After the war it was time to rebuild the south .Reconstruction resolved the issues of the American Civil War, after the Confederacy was defeated. Reconstruction Was also way addressed how southern states would return to the Union.Violent controversy erupted over how to tackle those issues. By the late 1870s Reconstruction had made some progress to provide the Freedmen with equal rights under the law. Republican leaders agreed that slavery and the Slave Power had to be permanently destroyed, and that all forms of Confederate nationalism had to be suppressed. Moderates said this could be easily accomplished as soon as Confederate armies surrendered and the Southern states repealed secession and ratified the 13 Amendment—all of which happened by September 1865. The only way to resolve these problems were to appoint a effective plan.There were three important plans.These plans were of Lincoln, Johnson ,and the Radical Republicans.Between the three the were similarities and differences. The Most Persuasive was congresses plan. This is due to their the Moral values of the Radical Republicans, Civil Rights Act of 1866, Freedmen's Bureau Bill.
The Radical Republicans is a term applied to a faction of American politicians within the Republican party from about 1854 until after Reconstruction. The Radical Republicans opposed Lincoln's "too easy" terms for reuniting the United States following the end of the Civil War. Using membership within the Joint Committee on Reconstruction, the Radical Republicans demanded a more aggressive prosecution of the war, the faster end to slavery and defeat of the Confederacy.During the American Civil War, and later into the first part of Reconstruction, the leading Radicals were Thaddeus Stevens in the House, Charles Sumner in the Senate, and John C. Frémont as the 1864 U.S. presidential candidate of the Radical Republicans. Because they had a majority in Congress, the Republicans pursued impeachment of former southern Democrat Andrew Johnson when he tried to subvert their duly passed legislation.
The Radical Republicans, being a loose variety of republicans, as said before were the Marjory of the government. They believed in ending the war as quickly as possible. In addition ,they also believed in the freedom of slaves and the equal right for blacks.By 1866 the Radical Republicans supported federal civil rights for freedmen. By 1867 they defined terms for suffrage for freed slaves and limited early suffrage for many ex-Confederates. While Johnson opposed the Radical Republicans on some issues, the decisive Congressional elections of 1866 gave the radicals enough votes to enact their legislation over Johnson's vetoes.Eventually Ulysses Grant used Federal power to try to break up the Ku Klux Klan organization.Though this is similar to the other two options the other ones were not as strict.
The Civil Rights Act Of 1866 is a Act suggested by United States legislation that gave further rights to the freed slaves after the end of the American Civil War.The act declared that all persons born in the United States were now citizens, without regard to race, color, or previous condition. As citizens they could make and enforce contracts, sue and be sued, give evidence in court, and inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real and personal property. President Andrew Johnson vetoed the bill, saying that blacks were not qualified for United States citizenship.The Republicans in congress overrode the presidential veto on April 9, 1866. The act declared that all people born in the United States were citizens of the United States. Such citizens were of every race and color and without regard to any previous condition of slavery or involuntary servitude. As citizens they could make and enforce contracts, sue and be sued, give evidence in court, and inherit, purchase, lease, sell, hold, and convey real estate and personal property. Persons who denied these rights to former slaves were guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction faced a fine of $1,000 and or imprisonment not exceeding one year.
The Freedmen's Bureau Bill was the government oriented authorization for the Bureau of Refugees, Freedmen and Abandoned Lands . Its aim was to provide assistance to the emancipated blacks of the South after the American Civil War. Originally created for one year, the bureau was continued in 1866 by Congress overriding the veto of President Andrew Johnson and extended. The bureau took responsibility for furnishing food and medical supplies to blacks, most of whom were destitute, and to needy whites as well. It was also concerned with the regulation of wages and working conditions of blacks, the establishment and maintenance of schools for illiterate former slaves, and the control and distribution of lands abandoned by or confiscated from Southern proprietors. In addition, the bureau handled legal trials involving blacks. The lands controlled by the bureau, totaling about 800,000 acres, were originally intended to be distributed to former slaves and to persons of proved loyalty to the Union, in lots not exceeding 40 acres. Most of the activities of the bureau were ended in 1869, except for the educational program, which continued in effect until 1872 and effected the most significant achievements of the agency.
The Radical Republicans were effective in their campaign. Compared to the other plans theirs were stricter towards the southerner. Furthermore they also helped freed slave build a home for themselves. Though they might have not favored black, their goals ended the war and slavery. In addition, to that they united the "Whole" united states of America .
Saturday, December 15, 2007
Saturday, December 1, 2007
Were the grassrootts movements in the Age of Reform success full in acheive theier goal.
In the nineteenth century a wave of Change was sweeping over America . The wave was called the Age of Reform. The Age of Reform was a social movement that would gradually change aspects of society.There were individual parts of the the movement . One was women's rights which began at the Seneca Falls Convention. Another was the abolition of slavery which would spark the civil war. Education reform also was a part of it.Horace Mann, goals were a more relevant curriculum and more accessible education.Lastly was Prison reform, which consisted of humiliation ,physical abuse.The Age of Reform was success full in achieve all their goals . This is due to the fact that everyone is prospering from the benefits today. these changes lie within women's rights, abolition, public education and prison reform.
In the ninteenth century women didnt have meany rights. They couldnt vote and it was unlady like to hold a job.Thier place was at home which created the ideaology " the cult of domesticity".Women were put in the center of the domestic sphere, and were expected to be a calm and nurturing mother, a loving and faithful wife, to be passive and delicate creature. These women were also expected to be pious and religious, teaching those around them by their Christian beliefs. Most importantly, these women were expected to unfailingly inspire and support their husbands. Soon many women started to follow the movements.During the mid-1800s Dorothea Dix was a leader in the movements for prison reform and for providing mental-hospital care for the needy.Women in the United States during the 19th century organized and participated in a great variety of reform movements to improve education, to initiate prison reform, to ban alcoholic drinks, and, during the pre-Civil War period, to free the slaves. Soon women were welcomed into the working world. Many were made factory girls sewing hats and weaving cloths. This helped and also lead to the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution when omen were allowed to vote, it was ratified in 1920.
The second movement was the Abolition movement.Abolitionism is a political movement that seeks to end the practice of slavery and the worldwide slave trade. It began during the period of the 2nd Enlightenment and grew in Europe and United States during the 19th century.All of the states north of Maryland began gradually to abolish slavery between 1781 and 1804.Throughout the first half of the 19th century, a movement to end slavery grew in strength throughout the United States. This struggle took place amid strong support for slavery among white Southerners, who profited greatly from the system of enslaved labor. These slave owners began to refer to slavery as the "peculiar institution" in a defensive attempt to differentiate it from other examples of forced labor.there were many abolitionist. such as Fredrick duglous who was african american and Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowewho wrote Uncle Toms Cabin.After 1830, a religious movement led by William Lloyd Garrison declared slavery to be a personal sin and demanded the owners repent immediately and start the process of emancipation. The movement was highly controversial and was a factor in causing the American Civil War.
