History Test 3
Chief Sharitarish on Changes What did he ask of President Monroe? Why didn't Natives cultivate land?
-He asks President Monroe to not force him to assimilate and to love his country, love his people, love the manner in which he lives, and the thought that his self and warriors are brave, just like he says that the president does. And to keep the president's people off of their land -the Natives didn't cultivate the land because the Great Father wanted them to live on uncultivated land with animals
Thomas Jefferson on Race and Slavery Did he favor slavery; was it compatible with the principles of the Declaration? What should happen to freed slaves in America and why? What were observations of the habits and behaviors of slaves compared to white people?
-He did not favor slavery -Jefferson understood that slavery violated the principles of the Declaration of Independence -after slaves are freed they should be removed from the United States because they could never become equal members of the American nation -habits & behaviors of slaves compared to white people: -the color of their skin -they seem to require less sleep -they are more adventuresome -they are more passionate of their female (more of an eager desire than sentiment/sensation)
Benjamin Rush, Thoughts upon... Should women be educated; if so, in what and why? What did he see as "suitable" activities for women?
-Women SHOULD be educated because there were many economic opportunities open to American women that did not exist in Europe, so they needed access to education in order to take advantage of them -they should be educated to be guardians of their husband's property , teaching them to discharge the duties of those offices with the most success and reputation -educate them to be good mothers, educated so that they can instruct their sons in the principles of liberty and government -"suitable" activities= confined to useful branches of literature rather than science & math -should have knowledge of the english language -should write -an acquaintance with geography, applicable to domestic and culinary purposes -vocal music, dancing, moral essay, religious subjects Wanted women to boost America's morals
The Constitution
-because the Articles of Confederation failed -1787 Under Constitution: Powers Delegated to Congress Declare war: Exclusive authority Tax collection: Can collect taxes for three purposes: pay debts, provide defense, provide for the common welfare Borrow money: Can borrow on the credit of the United States Trade authority: Can regulate interstate trade Make money: Exclusive authority to coin/print money (also authorized to prosecute counterfeiters) Weights & Measures: Adopts English system (foot-pound-mile) Postal Service: Establish mail delivery Patents (20 years) & Copyrights (lifetime): Can protect inventions & "intellectual property" Military controls: Sets the rules & funding of all branches of the military Elastic and Necessity & Proper Clauses: Can expand the powers of Congress as it deems fit Division of the Constitution: 1) Articles-major divisions 2) Sections-divisions of an article 3) Clauses-divisions of a section Freedom of Religion, Speech and the Press; Right of Assembly and Petition 1st Amendment Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press, or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. Right to Bear Arms 2nd Amendment A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. Housing of Soldiers 3rd Amendment No Soldier shall, in time of peace be quartered in any house, without the consent of the Owner; nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law. Search and Arrest Warrants 4th Amendment The right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers, and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures, shall not be violated, and no Warrants shall issue, but upon probable cause, supported by Oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched, and the persons or things to be seized. Rights in Criminal Cases 5th Amendment No person shall be held to answer for a capital, or otherwise infamous crime, unless on a presentment or indictment of a Grand Jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the Militia, when in actual service in time of War or public danger; nor shall any person be subject for the same offence to be twice put in jeopardy of life or limb; nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself; nor be deprived of life, liberty, or property, without due process of law; nor shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation. 1st Amendment allows citizens to express and to be exposed to a wide range of opinions and views even if the ideas are unpopular. 2nd Amendment concerns whether the right to use and buy guns belongs to individuals or only to a militia. Courts generally have held that the right applies to individuals, but they have permitted the government to limit some rights of gun manufacturers, owners and sellers. 3rd Amendment protect citizens' rights to the ownership and use of their property without intrusion by the government, except possibly during war. 4th Amendment protects people against unreasonable searches and seizures by government officials. A search can mean everything from a frisking by a police officer to a blood test to a search of an individual's home or car. 5th Amendment is rooted in English common law. It requires that serious federal criminal charges be started by a grand jury who can charge anyone--except members of the military--to provide a fair method for beginning criminal proceedings against those accused. Right to a Fair Trial 6th Amendment In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to a speedy and public trial, by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed; which district shall have been previously ascertained by law, and to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation; to be confronted with the witnesses against him; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor; and to have the assistance of counsel for his defense. Rights in Civil Cases 7th Amendment In suits at common law, where the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise reexamined in any Court of the United States, than according to the rules of common law. Bails, Fines and Punishments 8th Amendment Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual punishments inflicted. Rights Retained by the People 9th Amendment The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or disparage others retained by the people. Powers Retained by the States and the People 10th Amendment The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.
