Project, coloring every decision that was made since. Drawing from critical articles published by historians and other social scientists following the publication of the 1619 Project, Wood, argues that though slavery played an important role in American history, it is not the central characteristic that shaped the United States. Furthermore, Wood goes through the project and critically notes the weaknesses in its arguments. History is based on examining evidence, something that Wood mentions did not happen in the 1619 Project. 

Wood compares and contrasts several key moments in United States history and how these affected the development of the nation. The American Revolution and the battles that led to it are explored, as well as the role that Lincoln played in eliminating slavery and removing barriers to the integration of former slaves in American life. Ultimately, Wood argues that the 1619 Project was not real history, but rather a desire to rewrite large segments of American history into a reality that did not take place.