The next movement was Education. Educaion was maily from first till eighth . After that children would start to work.Education reformers such as Horace Mann of Massachusetts began calling for public education systems for all. Upon becoming the secretary of education in Massachusetts in 1837, Mann helped to create a statewide system of "common schools," which referred to the belief that everyone was entitled to the same content in education. These early efforts focused primarily on elementary education.Another refoemer is Noah Websterwas an American textbook author, spelling reformer, political writer, word enthusiast, and editor.His Blue-backed Speller books taught five generations of children in the United States how to spell and read, and his name became synonymous with "dictionary", especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language.The most important recent reform in America's education system came under the No Child Left Behind Act 2002.
The last reform is Prison Reforem . During the nineteenth century prisons were worse then today.The officers would humilliate the inmates for laughs.Sometime they were physically abused.These reformer wanted to get better conditions for the inmates. Another thing was for better health services.In the early 1900s Samuel June Barrow was a leader in prison reform.He was the American representative to the International Prison Congress of 1895, 1900, and 1905, at which he was elected to serve as president of the 1910 congress.
The Age of reform set a course for each of these movements.It gave women the right to be equal. It started a civil war, but freed the slaves . It also helped to further educationfor all.With out the Age of reform the american soceity would not have evolved into what it is today.
In the ninteenth century women didnt have meany rights. They couldnt vote and it was unlady like to hold a job.Thier place was at home which created the ideaology " the cult of domesticity".Women were put in the center of the domestic sphere, and were expected to be a calm and nurturing mother, a loving and faithful wife, to be passive and delicate creature. These women were also expected to be pious and religious, teaching those around them by their Christian beliefs. Most importantly, these women were expected to unfailingly inspire and support their husbands. Soon many women started to follow the movements.During the mid-1800s Dorothea Dix was a leader in the movements for prison reform and for providing mental-hospital care for the needy.Women in the United States during the 19th century organized and participated in a great variety of reform movements to improve education, to initiate prison reform, to ban alcoholic drinks, and, during the pre-Civil War period, to free the slaves. Soon women were welcomed into the working world. Many were made factory girls sewing hats and weaving cloths. This helped and also lead to the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution when omen were allowed to vote, it was ratified in 1920.
The second movement was the Abolition movement.Abolitionism is a political movement that seeks to end the practice of slavery and the worldwide slave trade. It began during the period of the 2nd Enlightenment and grew in Europe and United States during the 19th century.All of the states north of Maryland began gradually to abolish slavery between 1781 and 1804.Throughout the first half of the 19th century, a movement to end slavery grew in strength throughout the United States. This struggle took place amid strong support for slavery among white Southerners, who profited greatly from the system of enslaved labor. These slave owners began to refer to slavery as the "peculiar institution" in a defensive attempt to differentiate it from other examples of forced labor.there were many abolitionist. such as Fredrick duglous who was african american and Harriet Elizabeth Beecher Stowewho wrote Uncle Toms Cabin.After 1830, a religious movement led by William Lloyd Garrison declared slavery to be a personal sin and demanded the owners repent immediately and start the process of emancipation. The movement was highly controversial and was a factor in causing the American Civil War.
The next movement was Education. Educaion was maily from first till eighth . After that children would start to work.Education reformers such as Horace Mann of Massachusetts began calling for public education systems for all. Upon becoming the secretary of education in Massachusetts in 1837, Mann helped to create a statewide system of "common schools," which referred to the belief that everyone was entitled to the same content in education. These early efforts focused primarily on elementary education.Another refoemer is Noah Websterwas an American textbook author, spelling reformer, political writer, word enthusiast, and editor.His Blue-backed Speller books taught five generations of children in the United States how to spell and read, and his name became synonymous with "dictionary", especially the modern Merriam-Webster dictionary that was first published in 1828 as An American Dictionary of the English Language.The most important recent reform in America's education system came under the No Child Left Behind Act 2002.
The last reform is Prison Reforem . During the nineteenth century prisons were worse then today.The officers would humilliate the inmates for laughs.Sometime they were physically abused.These reformer wanted to get better conditions for the inmates. Another thing was for better health services.In the early 1900s Samuel June Barrow was a leader in prison reform.He was the American representative to the International Prison Congress of 1895, 1900, and 1905, at which he was elected to serve as president of the 1910 congress.
The Age of reform set a course for each of these movements.It gave women the right to be equal. It started a civil war, but freed the slaves . It also helped to further educationfor all.With out the Age of reform the american soceity would not have evolved into what it is today.
Saturday, November 10, 2007
To what extent did natinalisimplay a role in the formulattion and application of U.S. foreign policy?
After America had finally started to take off it was time to expand the borders of the United States. During this time Territorial expansion became a major theme in America. This is due to economic, political and cultural reasons.This also brought Ideologies that supported territorial expansion, which also Produced the War Hawks. One of the expansions having to do with British Canada worsened relations between the two which ended with the beginning of the war of 1812.After the war ended the Monroe Doctrine was created to keep the European powers from claiming any territory in the western hemisphere.Expansions also force native Americans out of there homes and threaten the Mexicans which started the Mexican War. Nationalism played a role in the formulation and application of U.S. Foreign Policy to the extent it formed ideologies and created hostilities between other countries.This is due Territorial expansion , Manifest destiny and War Hawks , and the wars between the British and Mexicans
Territorial acquisitions, began with American independence. After the Revolutionary war the U.S. Border to Mississippi. Over the course of the next 134 years, the United States gradually added territory, through purchase, treaties, and as the result of wars, until in 1917 it reached the size it is today. In 1803 Jefferson Purchased Louisiana from France. The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819 with Spain resulted in Spain's cession of East Florida.In 1842 the Webster-Ashburton treaty when the U.S. and Britain settled the Canada boundary. President John Tyler signed a treaty of annexation with Texas in April 1844. After James Polk, a strong supporter of territorial expansion, won the presidency, but before he took office, Congress approved the annexation of Texas on February 28, 1845. On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state. Mexican Cession lands were a product of the Mexican-American War and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed February 2, 1848. In this treaty, Mexico gave the U.S. parts of what is Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming, and the whole of California, Nevada and Utah and recognized the Rio Grande as Texas' Southern border.