Appeal of the Cherokee Nation What was their culture, lifestyle like and why did they have problems with the United States?
-culture/lifestyle: -established schools, adopting a constitution modeled on that of the US and became successful farmers to try and become citizens problems with the US: -they wanted to "remain on the land of our fathers", which was guaranteed in treaties with the federal government -went to court to protect their rights (over 4,000 Indians perished during the winter of 1838-1839 on the Trail of Tears, as the removal route to present day Oklahoma came to be called)
Washington's personal life
-no college, father died when young (11 years old) -Age 21: joined the Virginia army -French & Indian War -Nickname: Father of the Country -Married Martha Custis, no children of his own (adopted)
Washington's view on slavery
-owned 10 slaves when father died -he had slaves whipped & several times sold ones to the West Indies (never saw families again) -his views of slavery changed with time. In 1786 he favored the idea which "slavery in this country may be abolished by slow, sure and imperceptible degrees" -he emancipated 123 personal slaves upon his death
Petition of Slaves: What changed in the population of slaves between the Revolution and the Constitution? What were the various arguments and assessment made against slavery?
1) The population of slaves grew to 700,000, which was 200,000 more than in 1776 2) The petitioners refer to the Declaration of Independence- Unalienable rights, the laws of nature, etc- and how they were taken from them
Washington's service to his country
1759 -1775: Managed Mount Vernon & served in the Virginia House of Burgesses Like many fellow planters, Washington felt exploited by British merchants & hampered by British regulations Washington was a very reserved man, by nature, but principled too As the cycle of conflict grew, he became a moderate but firm voice of resistance to the restrictions 2nd Continental Congress elected him Commander in Chief of the Continental Army - July 15th 1775 The command would last six years Washington won a war widely believed to be unwinnable, making him one of history's great generals. He lost most battles, but won in the end. He was not a great tactician --- he was a great strategist. He understood that keeping the army intact was the most important thing he could do, and he avoided committing it to any great battle to decide the war. Washington's Presidency -reluctantly accepted role (April 16, 1789) Inaugural Address (April 30, 1789) Only President to be unanimously elected to the office (100% of the electoral college)
Articles of Confederation what did they accomplish? Problems? Pluses and minuses?
1781-1789 America needed a functioning government What kind? •Modeled after colonial governments •States retained sovereignty •Fear of concentrated power a major consideration A Deliberately Limited Government •Articles established "firm league of friendship" among the states •Meaning most actual power was held at the state level The Design of Articles of Confederation Congress given the power to: -Declare War -Make peace -Sign treaties -Print & borrow money -Establish an Army & Navy -Organize a Post Office -Establish Weights & Measures 0 No Chief Executive 0 No National Court System 0 No Power to Draft Soldiers 0 No Power over Interstate Commerce 0 No Power to Enforce Treaties 0 No Power to Tax States 0 Difficult to Pass Laws (2/3 vote) 0 No Single Currency 0 No power to Regulate Value of Currency 0 Difficult to Amend Laws 0 Unanimous Vote Needed to change articles Accomplishments of the Articles •Conducted the affairs of the country during the last two years of the Revolutionary War •Helped negotiate the Treaty of Paris in 1783 Settling Western Lands •The Land Ordinance of 1785 -western land was surveyed using a grid system to establish 6-mile blocks • The Northwest Ordinance 1787 -provided for orderly expansion of the nation; outlined a plan for statehood in western territories - 5,000 free males who own 50 acres can start government - Population of 60,000 could become a state The Northwest Ordinance - Provisions included - no slavery - education - freedom of religion - trial by jury
Declaration of Independence
