...History is not made up of just a few heroes and villains. B. Mexicans did not participate in westward expansion. C. Average citizens were responsible for westward expansion. D. Thomas Jefferson was responsible for westward expansion. Part B: Select two quotations from the text --one for each answer-- to support the answers to Part A. “It is natural and perhaps necessary for historians and story-tellers to view the dramatic shifts of history through the actions of a few famous figures, whether heroes or villains. Certainly the story of the westward expansion of the United States has many examples of each, and sometimes it seems the villains outnumber the heroes.” “A true story of the...
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...Westward expansion and the settlers' experience on the frontier played a crucial role in shaping the nation’s character, along with bringing up traits like individualism, democracy, and a distinctive American identity. The frontier was overall, at the time in the 1800’s, mainly a rough, very demanding environment where only the Native Americans knew how to navigate the land. Since the west was just acquired land, it basically had no laws and this resulted in disputes to be settled with violence. These challenges, in-turn, forced pioneers and settlers to be self-reliant, and to only rely on themselves and their own skills in this harsh environment. Frederick Jackson Turner essay, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History”, 1893, perfectly demonstrates how the frontier helped shape the...
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...In 1893 Frederick Jackson Turner published his own essay entitled, “The Significance of the Frontier in American History”. The first presentation of this paper was at a convocation of the American Historical Association during the 1893 World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago, Illinois. With in this paper Turner brings up topics he felt would help the American Frontier however, there are two main topics that stand out: individualism will promote democracy, shaping of american character using inventions and adaptations. In Frederick Jacksons thesis he states that an advocacy of a democracy was being introduced in Westward America as well as Europe due to individualism. The Europeans were in lands that Americans were trying to settle in therefore...
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...French & Indian War Essay Commencing in 1756 and concluding in 1763, the French & Indian War brought about a series of unfavorable financial, social, and exploratory complications to colonial North America. As taxation intensified and British-colonial tensions brewed due to a prolonged military presence and a general clashing of cultures, expansion west of the proclamation line of 1763 became a problematic activity for settlers, as British management over the land westward of the boundary produced a monopoly on the administration and purchase of terrain, ultimately generating yet another source of discontentment for American colonists. Pooled together, these frustrations would later fashion the groundwork for what would become the American Revolutionary War. The French & Indian War rattled the economic framework of Britain so severely that it became forced to alleviate the weight of its debt through taxation upon the colonies. The Crown began to implement harsher policies as well as enforce preexisting ones, so as to quench the costs of war and British military occupation within North America. Products such as potash, wine, and silk became commodities difficult to acquire, as the fee to import them skyrocketed to undesirable heights. The Revenue Act of 1764, dubbed by the colonists as “The Sugar Act”, was a British-led effort to crack down on trade regulations, seeing as how most colonial merchants neglected the procedures and prices on the transacting of products...
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...Essay The Frontier Myth ------------------------------------------------- “Up to our own day American history has been in a large degree the history of the colonization of the Great West. The existence of an area of free land, its continuous recession, and the advance of American settlement westward explain American development. (…)American social development has been continually beginning over again on the frontier. This perennial rebirth, this fluidity of American life, this expansion westward with its new opportunities, its continuous touch with the simplicity of primitive society, furnish the forces dominating American character.” Source: http://www.learner.org/workshops/primarysources/corporations/docs/turner.html Frederick Jackson Turner The Frontier is a prominent symbol of American culture. Although it intimidated the colonists and later Americans, it did not prevent them from spreading. What drove them was “the idea of unlimited free land, a sense of unlimited opportunity and optimism”1. The idea of the frontier was significant in American culture between 1860 and 1893 because it was considered by many to be “the last frontier.” “Since the beginning of the European settlements, westward expansion had always served as an inspiration to those dreaming to start a new life.”1 With the last of the frontier being absorbed into civilization, its importance to the American people rose more than ever. Frederick Jackson Turner said that this closing of the frontier “marks...
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...Essay As a newly elected leader, it is wise to emulate other successful leaders. A leader I greatly admire is President Thomas Jefferson. Not only did he compose some of history’s greatest political writings, but he had unusual compassion and sympathy toward the common man. He was brilliant in a variety of disciplines, but always sought for more knowledge. Even though President Jefferson lived centuries before the new colony’s founding, history repeats itself. In 1803, President Jefferson was confronted with a situation similar to the one I am facing. The president purchased the Louisiana Territory, which at the time was comparable to a new, uncharted planet. Because the nation’s immediate needs were met, he decided to invest in exploring...