Manifest Destiny was a phrase that expressed the idea that the United States was destined to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean" Sea from shining sea". It has also been used to justify other territorial acquisitions. Though this was great for the Americans manifest destiny had serious consequences for Native American. It was bad because territorial expansion usually meant the inhabiting of Native American land. Further more it also was opening for Americans to convert the "Savages" in to Christians.
War Hawk is a term originally used to describe a member of the government House of Representatives of the Twelfth Congress of the United States who promoted waging war against Great Britain in the War of 1812. The War Hawks in the Twelfth Congress were mostly Democratic-Republicans who were primarily from southern and western states.War Hawks from the western states also believed that the British were instigating American Indians on the frontier to attack American settlements.War Hawks called for an invasion of British Canada to punish Britain and end this threat. Their opponents were the new England federalist who were Anglophiles. they believed a war would hurt commercial interest.
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and Britain.America declared war on Britain for a number of reasons , one was outrage at the impressment of thousands of American sailors. Another reason is because the Americans though that the British was the cause of Indian uprisings.The British had many more ships then the united stated but had no effect because the had most of their ships fighting the french.Though the Americans could not capture Canada they still had success in the great lakes. During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, accompanied by the American Prisoner Exchange Agent Colonel John Stuart Skinner, dined aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant, as the guests of three British officers As a result of this, Key was unable to do anything but watch the bombarding of the American forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. Key was inspired to write a poem describing his experience. Entitled "The Defense of Fort McHenry", it has become better known as "The Star Spangled Banner".On December 24, 1814, diplomats from the two countries, meeting in Ghent, signed the Treaty of Ghent. Unfortunately because of the long endeavor to notify both armies about the treaty.Unaware of the peace, Jackson's forces moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in late 1814 to defend against a large-scale British invasion. Jackson decisively defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8.
The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. doctrine which, on December 2, 1823, proclaimed that European powers would no longer colonize or interfere with the affairs of the newly independent nations of the Americas. The Monroe Doctrine states three major ideas, with one more added by President Theodore Roosevelt. First, it conveys that European countries cannot colonize in any of the Americas North, Central, or South as well as islands of the Caribbean which were considered to be a part of the Americas. Second, it enforces Washington's rule of foreign policy, in which the U.S. will only be involved in European affairs if America's rights are disturbed. Third, the U.S. will consider any attempt at colonization a threat to its national security. At first historians believed it was a defensive strategy . They also say that it was a expression of Manifest Destiny.
The Mexican-American War was an armed military conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S. annexation of Texas. In 1845, President Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico City in an attempt to purchase Mexico's Alta California and Santa Fé de Nuevo México territories. unfourtunetly it didnt go polks way. His message to Congress on May 11, 1846 stated that Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil." A joint session of Congress approved the declaration of war, with southern Democrats in strong support because they saw the annexation of Mexico as an opportunity to increase the number of slave states. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848 by American diplomat Nicholas Trist, ended the war and gave the U.S. undisputed control of Texas, established the U.S.-Mexican border of the Rio Grande River, and ceded to the United States the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming. In return, Mexico received US $15,000,000, . The U.S. also agreed to assume $3.25 million in debts that the Mexican government owed to U.S. citizens.
Ultimately Nationalism ran the United States till the Civil War. It created Manifest Destiny and helped territorial expansion succeed. More over it helped make the united states what it is today. Lastly it even gave our country its own national anthem. Which recognizes the state of the new country during this the early nineteenth century. Nationalism is still a way of life for our country and it is still " from sea to shining sea".
Territorial acquisitions, began with American independence. After the Revolutionary war the U.S. Border to Mississippi. Over the course of the next 134 years, the United States gradually added territory, through purchase, treaties, and as the result of wars, until in 1917 it reached the size it is today. In 1803 Jefferson Purchased Louisiana from France. The Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819 with Spain resulted in Spain's cession of East Florida.In 1842 the Webster-Ashburton treaty when the U.S. and Britain settled the Canada boundary. President John Tyler signed a treaty of annexation with Texas in April 1844. After James Polk, a strong supporter of territorial expansion, won the presidency, but before he took office, Congress approved the annexation of Texas on February 28, 1845. On December 29, 1845, Texas became the 28th state. Mexican Cession lands were a product of the Mexican-American War and the subsequent Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed February 2, 1848. In this treaty, Mexico gave the U.S. parts of what is Texas, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico and Wyoming, and the whole of California, Nevada and Utah and recognized the Rio Grande as Texas' Southern border.
Manifest Destiny was a phrase that expressed the idea that the United States was destined to expand from the Atlantic to the Pacific Ocean" Sea from shining sea". It has also been used to justify other territorial acquisitions. Though this was great for the Americans manifest destiny had serious consequences for Native American. It was bad because territorial expansion usually meant the inhabiting of Native American land. Further more it also was opening for Americans to convert the "Savages" in to Christians.
War Hawk is a term originally used to describe a member of the government House of Representatives of the Twelfth Congress of the United States who promoted waging war against Great Britain in the War of 1812. The War Hawks in the Twelfth Congress were mostly Democratic-Republicans who were primarily from southern and western states.War Hawks from the western states also believed that the British were instigating American Indians on the frontier to attack American settlements.War Hawks called for an invasion of British Canada to punish Britain and end this threat. Their opponents were the new England federalist who were Anglophiles. they believed a war would hurt commercial interest.
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and Britain.America declared war on Britain for a number of reasons , one was outrage at the impressment of thousands of American sailors. Another reason is because the Americans though that the British was the cause of Indian uprisings.The British had many more ships then the united stated but had no effect because the had most of their ships fighting the french.Though the Americans could not capture Canada they still had success in the great lakes. During the War of 1812, Francis Scott Key, accompanied by the American Prisoner Exchange Agent Colonel John Stuart Skinner, dined aboard the British ship HMS Tonnant, as the guests of three British officers As a result of this, Key was unable to do anything but watch the bombarding of the American forces at Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore. Key was inspired to write a poem describing his experience. Entitled "The Defense of Fort McHenry", it has become better known as "The Star Spangled Banner".On December 24, 1814, diplomats from the two countries, meeting in Ghent, signed the Treaty of Ghent. Unfortunately because of the long endeavor to notify both armies about the treaty.Unaware of the peace, Jackson's forces moved to New Orleans, Louisiana, in late 1814 to defend against a large-scale British invasion. Jackson decisively defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8.