2nd Continental Congress appointed 5 people to prepare document (Benjamin Franklin, John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert Livingston & Thomas Jefferson) Why write the declaration at all? 1) Justify actions 2) Convince colonists to fight People have a right to end a government and replace it. "When in the course of human events, it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bonds which have connected them with another, and to assume, among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the laws of nature and the nature's God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinion of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to separation." Necessary (needed, essential) Laws of Nature (universal principles not human-made) Entitle (legal or just claim) Impel (force or urge) "We hold these truth to be self-evident: That all men are created equal, and that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness" Self-evident (plainly obvious) Unalienable (unable to be taken away) Rights (moral or legal entitlement) ***The sharp criticism of slavery, with its implied ending, was edited out of the final copy (it was in original and revised draft, but not final...). Took it out because it wouldn't have been approved by Southern States, who were profiting by slavery, so they caved
Significance of the Battle of Yorktown
Colonists and French forced the British to surrender ended the Revolutionary War General Cornwallis surrenders
Anti Federalists
Concerned with the rights of individuals; feared that a strong federal government would abuse its authority & limit individual freedom. They opposed the ratification of the Constitution. Revolutionaries such as Patrick Henry, Samuel Adams, James Monroe, Henry Yates, Thomas Jefferson (though in France) Why Anti-Federalists didn't want the Constitution • Constitution unauthorized, no precedent • "We beat the British" so we can solve problems • Pride in self-reliance • Must keep political power local to control it • Plot by elites to take civil liberties • Only serves the interests of the wealthy • Will recreate "king" • Cannot control national military • Distant leadership • Common man will be ignored • Differing interests between states • Need to spell-out individual rights • Cannot trust powerful government ** DIDNT HAVE A PLAN, ONLY DOUBTS
Noah Webster on Equality: What are the values and importance of equality & property?
Equality= essential for the stability of republican government a general and tolerably equal distribution of landed property is the whole basis of national freedom property is the basis of power, directs us to the means of preserving our freedom no family influence can be acquired..the laborious and saving, who are generally the best citizens, will possess each his share in property and power, the balance of wealth and power will continue in the body of the people A GENERAL AND TOLERABLY EQUAL DISTRIBUTION OF LANDED PROPERTY IS THE WHOLE BASIS OF NATURAL FREEDOM the liberty of the press, trial by jury, the Habeas Corpus writ, even Magna Carta, as all inferior when compared with a general distribution of real property among every class of people
Federalists
Favored the concept of a strong central (federal) government; feared that weak national rule would result in economic ruin & collapse They supported the ratification of the Constitution. Revolutionaries such as Alexander Hamilton, James Madison, John Jay, George Washington Why Federalists wanted the Constitution • Country unstable & in chaos • People fighting government • Economy collapsing • High inflation, no credit • No respect from other countries • Need national military • Need national unity • Need "statesmen" • Best plan we have • Individual rights "understood" • "We are all Americans" so trust your government
Battle of New Orleans
New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi River -important trade route -France possesses it The Battle of New Orleans is depicted with Jackson as the central figure 1815: Must defend New Orleans from advancing British -makes Jackson nationally famous -puts together a strange group of people (free blacks, Indians) , good strategic planning against British force One of the great military victories in U.S. history British: 2,000 casualties (278 killed, including 3 generals) Americans: 13 casualties (8 killed) Yet, the Battle of New Orleans had no effect on the war's outcome. Why? -the war had already ended and a treaty had been signed
Nationalism: focus on the obstacles to it and the methods and means to try and overcome those obstacles.
