Archive for the ‘Early Republic’ Category

The Cumberland Road

This will be good for some easy points of EXTRA CREDIT on Wednesday, October 31 . Bring the answers with you to class. I will NOT take this late.

Go to this site (http://www.history-magazine.com/natroad.html) by History Magazine and read the article on the importance of the Cumberland, or National Road.
1. Why was the road so important?
2. Explain the economic impact of the road.
3. How did the road help American expansion?
4. Who was Henry Clay (you may have to do research or recall this information– it’s not in the article) and why did he support the construction of the road?
5. Where, exactly, was the Road?

Links for further information:
The Building of the Cumberland Road

Excellent Review of Jackson’s Presidency and Impact

Go here: 
http://www.pbs.org/kcet/andrewjackson/alife/defender_union.html

There is a great summary on the page to which I linked, as well as other resources that you should examine. His presidency is considered to be a pivotal time in American expansion and politics.

Chapter 14 questions

Due Monday, October 22.

Make sure you are answering thoroughly and doing your own work in your own words.

1. What were the specific causes of the rise of the market economy in the early 19th century?
2. What specific hardships did those living on the frontier (the West) face? What adjectives best describe frontier settlers in terms of their education and intellectual attitudes? Why does your text refer to the West as “the most typically American part of America?”
3. What is ecological imperialism? How and why did George Catlin oppose this?
4. Where did the “surplus people” come from?
5. Which country provided the largest source of immigrants in the 1840s and 1850s, and what were the push factors that drove these people from the native country? Where did these people tend to settle in the US, and why? How many of them settled in the US between 1830 and 1860?
6. Why did native-born people tend to distrust this group (in question 5) in particular (explain religious reasons and secret societies)? What was the Order of the Star Spangled Banner? What fear did nativists have about immigrant impact on our religious and cultural heritage? What true impact did immigrants have upon the US economy?
7. How were German immigrants different from Irish immigrants in terms of their settlement patterns? How did the Irish begin to influence urban politics, especially in New York?
8. Where did the modern factory system begin? How did Britain attempt to protect its virtual monopoly in the textile industry? What role did Samuel Slater play?
9. Where did American business find the capital to develop and expand? Which of these three things necessary for business development—capital, raw materials, and labor—did the US have most abundantly?
10. What technological innovations were Americans creating during this time period? Make a chart with the creators, DATES, and inventions/innovations.
11. In what industry did the industrial revolution first center in the US, and why? Where was this manufacturing concentrated in the US? What group of people benefitted most from manufacturing enterprises?
12. What were the main markets for Southern cotton? Why did the South not develop more textile manufacturing at this time? How did Eli Whitney accidentally encourage the expansion of slavery?
13. What was the innovation most responsible for the growth of modern mass manufacturing?
14. What role did women and children play in early US manufacturing? Explain the “cult of domesticity” and explain the discord between belief in this ideal and the first part of this question. 15. How were American families affected by the increasing industrialization of America? How did the home come to be viewed as work moved away from it and to a separate location (such as a factory?)
16. How did unions develop in the business sector, and what was the relevance of the case of Commonwealth v. Hunt? What impact did the panic of 1837 have on unionization, and why? What finally enabled workers to have more influence over conditions under which they labored, from a legal standpoint?
17. Explain the development of transportation during this time period as a necessary function of economic development. Where and when were roads, canals, turnpikes, and railroads being built? Include dates and specifics. What impact did the transportation revolution have upon sectionalism?
18. What was the significance of the Cumberland Road, and where was it?
19. What impact did Robert Fulton have upon river transportation?
20. What does the phrase “canal consequences” mean? What impact did the development of roads and canals have upon the importance of the Mississippi?
21. What legal questions were raised by the growth of the market economy?
22. What was the impact of industrialization on Americans’ standard of living (also consider children in your answer)?

Chapter 12 Questions

Due next WEDNESDAY.

Questions Chapter 12

 

Be sure to answer fully and include details. This is the easiest way to help prepare for your tests.

 

1. What internal problems affected the way the US fought the War of 1812? What were the weaknesses of our military? Were there any strengths?

2. Why did Canada become an important battleground? Why was our strategy regarding Canada flawed? Why was the Battle of Plattsburgh so important, and what was the other name of this battle?

3. What were the four main parts of the British strategy? Why was the attack on Baltimore (and Ft. McHenry) significant? What provoked the British blockade of our coast?

4. What was the most significant defeat the British suffered during the war? What were the long-term impacts of this battle? How did the US victory in this battle affect the national attitude, not just toward the war but to pride in country?

5. What caused the British to lessen their demands during negotiations at Ghent? How did both sides seek later to demilitarize the Great Lakes area?

6. How did the War cause the death of the Federalist Party? Be sure to answer completely.

7. Why is this war sometimes called “The Second War for Independence?”

8. What momentous event occurred in Europe militarily at nearly the same time as the end of the War of 1812?

9. What specific changes occurred in the US in the wake of the War? How was our trade with England affected, and what did the US do in response (and how was it a first)?