The Monroe Doctrine is a U.S. doctrine which, on December 2, 1823, proclaimed that European powers would no longer colonize or interfere with the affairs of the newly independent nations of the Americas. The Monroe Doctrine states three major ideas, with one more added by President Theodore Roosevelt. First, it conveys that European countries cannot colonize in any of the Americas North, Central, or South as well as islands of the Caribbean which were considered to be a part of the Americas. Second, it enforces Washington's rule of foreign policy, in which the U.S. will only be involved in European affairs if America's rights are disturbed. Third, the U.S. will consider any attempt at colonization a threat to its national security. At first historians believed it was a defensive strategy . They also say that it was a expression of Manifest Destiny.
The Mexican-American War was an armed military conflict between the United States and Mexico from 1846 to 1848 in the wake of the 1845 U.S. annexation of Texas. In 1845, President Polk sent diplomat John Slidell to Mexico City in an attempt to purchase Mexico's Alta California and Santa Fé de Nuevo México territories. unfourtunetly it didnt go polks way. His message to Congress on May 11, 1846 stated that Mexico had "invaded our territory and shed American blood upon the American soil." A joint session of Congress approved the declaration of war, with southern Democrats in strong support because they saw the annexation of Mexico as an opportunity to increase the number of slave states. The Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, signed on February 2, 1848 by American diplomat Nicholas Trist, ended the war and gave the U.S. undisputed control of Texas, established the U.S.-Mexican border of the Rio Grande River, and ceded to the United States the present-day states of California, Nevada, Utah, and parts of Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Wyoming. In return, Mexico received US $15,000,000, . The U.S. also agreed to assume $3.25 million in debts that the Mexican government owed to U.S. citizens.
Ultimately Nationalism ran the United States till the Civil War. It created Manifest Destiny and helped territorial expansion succeed. More over it helped make the united states what it is today. Lastly it even gave our country its own national anthem. Which recognizes the state of the new country during this the early nineteenth century. Nationalism is still a way of life for our country and it is still " from sea to shining sea".
Friday, October 26, 2007
Revised:Jeffersonian Revolution
Thomas Jefferson was born April 13, 1743 in Shadwell , Virgina. Jefferson grew up to practiced law and served in the Virginia House of Burgesses. Jefferson Also served as governor of Virginia from 1779–1781. He also was a primary author of the Declaration of Independence.Further more Jefferson served as minister to France from 1785 to 1789. In addition he also was the first Secretary of State under the first president, George Washington.Finally in 1800 Jefferson became president of the United States. Jefferson's presidency was a second revolution for the United States. This is due to the 1800 Revolution ,Jeffersonian movement, and both of his terms as president.
United States presidential election of 1800, sometimes referred to as the “Revolution of 1800”, was the year when Thomas Jefferson( A Republican) defeated John Adams( A Federalist).The election resulted in a tie between Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Federalist ,Alexander Hamilton, who favored Jefferson more than Burr, voted for Jefferson instead of Burr, which allowed Jefferson to take hold of the presidency. The election brought in the time of the Democratic-Republican Party rule and the eventual decline of the Federalist Party. Further more, the republican party took control of the presidency and both houses of Congress, beginning a quarter century of control of those institutions. All in all the revolution was a peaceful transition in to the republican political party.
United States presidential election of 1800, sometimes referred to as the “Revolution of 1800”, was the year when Thomas Jefferson( A Republican) defeated John Adams( A Federalist).The election resulted in a tie between Jefferson and Aaron Burr. Federalist ,Alexander Hamilton, who favored Jefferson more than Burr, voted for Jefferson instead of Burr, which allowed Jefferson to take hold of the presidency. The election brought in the time of the Democratic-Republican Party rule and the eventual decline of the Federalist Party. Further more, the republican party took control of the presidency and both houses of Congress, beginning a quarter century of control of those institutions. All in all the revolution was a peaceful transition in to the republican political party.
After the American Revolution and the ratification of the AOC the Americans seemed to split into two political parties, the Federalist and Democratic-Republicans.The leader of the Republicans Was Jefferson .Jefferson being the leader historians decided to name the movement of Republican beliefs after him, the Jeffersonian Movement.The types of people that were amongst this movement were mostly Farmers. these people believed in a strict interpretation of the constitution and favored a limited central government. They also believed in a agrarian society. Further more this movement helped to further democratize the United States.
During his first term Jefferson had one major achievement, The Louisiana Purchase.This was a Foreign and Domestic affair In 1803 French Emperor, Napoleon, needed money to fight Britain so he decided to sell Louisiana. Though it wasn't in his belief Jefferson purchased Louisiana for agricultural purposes. After the purchase he sent Meriwether Lewis and William Clark on a expedition to the new land.He told them to find out as much as possible about topographical , features, and resources. This was a great achievement for him because it increased the size of the country. It would also help make more land for his fellow farmers.
During 1814 in North Africa, Barbary Pirates started to seize American ships. This was a problem for Jefferson because the United States had no navy.To Stop this the United states decided to pay tribute to protect the ships. Finally the united states stopped paying when they defeated the pirates in 1815.This was foreign because it had to do with Africa. This is also a Domestic affair because they had to pay for the tributes.
French and British conflict in 1805 started to effect the United States.The British controlled the sea, whiled the french controlled the earth.In 1805 The British came out with the Essex In 1805 the British came out with Essex decision which stated that trade was closed and meant that the Americans couldn't trade in the french west indies. Again in 1807 The British blockaded the french ports with the Orders of council so the french couldn't get supplies. In that some year the French announced the Milan Decree which said they would capture any ships that obeyed the french. This feud often had American ships seized, Which angered Jefferson. To Deal with the French and British Jefferson came out with acts. The first one was the Nonintercourse act . This act Halted importation of British goods. The next act was the Embargo act mentioned before. It ended all foreign trade together which hurt the Americans more the the french and British.This is a great example of domestic affairs because it made the American economy decline. Later in 1809 the Americans again came out with the Nonintercourse act which prohibited trade if French and British. The last act was the Macon's bill no. 2. It would trade with both countries if they revoked their Decree's and or Order's. Overall this was a foreign affair because France and Britain were in Europe. This also is a example of what President Washington warned against,in his farewell speech.
Jefferson's presidency was in the end a transitional political revolution. Jefferson's beliefs and achievements further modernized the United states. Though he messed up with the Embargo act he redeemed hes self with the Macons bill. Jefferson was not the first president but he was the first to help our country to get ahead.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
To what extent were the articles of confederation and inadequate form of goverment?