Obstacles to Nationalism: 1790s • Local Interests (provincialism) • 1790 Census: • 3.9 million • people • 95% rural • Varying interests • States Rights • Weak, new, "distant" Federal Government • Slow communication/transportation • Example: 1790 By horse, it took 4 to 6 days to travel 220 miles between Boston - New York. • Feuds, Violent Political Fights o Shay's Rebellion, (Massachusetts) 1786-87 Americans fighting Americans over taxes, debt, & economy (encouraged end to Articles of Confederation) Note: Daniel Shay fought for the American Revolution Whiskey Rebellion, Pennsylvania, 1791-94 Americans fighting Americans over a whiskey tax (about 10 cents a gallon) (Constitutional government) Note: Washington became the only U.S. president to personally lead troops while in office Roger Griswold (federalist) fighting Matthew Lyons (anti-federalist) on floor of House Representatives, 1798 Aaron Burr, sitting Vice-President, shoots & kills Alexander Hamilton, former Secretary of Treasury in 1804 over political rivalries. • No national History 1790: Congress, 66 members Senate, 26 members No official political parties The constitution doesn't include the word "nation" Ways to Create Nationalism • Symbols, slogans, songs, rituals • Improved Transportation/Communication • Asserting Federal Authority through CourtsMarbury v. Madison (1803) (right to have judicial review) established the Supreme Court as the ultimate arbiter (authority) of federal law. Martin v. Hunter's Lessee (1816) rejected the notion state courts and federal courts had separate and independent domains of power (asserted the primacy of federal courts) • "Americanizing" society (own History [national memory], Language, Culture, Customs) Declaration 1776 Treaty of Paris 1783 Constitution 1787 Memory of the Revolution: Washington crossing Delaware River, 1776 Moore House where surrender papers were signed National Park Service restored the house & has operated it since 1934 Only known document to have signatures of the first four presidents: George Washington John Adams Thomas Jefferson James Madison • Actual Economic & Military Success • Physical Expansion (as goal & reality) into the western frontier Western frontier almost entirely unknown to Americans in 1790. Not a single American had seen much into it. Within 60 years of Washington taking office, the U.S. had quadrupled in size & controlled a vast portion of North America from sea-to-sea. How did that happen? And what did it do to Americans?
Washington's precedents
Precedents for the Presidency •Neutrality in Foreign Affairs •2nd term Presidency •Use of Force to Enforce the Law (Whiskey Rebellion) •Forming a Cabinet to Offer Advice •Title of Executive: The President Created Federal Court System Organized the Supreme Court Federal District and Circuit Courts Established Attorney General position 1st Inaugural Speech 1st Veto of legislation 1st State of the Union Address Retired from Office after two terms—he considered it his patriotic duty to pass on the office to another while he was still alive Saw himself as non-partisan and apart from daily political events The Supreme Court would have a Chief Justice and 5 associate justices. (today 9 total) Washington appoints John Jay as Chief Justice ➢Federal Judiciary Act of 1789 Created an independent federal court system with the Supreme Court and lower level courts Washington's cabinet -Henry Knox (secretary of war) -Thomas Jefferson (Secretary of State) -Edmond Randolph (Attorney General) -Alexander Hamilton (Secretary of the Treasury) Cabinets are not mandated by the Constitution or federal law Today, there are 16 positions in the Cabinet Washington picked his men from different regions of the country Knox was followed by: Timothy Pickering, James McHenry Hamilton was followed by: Oliver Wolcott, Jr. Jefferson was followed by: Edmund Randolph, Timothy Pickering Randolph was followed by: William Bradford, Charles Lee Vice President John Adams didn't attend cabinet meetings. In fact, Adams found his role as vice president to be so tedious that he referred to it as "the most insignificant office that ever the invention of man contrived or his imagination conceived." The French Revolution (1789-1793) French monarchy is overthrown with the execution of King Louis XVI Neutrality - the U.S. would not side with any European country in wartime. Farewell Address best remembered for its warning against "foreign entanglements" The Whiskey Rebellion (1794) PA farmers refused to pay the tax until the American army enforces it. This upholds the power of the new federal government. Battle of Fallen Timbers (1794) the American army defeats a confederation of Indians over tension in the Northwest Territory • Treaty of Greenville (1795) 12 tribes cede much of present-day Ohio and Indiana to the U.S. government Pinckneys Treaty (1795) Spain gives the Americans the right to freely travel on the Mississippi River and use the port of New Orleans Washington never lived in Washington -By 1789 the US had a huge national debt of $52 million -the US must pay back debt to gain the respect of other countries -Alexander Hamilton's financial plan shows his belief in: -strong central government -government encouraging business, industry -pay debt to nations wealthy, gain their support for government 2. Raise government revenues -impose tariffs (tax) on imports -raises money for US government -Encourage growth of US industry -Encourage people to buy American goods 3. Create a national bank -safe for government investments -bank makes loans to businesses -bank issue money -Thomas Jefferson and James Madison argued that the National Bank was unconstitutional -They claimed the Constitution does not allow for a national bank -Alexander Hamilton had a more flexible interpretation of the Constitution -Hamilton claims the elastic clause in the constitution, "necessary and proper", gave Congress the power -Hamilton persuades Washington to approve the National Bank 1791