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...Protestants in the 1730s and 1740s. colonies. The Great Awakening may also be interpreted as the last major expression of the religious ideals on which the New England colonies were founded. It was significant because it showed a series of emotional religious revivals that was spread. It was new and different for people because that was not what they knew. Which in part was hard for them to adapt to quickly. 3. To whom was Alexander Hamilton a “the right hand man” Who sings “ The Farmer Refuted?” He was the right hand man to George Washington. The Farmers Refuted was a more comprehensive and impartial View of Disputes between Great Britain and the Colonies 4. Why did Hamilton, Madison and Jay author the Federalist Papers ? They wrote the essays in urge of ratifying the US constitution. arguing that the proposed system would preserve the Union and empower the federal government to act firmly and coherently in the national interest. 5. What are Jefferson and Hamilton’s “cabinet battles” about ? The Cabinet Battle was basically a rap battle Jefferson verse and then Hamilton verse. Each man receiving time to argue and state his case to the president. In the process, they use anachronistic microphones. 6. What were the main issues faced by the Washington and Adams administrations? During the Washington and Adams Administration issues such as Washington-severe domestic and foreign debt ,The Northwest Indian War ,The Whiskey Rebellion ,The French Revolution ,Keeping peace with...
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...Chicago about his theory of the American West. This Statement made a bold case that the closing of the westward expansion was the end to a glorious and influential chapter in the history of the nation. Throughout the decades there is one thing for certain, the Frontier thesis has just as much impact today as when produced. It may be studied today for its purposefulness as well as its theories, but his work ultimately inspires one to open their mind for critique, discussion, and praise. He believed that westering American individuality helped assure our democracy. Turner has many influences during his career like his father, teachers, students, and other historians. He continued to be an avid student as well, always reading and educating himself. The center of his thesis was to state that the American character, including such traits as equality and acquisitiveness, and the “American character” derived from the frontier experience. His historical value was in understanding America’s inner workings. Looking at all aspects of the American life, their past, where their future was heading, their economic, political, and social belongings. It was this forward thinking that elevated Turner’s status in his profession and our teachings today. If you studied who Turner was you would come to find out that he lived as a frontiersman and experienced that America’s uniqueness of expansion first hand. History was around Turner as a child, his father was an historian and journalist. Andrew...
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...The end of the tyrannical rule of the British through the Revolutionary war brought a sense of pride, patriotism and unity to the new United States. The British had long dictated the path of the Americas in order to bring about prosperity for Great Britain with little regard for the Americas. The Revolutionary war ended that or so the United States thought. As the new nation forged its own path to recognition as a sovereign nation based freedom and liberty, there were continuous internal conflicts over the balance of governmental powers, military preparedness, westward expansion, economic prosperity, slavery and diplomacy with other nations. The War of 1812, also known as the second war of independence, or rather the end of the war, reignited passion in the hearts and souls of all Americans with a little help from a General Andrew Jackson and forced Great Britain to respect all the rights the United States deserved as a nation. The Napoleonic War was waging in Europe between Great Britain and France. The United States had full intentions of remaining neutral throughout the conflict. The attempts of the United States to carry on normal trade relations with both Great Britain and France were nearly impossible. Great Britain and France continuously interfered in the commercial trade routes in Europe and the world with blockades and seizures. The use of impressments and requirements for trade were Great Britain’s way of ignoring the rights the United States has as a nation and the...
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...Paulina Richardson HIS-144 2/13/16 Katie Kraeling The evolution of democracy from the time of President Jefferson to President Jackson The democracies of President Jackson and President Jefferson seem very similar, yet share their significant differences. President Jefferson was the third president from the years of 1801 to 1809, and President Jackson was the seventh president from the years of 1829 to 1837. Both are in favor of common man and both feel that it is common people who should have the biggest impact on government. President Jefferson was in favor of the Democratic Republican party, while Jackson favored the Democratic Party. In this essay, I will explain the evolution of democracy from the time of President Jefferson to President Jackson. During President Jefferson’s term, he advocated rights of national organizations, as well as purchased Louisiana territory from France. By doing so, Jefferson expanded the size of the United States. President Jefferson reduced National debts, as well as reduced the spending of his administration and the armed forces. When President Jackson entered office, things were noticeably different. Things such as his whole aura consisting of economic policy. He was the first president to pay off the Nation’s debt, which is a great accomplishment for him during his term. After the American Revolution was over Jefferson was still determined to preserve the liberties of the people. His goal was to create circumstances...