The Articles of Confederation were an inadequate form of government to the extent that the very nature of the AOC was weak.This is due to domestic affair problems,foreign affair problems, and features of the government under the AOC.
After the revolutionary war the new country was immediately faced with economical problems.The main reason for this is because since the Federal government could not tax the states they had no money.One example of this is great Britain's practice of over crowding the American markets with goods which resulted in an unstable balance of trade and had a bad effect on the nations economy.Another thing was that roads and all other transportation routes had been put aside because the federal government had no money to construct them.This made the structure of transportation insufficient for trade.Further more the new country didn't have a uniform currency which made it also hard for trade. Another thing is that the states had the power to taxes their citizens.This was bad because the sates could tax what ever they wanted, which might lead to one being richer then the other.The most recognized rebellion of this time is Shays rebellion.Shay and fellow farmers thought to shut down courts to prevent their farms from being foreclosed.In the end Shay and his fellow farmers were pardoned and the sate law was modified.
Problems for the new form of government were not just about domestic issues. There was also a problem with foreign affairs. The relationship between the Americans and British quickly started to decline. The United States started to fail to obey the treaty of Paris. They did this by not compensating the loyalists and paying foreign debts. An addition to that, the Spaniards decided to take advantage over the United States by quarreling over the undefined northern boundary of Florida, which also resulted in disputes over Mississippi navigation rights. On account of these events the nations foremost political leaders wanted to revise the AOC.
The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document for the original thirteen colonies. It was adopted as the basic law of the country in 1781.This form of government was weak because of the desire of democracy. One fault in the government was that it had no uniform national currency. This was a major reason why trade was inefficient and the united states economy was declining. Another point is that nine out of the thirteen states had to approve a law before it was passed. This can be considered a weakness because bigger states would have a major affect in decisions. And lastly congress had no authority to impose taxes. This is bad because federal government had no way to raise money for infrastructures.
Overall the aritcles of confederation were extremely ineffective and feeble. Because of its weaknesses it resulted in the economy's decline, disputes against other countries, and inadequate features of the AOC. On the other hand because of the United States being a new country, the AOC was a good starting round. It also paved the way to what we call today the Constitution of America.
After the revolutionary war the new country was immediately faced with economical problems.The main reason for this is because since the Federal government could not tax the states they had no money.One example of this is great Britain's practice of over crowding the American markets with goods which resulted in an unstable balance of trade and had a bad effect on the nations economy.Another thing was that roads and all other transportation routes had been put aside because the federal government had no money to construct them.This made the structure of transportation insufficient for trade.Further more the new country didn't have a uniform currency which made it also hard for trade. Another thing is that the states had the power to taxes their citizens.This was bad because the sates could tax what ever they wanted, which might lead to one being richer then the other.The most recognized rebellion of this time is Shays rebellion.Shay and fellow farmers thought to shut down courts to prevent their farms from being foreclosed.In the end Shay and his fellow farmers were pardoned and the sate law was modified.
Problems for the new form of government were not just about domestic issues. There was also a problem with foreign affairs. The relationship between the Americans and British quickly started to decline. The United States started to fail to obey the treaty of Paris. They did this by not compensating the loyalists and paying foreign debts. An addition to that, the Spaniards decided to take advantage over the United States by quarreling over the undefined northern boundary of Florida, which also resulted in disputes over Mississippi navigation rights. On account of these events the nations foremost political leaders wanted to revise the AOC.
The Articles of Confederation was the first governing document for the original thirteen colonies. It was adopted as the basic law of the country in 1781.This form of government was weak because of the desire of democracy. One fault in the government was that it had no uniform national currency. This was a major reason why trade was inefficient and the united states economy was declining. Another point is that nine out of the thirteen states had to approve a law before it was passed. This can be considered a weakness because bigger states would have a major affect in decisions. And lastly congress had no authority to impose taxes. This is bad because federal government had no way to raise money for infrastructures.
Overall the aritcles of confederation were extremely ineffective and feeble. Because of its weaknesses it resulted in the economy's decline, disputes against other countries, and inadequate features of the AOC. On the other hand because of the United States being a new country, the AOC was a good starting round. It also paved the way to what we call today the Constitution of America.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
A Radical Congress
The First and second continental congresses' were shaped by differing of opinion from the three parties. Each faction provided convincing arguments for their positions. However the one that was most persuasive and effective in achieving their goals were the Radicals. This is due to their belief of the need to declare independence, "Taxation without Representation", and their disfavor of the Galloway plan.
The First Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of Twelve of the colonies except Georgia. It was initially also formed to coordinate a common American response to the Intolerable Acts.The First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, with 55 members. The three distinct groups were the Moderates, Radicals, And Conservatives. The Moderates believe that the relationship between the colonies and the mother counties could still be fixed . The Conservatives thought that the colonies could go back to how everything had been in the past.The Radicals believe that action had to be taken , immediate Independence. The Congress had two primary accomplishments. First, the Congress drafted the "Articles of Association" on October 20, 1774. The Articles formed a compact among the colonies to boycott British goods beginning on December 1, 1774. The Galloway plan , which was an idea made by the conservatives was not excepted by congress. Galloway's plan would have kept the British Empire together, while allowing the colonies to have some say over their own affairs, including the inflammatory issue of taxation.. The second accomplishment of the Congress was to provide for a Second Continental Congress to meet on May 10, 1775.
The First Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of Twelve of the colonies except Georgia. It was initially also formed to coordinate a common American response to the Intolerable Acts.The First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, with 55 members. The three distinct groups were the Moderates, Radicals, And Conservatives. The Moderates believe that the relationship between the colonies and the mother counties could still be fixed . The Conservatives thought that the colonies could go back to how everything had been in the past.The Radicals believe that action had to be taken , immediate Independence. The Congress had two primary accomplishments. First, the Congress drafted the "Articles of Association" on October 20, 1774. The Articles formed a compact among the colonies to boycott British goods beginning on December 1, 1774. The Galloway plan , which was an idea made by the conservatives was not excepted by congress. Galloway's plan would have kept the British Empire together, while allowing the colonies to have some say over their own affairs, including the inflammatory issue of taxation.. The second accomplishment of the Congress was to provide for a Second Continental Congress to meet on May 10, 1775.
Though many were opposed to the idea of independence, the radicals thought it was the only way. The Radicals believe that the relationship with the "Mother country" would only get worse. If no solution could be found the the next result would be war. The Intolerable acts had paralyzed the colonies in many way, such as having to accommodate red coats not and not being able to organize freely in Massachusetts . It basically took away most of their freedoms. If they didn't break away soon they would be prisoners in their own homes. The Quebec act ( Which was part of the intolerable acts) gave their land back to the French. The land that they had fought for because of the "Mother country". Not to mention it was being given back to the enemies they had fought against. If the "Mother county" were giving enemies land and and giving the colonies ( their own people) acts and taxes then what would come next.