Declaration...debate
The meaning of a debated period. The period creates the impression self-evident truths ends with the right to "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Without it, what comes next is just as important "-That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed,-" The value of individual rights would be equal to the importance of government as a tool for protecting those rights. Here's another thought: Americans like to think the revolution was fought to win political rights & personal liberties from a tyrannical British government. But, colonists were not that oppressed. Evidence: 1776: Americans eligible to vote: 20% In England: 4& Point #1: Before 1776, American men had more political representation than men in England. More evidence: Before 1776, no professional police force, no prison systems & comparatively few British soldiers stationed in the colonies. Point #2: England didn't have a forceful hold colonists Few schools, no labor unions, no fire departments & no other government agencies to offer protection & services Point #3: To have social order, politicians had to pay some attention to some general public sentiments. Some More evidence: 177os: More newspapers & literate colonists than in England. Prior to 1776, the British did not suppress the free press or the assembly of people, even when they protested. Ex. Thomas Paine was not arrested for Common Sense ('76) but British soldiers were put on trial for the "Bloody Massacre"('70) Point #4: Colonists had freedom of speech under British rule. Conclusion After 170 years, the colonies had matured & were different from England. There were serious issues & divisions between 1763 - 1776 and these did eventually trigger a war for independence. But it might be more accurate to say it was the American Evolution, not revolution.
Characteristics of Jackson
Very strong personality • Personal courage • Classic "rags-to-riches" success story • Policies left a large imprint on nation Epitome of the American ideal First guy to follow what the Constitution actually says First common president
Great Compromise
bicameral legislature: senate & House of Reps senate: each state gets 2 votes & equal representation
Judith Sargent Murray on the Equality What did changes in fashions reveal about women? Were women equal to men; if so, why?
fashions reveal about women: -shows that they are imaginative and intellingent -women were unequal to men: it was assumed that women did not have the same intellectual capacity as men -women could not attend college -they were required to do domestic work
Virginia Plan
favored big states representatives based on population
New Jersey Plan
favored small states 1 vote each did not require strong gov
3/5ths
slave would represent 3/5s of a person, so the southern states had more representation
Expansion Increases
• Great physical expansion -Napoleon Bonaparte, leads France, 1799-1815 -crowns himself emperor of France -wants to control as much of Europe as he could, short time he had large pieces of it, eventually had everyone against him -eventually exiled -poisoned with arsenic -more interested in Europe than America LOUISIANA PURCHASE $12,000,000 paid by US for 800,000 square miles (512 million acres) = 2.3 cents per 1 acre Eventually becomes all or part of 16 states • Large increases in population • Intensive Indian Removal (esp. after 1825) • Geographic expansion of slavery • Rapid use of natural resources How did (do) Americans see "The West?" -distinctive geographic qualities: rockies, mount whitney -vast expanses, didn't see in the east -artists came out and painted the West -some saw the west as an Eden, others say it as natural beauty, some saw it as resources, spiritual renewal -largest trees, tallest trees (Redwoods), oldest trees (4800 years old) -what to do with trees? Build houses or leave along?
Characteristics of Early Republic
• Growth of optimism and a Middle Class • Growth of the Electorate (more white men eligible to vote) • "People on the Move" - lots of Physical Mobility • Rising Materialism & Cash Economy (Having money & owning things increasingly in status) • Rising Economic Anxiety (Capitalism offered possibility of lots of success & lots of failure) Adding to the economic anxiety: No protection if one failed (no government welfare, no regulation of economy, no laws to ensure fairness of opportunity) Terrific competition for economic success • "White Anglo-Saxon Protestant Man's country" (in terms of social, political & economic power)