10. Describe Henry Clay’s American System. Explain the reasons why various groups either opposed or supported it.

11. Why was the post-war era known as “The Era of Good Feelings?” In what ways was this name a misnomer? Consider economics in your answer as well.

12. What were the causes of the Panic of 1819? What were the causes of the western land boom? What currency policies did westerners demand to be able to buy land?

13. Why did the proposed admission of Missouri to the Union in 1819 cause enough opposition to necessitate a compromise? How does this reflect a growing sectionalism? What was the point of the Tallmadge Amendment? What were the details of the resulting compromise, and how did it affect the remaining Louisiana Purchase Territory?

14. What were some specific reasons why John Marshall was such a pivotal figure in American legal history? What was his philosophy? Create a chart of the most important decisions of the Supreme Court under his leadership, explaining the principles that each case represented.

15. How did the southern part of the Old Northwest Territory get embroiled in the growing slavery controversy?

16. What were the specific reasons why the West grew so rapidly after 1815?

17. What important treaties were completed during this time period, and what did they accomplish? You may make a chart if you wish—might help with studying purposes.

18. What was the idea behind the Monroe Doctrine? Who created this doctrine, and in response to what event? How did Latin America and Britain react to this doctrine?

 

 

Information on the XYZ Affair

As you read, consider:
1. What were the consequences of the XYZ Affair regarding our relations with France?
2. What is the relationship between the XYZ Affair and the Convention of 1800?
3. Who was the Marquis de Talleyrand?


http://history.state.gov/milestones/1784-1800/XYZ

The Bill of Rights– Complete with their own preamble…

Here is the background to the Bill of Rights:
http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/conlaw/billofrightsintro.html

Read the whole thing, including the rights that Madison included which were rejected!


http://www.archives.gov/exhibits/charters/bill_of_rights_transcript.html

Here is an interesting site– the Bill of Rights Institution:
http://billofrightsinstitute.org

And now, let’s sing the Preamble!!!

All together, now! Remember what the six purposes of the Constitution are!

I’m just a bill– Yes, I’m only a bill…

How a bill becomes a law…. Thank you, Schoolhouse Rock!

3 branches of government? 3 ring circus!

More awesomeness from Schoolhouse Rock!

Chapter 10 questions

Due Friday!

Chapter 10 questions
Make sure you are answering FULLY.

1. What were the strengths and weaknesses of the new nation as of 1789? Had anything changed since 1787? Include population growth in your calculations.
2. Why was Spain a possible threat to western development?
3. List the specific ways the presidency of Washington established precedents.
4. Prior to the building of the District of Columbia, what was the temporary capital of the US?
5. How many rights were included in the Bill of Rights? (Count them—you will be surprised.) What was the fear regarding the enumeration of rights? How was this fear ameliorated?
6. What exactly does the Constitution say about the judicial branch? What did the Judiciary Act of 1789 do?
7. Why does the author pinpoint Hamilton as the key figure of this period over Jefferson and even Washington?
8. Explain why Hamilton claimed that funding at par would benefit the nation.
9. What deal did Jefferson make to get the location of the US capitol to be in the South?
10. What were the main sources of government revenue during the Washington administration? How does that differ from today? Look it up.
11. Explain the different claims of Hamilton and Jefferson regarding a national bank. How did this reflect a deeper disagreement about the Constitution? What were the characteristics of the 1st Bank of the United States?
12. Why was the excise tax on whiskey especially resented on the frontier? How was the response to this rebellion different from that against Shays’ Rebellion?
13. List all the effects of Hamilton’s financial plan.
14. What is the difference between a faction and a party? What are the pros and cons of a 2-party system? How did the French Revolution affect the partisanship in American political life—why did each party view the Revolution differently?
15. Compare and contrast the French Revolution to the American Revolution. Make sure you consider causes as well as characteristics.
16. Why did Washington nullify the Franco-American Alliance with his Neutrality Proclamation? Explain this quote: “American neutrality in fact favored France.”
17. How responsible were the British for our troubles on the Frontier? What is significant about the Treaty of Greenville?
18. How else did Britain violate American sovereignty, and what was our specific response? Evaluate Jay’s accomplishments in England. How did this treaty lead to Pinckney’s? How was Jay’s Treaty received by France?
19. Why did Washington’s Farewell Address advise isolationism?
20. What challenges did Adams face as president that Washington did not?
21. Why did undeclared war erupt with France? Why did Adams’ action toward France prove to be wise? How did the Quasi-War—and the Franco American Alliance—come to an end?
22. How did the Federalists attempt to stifle dissent? What were the political considerations used in altering immigration laws? Why was the Sedition Act not overturned by the courts? How did the Alien and Sedition Acts lead to the promotion of the doctrine of nullification?
23. Explain the compact theory of government? Ho did the compact theory lead to support for secession?
24. Look at the chart on p. 219. What aspects of the different beliefs of the Federalists and Democratic-Republicans can still be seen today in our political parties? Did either party support full democratic participation (universal manhood suffrage)? Explain. What types of people were more likely to support each party?
25. How did Jefferson link slavery with the preservation of democracy?

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