Another argument that the Radicals made was " Taxation without Representation". It was clear that all the factions agreed on this . Though Parliament argued that the colonist were represented "virtually", all agreed that a "Virtual Representative" knew nothing about the problems and views of the colonies. Another point the radicals said were what was being tax. Things such as paper,tea,sugar, and glass which were everyday thing. If they were taxing the simplest thing what else would they find to tax. The major point that the radicals stressed was that these taxes were making the British rich . After finding out how much tea the mother country own because of the East India tea Co. the colonist realized they were being cheated . Soon more people started to see the radicals point of view and realized that independence might be the only solution. they decided the only way to do this was to come up with a plan that all could agree on as a whole.
As said before the Galloway plan was a plan made by Joesph Galloway (a Conservative).He suggested the creation of an American parliament to act together with the Parliament of Great Britain. Dealing concerns having to do with the colonies each body would have a veto over the other's decisions. The American parliament would consist of a President-General appointed by the Crown, and delegates appointed by the colonial assemblies. The radicals wanting independence disliked Galloway's plan very much. So they came up with a different plan that every one might could agree on. Then the Declaration and Resolves planwas introduced ( also known as the Suffolk resolves ) .Which declared the Intolerable acts null and void. In the end the the Galloway plan was not accepted by the Congress. Which meant radicals won the upper hand and the Declaration of resolves went through.
April 19, 1775 the Battle of Lexington and Concord took place. The Radicals point was finally realized and what they had foreseen had started, the Revolutionary War. The Radicals being persuasive and effective in getting their point across is the reason why we are not under British rule today. In that we can conclude that the revolution was radical and because it was it also paved they way for women's right and slaves to make the society we live in today.
Friday, September 21, 2007
The first contenital congress
In the Eighteenth century the 1st and 2nd Continental Congress was fashioned by the clash between the Moderates,Radicals, and Conservatives. Between the collection, the one with the most convincing claim were the Radicals.The Radicals trusted that the relationship with the British was over,the only thing to do was to gain Independence, and also to unite the colonies and fight.
The First Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of Twelve of the colonies except Georgia. Initially also formed to coordinate a common American response to the Intolerable Acts,The First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, with 55 members. The three distinct groups were the Moderates, Radicals, And Conservatives. The Moderates believe that the relationship between the colonies and the mother counties could still be fixed . The Conservatives thought that the colonies could go back to how everything had been in the past.The Radicals believe that action had to be taken , immediate Independence. The Congress had two primary accomplishments. First, the Congress drafted the "Articles of Association" on October 20, 1774. The Articles formed a compact among the colonies to boycott British goods beginning on December 1, 1774.The second accomplishment of the Congress was to provide for a Second Continental Congress to meet on May 10, 1775.
Though many were opposed to taking the colonies independence, the Radicals wanted change. The Radicals were made up of representatives from Virginia , Massachusetts , and Pennsylvania.Some names of these representatives are John Adams, Patrick Henry,and Charles Thomson.During the arguments in the first Continental Congress's meetings the radicals expressed that the relationship between the colonies and the mother country had already been broken. This meant that either they rise up for what they believed in or live under someone Else's rule forever unhappily.They also concluded that the Parliament had no right and or authority to tax them. Unfortunately the other two groups ( the moderate and the conservatives) did not share the same ideas. Both groups though it to rash and hasty to rebel .
By the end of the congress's deliberation the agreed with the radicals and decided to make the Suffolk Resolves. It was a declaration to
boycott British imports, curtail exports, and refuse to use British products;
ignore the punitive measures taken against Massachusetts since the Boston Tea Party; support a colonial government in Massachusetts free of royal authority until the Intolerable Acts were repealed; urge the colonies to raise militia of their own. There was also a group of radicals known as Committees of Safety who were charged with enforcing the association; they soon became revolutionary spearheads in the towns and counties, creating the first effective union among the colonies and silencing Loyalist opinion.
Eventually the radicals started to sway people to their point of view, but still did not convince the whole.Before adjourning on Oct. 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress summoned a second Congress to assemble in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, if the king failed to respond favorably to its petition. When the Second Continental Congress convened on the appointed date, the battles of Lexington and Concord had recently taken place in Massachusetts, and militiamen were besieging the British occupying force within Boston.The radicals argument did not triumph until the spring of 1776, when Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense created such massive support for the break with Britain that conservative delegates could no longer resist.representatives such as John Adams , George Washington were elected to form the rebellion armies , and the revolution had begun.
The reason that we are not under British control today is because the radicals believed in Independence. Though at first their ideas were rejected by many, they made the colonies realize that rebellion was the only solution. The radicals were most the most persuasive because of their influential in the history of our country.
The First Continental Congress was a body of representatives appointed by the legislatures of Twelve of the colonies except Georgia. Initially also formed to coordinate a common American response to the Intolerable Acts,The First Continental Congress was held in Philadelphia in 1774, with 55 members. The three distinct groups were the Moderates, Radicals, And Conservatives. The Moderates believe that the relationship between the colonies and the mother counties could still be fixed . The Conservatives thought that the colonies could go back to how everything had been in the past.The Radicals believe that action had to be taken , immediate Independence. The Congress had two primary accomplishments. First, the Congress drafted the "Articles of Association" on October 20, 1774. The Articles formed a compact among the colonies to boycott British goods beginning on December 1, 1774.The second accomplishment of the Congress was to provide for a Second Continental Congress to meet on May 10, 1775.
Though many were opposed to taking the colonies independence, the Radicals wanted change. The Radicals were made up of representatives from Virginia , Massachusetts , and Pennsylvania.Some names of these representatives are John Adams, Patrick Henry,and Charles Thomson.During the arguments in the first Continental Congress's meetings the radicals expressed that the relationship between the colonies and the mother country had already been broken. This meant that either they rise up for what they believed in or live under someone Else's rule forever unhappily.They also concluded that the Parliament had no right and or authority to tax them. Unfortunately the other two groups ( the moderate and the conservatives) did not share the same ideas. Both groups though it to rash and hasty to rebel .