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...As the United States entered the period of Jackson’s presidency, the country was progressing at a rapid rate. In order to do so, westward expansion was viewed as not only a necessity, but a right the country undoubtedly possessed. The United States inherited the European “‘right of discovery’” and used this notion to carry out a brutal ethnic cleansing, stripping the American Indians of their culture, land, and people in drastic number (66). Jackson’s way of thinking resonated with the people of his country at the time, many of whom desired land. The historian Theda Perdue provides a modern reflection of the cruelty toward such a fundamental group of the country in her essay entitled “Indian Removal.” On the other hand, Andrew Jackson himself...
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...Although some Native Americans voluntarily signed the treaties presented for the removal. As mentioned in the article “Abuse of Power: Andrew Jackson and The Indian Removal Act of 1830” written by Alfred A. Cave, he states, “Jackson’s supporters in Congress reminded skeptics of the president’s assurances that Indians belonging to tribes that had signed removal treaties, but who did not themselves wish to accompany their kinsmen on the trek westward, would receive individual land grants after tribal claims had been extinguished and would then be welcome to remain behind as citizens of the states, where they would, in Jackson’s words, be ‘protected in their persons and property’”(1334). The U.S. government gave no say to the Natives regarding their move. Once the Removal Act was underway, they had no choice but to follow it. Plentiful suffering followed on this trail and sadly the U.S. viewed the removal of the Natives as a “humanitarian and civilized” course of action placed to help shield the Natives from the White settler’s westward expansions. The move had an atrocious impact on the Natives tribes’ health and their population. The Indians did not get any assistance from the federal government through their long journey. They were deprived of food at times and additional necessities like shelter and clothing. As mentioned in the article “Cherokee Population Losses During the Trail of Tears: A New Perspective and A New Element” written by Russell Thornton, he states “It was said...
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...When did the war begin and end? It seems as if the only thing historians can agree upon are the dates of which the war started and ended, but there will always be that one historian that likes to flip history on its back, unfortunately for that person we will be going with what the majority agrees apron. The next and most controversial question would be what was the cause of the Mexican American war? This question on the other hand varies depending on who you talk to but I will be giving both sides a chance in this essay. Why did Tejas (Texas) decide to rebel against the Mexican government? Why did Texas decide to break away from its parent country? What were some of the concerns about annexing Texas? Some say that there was a plot by President James K. Polk. Born November 2, 1795, died June 15, 1849. Polk was the 11th President of the United States from 1845-1849. The plot by President Polk was apparently to steal land, I will be addressing this question along with plots to extend slavery. These question will be answered, sharing both sides of the argument and being completely unbiased to either side. Before getting into the Mexican American war it would be best to have some general background...
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...APUSH Study Guide 8 A weak Confederacy and the Constitution, 1776-1790 Themes/Constructs: The federal Constitution represented a moderately conservative reaction against the democratilizing effects of the Revolution and the Articles of Confederation. The American Revolution was not a radical transformation like the French or Russian revolutions, but it produced political innovations and some social change in the direction of greater equality and democracy. The American Revolution did not overturn the social order, but it did produce substantial changes in social customs, political institutions, and ideas about society and government. Among the changes were the separation of church and state in some places, the abolition of slavery in the North, written political constitutions, and a shift in political power from the eastern seaboard toward the frontier. The first weak government, the Articles of Confederation, was unable to exercise real authority, although it did successfully deal with the western lands issue. The Confederation’s weakness in handling foreign policy, commerce and the Shays Rebellion spurred the movement to alter the Articles. Instead of revising the Articles, the well-off delegates to the Constitutional Convention created a charter for a whole new government. In a series of compromises, the convention produced a plan that provided for a vigorous central government, a strong executive, the protection for property, while still upholding republican...
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...INTRODUCTION 1. John Ashley’s Essay Paper on Benjamin Franklin The goal of this essay paper is to discuss key ways that Ben Franklin presents his story as an illustration of self-improvement. After reading of this man’s life, I firmly believe that he is one of America’s greatest heroes. If not for the self-sacrifices made from Ben, from his early age and throughout his life, then the face of America would be of a different nature. This is the understanding that I received from his writings about the moral fortitudes of a man unwilling to just settle with whatever was happening around him. My Essay Self-improvement is an often presented theme in the works of Benjamin Franklin’s life and writings. Through his charming demeanor, Benjamin Franklin won over the socialites of France. Benjamin gained their admiration, by wearing his rustic fur cap, which the French considered to be the quintessential symbol of rugged Americanism.(Meltzer Page 3). He was quoted saying, "Figure me in your mind as jolly as formerly and as strong and hearty only a few years older; very plainly dressed, wearing my thin gray straight hair that peeps out under my only coiffure, a fine fur cap which comes down to my forehead almost to my spectacles. The self-improvement that is so often spoken of by Ben Franklin is, I believe, that...
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