By the end of the congress's deliberation the agreed with the radicals and decided to make the Suffolk Resolves. It was a declaration to
boycott British imports, curtail exports, and refuse to use British products;
ignore the punitive measures taken against Massachusetts since the Boston Tea Party; support a colonial government in Massachusetts free of royal authority until the Intolerable Acts were repealed; urge the colonies to raise militia of their own. There was also a group of radicals known as Committees of Safety who were charged with enforcing the association; they soon became revolutionary spearheads in the towns and counties, creating the first effective union among the colonies and silencing Loyalist opinion.
Eventually the radicals started to sway people to their point of view, but still did not convince the whole.Before adjourning on Oct. 26, 1774, the First Continental Congress summoned a second Congress to assemble in Philadelphia on May 10, 1775, if the king failed to respond favorably to its petition. When the Second Continental Congress convened on the appointed date, the battles of Lexington and Concord had recently taken place in Massachusetts, and militiamen were besieging the British occupying force within Boston.The radicals argument did not triumph until the spring of 1776, when Thomas Paine’s pamphlet Common Sense created such massive support for the break with Britain that conservative delegates could no longer resist.representatives such as John Adams , George Washington were elected to form the rebellion armies , and the revolution had begun.
The reason that we are not under British control today is because the radicals believed in Independence. Though at first their ideas were rejected by many, they made the colonies realize that rebellion was the only solution. The radicals were most the most persuasive because of their influential in the history of our country.
Friday, September 14, 2007
What role did religion play in the establishment of english colonies in North America?
Imagine having to move to another country in a crowded boat because of religious prosecution. In colonial times the new world was a place for a new beginning. Religion was one of the key reasons a great deal of people migrated , and made settlements in North America. The three major establishments were the New England colonies of Plymouth,Massachusetts bay, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. The first refugees to arrive in the new world were the Pilgrims.
In 1608 the Pilgrims ( Also known as Separatist ) Negotiated with the Virginia Company for rights to some land and departed from Holland. Sixty-Five days later they arrived off the coast of New England. They surveyed the shores and finally made camp .Since this area was outside of the Virginia company's control they had no rights to the land. But before leaving the Pilgrims created and signed the Mayflower Compact. It was a Pact to form a crude government and to yield to the majority vote, a start in making a solitary government that could prosper. Soon after came winter which wiped out 58 of the 102 people that had first arrived.A year later they had a bountiful harvest had had the first Thanksgiving.The one who was credited for this was the main leader of the separatist's , William Bradford. He was a self taught scholar and the author of '' The Plymouth Plantation" .Though everything was looking good ,Bradford was worried that non-separatist settlers might corrupt his "godly experiment'. Eventually around 1691 it combined with its neighbor to create a stronger , more spiritual settlement.
Not far from Plymouth was Massachusetts Bay were the Puritans made their home. April 1629 ,400 settlers under this new charter departed from England. Soon after the colonists were settled the franchise was " extended to all freed men" . This meant only males who were Puritans. In this society the only people who could vote and or run for office were males who belonged to the church.Intertwined with the government was religion . One example of this were the Blue laws .The Blue laws were any laws regulating activities on Sunday.Such as no kissing in public. One of the most religious politicians in the mass. bay area was John Winthrop.Winthrop is most famous for his "City upon a Hill" sermon (as it is known popularly, its real title being A Model of Christian Charity), in which he declared that the Puritan colonists emigrating to the New World were part of a special pact with God to create a holy community. He Was also the Governor of mass bay .Winthrop strove to establish a Christian community that held uniform doctrinal beliefs. It was for this reason that in 1638 he presided over the heresy trial and banishing of Anne Hutchinson from the colony, Because she challenge the moral and legal codes of the Puritans, as well as the authority of the clergy. In the end she was convicted and banished.In 1637 the tension between the English settlers and the Indians exploded.in 1657 Metacom son of Massasoit's coordinated assaults on English settlements . 52 had been attacked and only twelve destroyed, and Metacom was be-headed. In the early eighteenth century thing started to change.Religion was less fervid and people started to question ideas. This was what started the great awakening. It swept through all of the colonies like wildfire. One of the pastors of the awakening was Jonathan Edwards Who painted the landscape " sinners in the hands of an angry god. His worked sparked a sympathetic reaction.
Last but not least In the mid-1600s the Quakers(which derived from the report that they quaked under religious pressure) came to the colonies.The refused to support the church of England and wanted a place of there own .They were lead by a man named William Penn.William Penn and his fellow Quakers heavily imprinted their religious values on the Pennsylvania government. Among the most radical belief was religious freedom for all religions, as well as fair dealings with Native Americans. This extreme tolerance led to significantly healthier relationships with the local Native tribes. 1737, the Colony exchanged a great deal of its political goodwill with the Native Lenape for more land. The colonial administrators claimed that they had a deed dating to the 1680s in which the Lenape-Delaware had promised to sell a portion of land beginning between the junction of the Delaware River and Lehigh River"as far west as a man could walk in a day and a half."
In 1636 a man named Roger Williams fled to Rhode island. After settling there and building a Church he claimed it to be a Religious safe haven people from all round started to come to live, even the Catholics and Jews.There were no taxes ,no oaths, no attendance even to worship.Some settlements started to dot Rhode island. People started to call it "Rouge Island". Here in rouge island many people including Anne Hutchinson had nothing in common.Finally in 1644 they had rights to the land and started to create a government.
Religion is one of the most essential reasons that so many people migrated . It is also a reason why some still come, beside jobs. Weather your a Puritan,Catholic, or any thing the colonies was the best place to start.At the end of the day we are all foreigners who came to this country to create a better life and to live prosperously
In 1608 the Pilgrims ( Also known as Separatist ) Negotiated with the Virginia Company for rights to some land and departed from Holland. Sixty-Five days later they arrived off the coast of New England. They surveyed the shores and finally made camp .Since this area was outside of the Virginia company's control they had no rights to the land. But before leaving the Pilgrims created and signed the Mayflower Compact. It was a Pact to form a crude government and to yield to the majority vote, a start in making a solitary government that could prosper. Soon after came winter which wiped out 58 of the 102 people that had first arrived.A year later they had a bountiful harvest had had the first Thanksgiving.The one who was credited for this was the main leader of the separatist's , William Bradford. He was a self taught scholar and the author of '' The Plymouth Plantation" .Though everything was looking good ,Bradford was worried that non-separatist settlers might corrupt his "godly experiment'. Eventually around 1691 it combined with its neighbor to create a stronger , more spiritual settlement.
Not far from Plymouth was Massachusetts Bay were the Puritans made their home. April 1629 ,400 settlers under this new charter departed from England. Soon after the colonists were settled the franchise was " extended to all freed men" . This meant only males who were Puritans. In this society the only people who could vote and or run for office were males who belonged to the church.Intertwined with the government was religion . One example of this were the Blue laws .The Blue laws were any laws regulating activities on Sunday.Such as no kissing in public. One of the most religious politicians in the mass. bay area was John Winthrop.Winthrop is most famous for his "City upon a Hill" sermon (as it is known popularly, its real title being A Model of Christian Charity), in which he declared that the Puritan colonists emigrating to the New World were part of a special pact with God to create a holy community. He Was also the Governor of mass bay .Winthrop strove to establish a Christian community that held uniform doctrinal beliefs. It was for this reason that in 1638 he presided over the heresy trial and banishing of Anne Hutchinson from the colony, Because she challenge the moral and legal codes of the Puritans, as well as the authority of the clergy. In the end she was convicted and banished.In 1637 the tension between the English settlers and the Indians exploded.in 1657 Metacom son of Massasoit's coordinated assaults on English settlements . 52 had been attacked and only twelve destroyed, and Metacom was be-headed. In the early eighteenth century thing started to change.Religion was less fervid and people started to question ideas. This was what started the great awakening. It swept through all of the colonies like wildfire. One of the pastors of the awakening was Jonathan Edwards Who painted the landscape " sinners in the hands of an angry god. His worked sparked a sympathetic reaction.
Last but not least In the mid-1600s the Quakers(which derived from the report that they quaked under religious pressure) came to the colonies.The refused to support the church of England and wanted a place of there own .They were lead by a man named William Penn.William Penn and his fellow Quakers heavily imprinted their religious values on the Pennsylvania government. Among the most radical belief was religious freedom for all religions, as well as fair dealings with Native Americans. This extreme tolerance led to significantly healthier relationships with the local Native tribes. 1737, the Colony exchanged a great deal of its political goodwill with the Native Lenape for more land. The colonial administrators claimed that they had a deed dating to the 1680s in which the Lenape-Delaware had promised to sell a portion of land beginning between the junction of the Delaware River and Lehigh River"as far west as a man could walk in a day and a half."
In 1636 a man named Roger Williams fled to Rhode island. After settling there and building a Church he claimed it to be a Religious safe haven people from all round started to come to live, even the Catholics and Jews.There were no taxes ,no oaths, no attendance even to worship.Some settlements started to dot Rhode island. People started to call it "Rouge Island". Here in rouge island many people including Anne Hutchinson had nothing in common.Finally in 1644 they had rights to the land and started to create a government.
Religion is one of the most essential reasons that so many people migrated . It is also a reason why some still come, beside jobs. Weather your a Puritan,Catholic, or any thing the colonies was the best place to start.At the end of the day we are all foreigners who came to this country to create a better life and to live prosperously
Saturday, September 8, 2007
The review of " The Radicalism of the American Revolution"
From monarchy and dependency to Democracy and change, the American Revolution brought on a radical change for the colonist. The book that I read over the summer is called The Radicalism of the American revolution by Gordon S. Wood. It Basically explains ( from Wood's point of view) how drastic the change was for the colonist. The three major themes of the book were Monarchy , Republicanism , and Democracy. Monarchy is the first theme
The definition of a monarchy is a political system in which a country or state is ruled by a monarch (Member of the royal family). During the Eighteenth century the colonist were ruled under the British monarchy . In the book Wood Often states " Living in a monarchy first of all meant being a subject of a king, and being a subject implied they were a society of dependent beings". Another thing people fail to realize is that the colonist were still very traditional. Everyone and everything was intertwined with each other. Whether it was the house hold or the whole community.One could not travel to another city with out being known. Another issue was the major similarities between the mother country and the colonies. Englishmen and women who visited the colonies commented on how some of the towns in the new world resembled their own. Another thing in common between them is the manners, morals, and amusement. This shows that at some point before the revolution the Britons and colonist were alike. They,both also showed much pride for their so called "Independence" which the were known for around the world. the last thing is the Aristocracy. In the mother country the aristocracy made up only 4-5%. Everyone who was a aristocrat had land and money , which only few had so that the percent. In the colonies any man with land was considered a "Gentlemen" . Almost every other man had land so most were allowed to vote. Being a gentlemen also meant people looked up to you . This also shows some type of dependency. If people look up to you they depend on you to show them the way to prosperity. It was also said you were not made a gentlemen , you were born one. Unfortunately for the British this monarchical society in the new world didn't last.
The definition of a Republic is a political order in which the supreme power lies in a body of citizens who are entitled to vote for officers and representatives responsible to them. During this time a Republican view of society started to reveal itself. It did not replace it over night, it simply wore away. The first people who invoked the idea of Republicanism were the intellectuals of the enlightenment. At first tons were opposed to the idea, but as time went on they started to want to be enlightened so they could improved their government. Soon people started to migrate from one place to another. Children started to leave home sooner , and their wants seen to out weigh the long line of tradition. The intertwines of the community and family started to brake. Apr. 19, 1775, shots had been exchanged between colonialist and British soldiers, men were killed, and the war had started.
The definition of Democracy is Government by the people, exercised either directly or through elected representatives. During this time of war,the revolutionaries wanted nothing less then a reconstitution the American society. All Americans believed in the revolution and its goals but most peoples confidence waded back and forth.The one thing that kept them all together was the idea of Equality. That as soon as they won the war every man would be equal. That also meant that gentry would no longer be so powerful, equality applied to all.This alarmed Gentry though, the fact that maybe ordinary people would be working with Gentry side by side. Eventually they won the war and began prosperous, because ordinary people, just like you and me were working harder to succeed.
In the end the American people won .Everyone believed in the public power of opinion. This opinion lasted through the century's and still remains till this day. Through Monarchy to Democracy we are a people of freedom and choice. None of this would be possible if the colonist didn't believe in a equal society , though to me the our society isn't completely equal . As Wood said "The American Revolution created this democracy, and we are living with it's consequences still".
Wednesday, September 5, 2007
Why I Wanted To Be In AP US history
The reason why i wanted to be in AP US History is because my favorite subject is history. I like to read about people and what they did and how it changed the world. I also like to hear about different types of culture and how they live and prospered. But in this class i will only be learning about cultures that were within and that came in contact with the united states. I also wanted to be in this class because i want to be challenged. I think that a challenged would be good for so that i can be more focused , not to mention that it would be a big accomplishment. Plus when i pass the AP test then that would another great accomplishments. I also took this class because i take history seriously no matter what country or topic it is about. History is very crucial because if we don't know our past we can never learn from the mistakes we made to get to the future.
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