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History Final

Introduction- The history of the United  states has always been quite complicated. Many believe that America represented a place of opportunity for all people. A place where freedom reigned and prosperity flourished. The idea of an American dream spread throughout the world and people wanted nothing more than to come find their dream within the boarders of the United States. However, we must ask the question, Are these Ideas true or do they merely exist as an ideal within the minds of a select few. As we closer examine the history of the US it appears that regulation of citizenship and slavery played a dramatic role in shaping political elections, legislation, social aspects of society, as well as the economics of the United States eventually leading to the Start of the American Civil War.

 US Constitution- On September 17, 1776 the members of the constitutional convention signed into existence the constitution of the United  States. The constitution lends itself as the embodiment of the laws set forth in order to govern this great nation. The Constitution unified the states by creating a central government that had power over the states in certain aspects but set itself up in a way to leave power in the hands of the states as well.

During the drafting of the constitution, one of the major issues discussed was slavery. Considering congress was set up in a way for the lower house to be granted representation through population, the members of the constitutional convention needed to determine if slaves counted towards the overall population of the states in order to determine that representation remained fair in congress.

http://www.statesymbolsusa.org/symbol-official-item/national-us/state-cultural-heritage/united-states-constitution

 Three fifths compromise- A law set in place that claimed a slave was worth three-fifths of a person during the overall population count.

In order to fix the problem, the members of the constitutional convention determined that slaves did in fact count toward the overall population of the states. However, as harsh as it sounds, slaves were not necessarily considered to be people or citizens. As a result, the members determined that the slaves would only count as a fraction of a person

http://www.afropunk.com/profiles/blogs/know-your-black-history-a-terrible-compromise-when-black?xg_source=activity

 The African Slave trade- Taking hold in the late 18th century and lasting all the way into the 19th century, the African Slave trade was responsible for transporting thousands of slaves across the ocean to live the rest of their lives in chains. Many of the slaves captured were kidnapped from their homes and forced into captivity. Selling slaves became a very lucrative business in the Unites states.

Its important to understand just how big of a deal slaves became in the United States. essentially slaves did all the work on plantations helping pave the way for many large businesses especially cotton. To emphasize the degree in Which slaves were used, we have to recognize the fact that even our founding fathers owned slaves. Yes, that's right. The men who are most known for drafting a document expressing equality and freedom are responsible for enslaving men themselves.

http://www.un.org/en/events/africandescentdecade/slave-trade.shtml

 Isabella- A slave girl born in New  York. She describes the horrors of slavery on a deeper level in the book "Narrative of Sojourner Truth". Isabella was one of eight children. However, she only knew a few of her siblings as the rest were sold at a young age.

We see the horrors of the slave trade and the extent at which slaves were effected through the eyes of an actual slave. Isabella shows the pain her parents experienced as they sit around the fire and talk about the children they have lost because of them being sold.

http://www.azquotes.com/author/14828-Sojourner_Truth

 Peter- The son of Isabella, peter too was born a slave. At a young age he was taken from his mother ad sold. However, through the determination of his mother he was able to gain freedom

As a slave born in New York peter was protected under New York law. Despite the fact that he should be free due to legislation passed that would allow any newly freed slaves to not be sold to a slave state. Peter shows us the difficulty many slaves had to gain freedom along with the emotional turmoil caused by selling children at a young age.

http://www.blackpast.org/1851-sojourner-truth-arnt-i-woman

Gabriel's Rebellion - Gabriel Prosser was a fairly well educated slave who did not agree with being chained up for the color of his skin. As a result, he led a slave rebellion to try and escape to freedom. the attempt ultimately failed and Gabrielle was hung along with 24 other slaves. This led to slaves being held back from any type of education.

This sort of thing was not uncommon at this time period. along with Isabella, Many slaves like Gabriel did not agree with being enchained by captors. Just like the slaves many white men in the time period, primarily in the north, did not believe that slavery was good or anything that should be defended.

http://henrico.us/about-henrico/history/ourhistory/gabriels-rebellion/

 The cotton Gin- A device created by Eli Whitney to help produce cotton. The cotton gin used comb like structures to pull out the seeds from the cotton reducing the amount of time and effort needed by slaves. This meant one slave, with the help of the cotton gin, could now produce over 50 pounds of cotton a day .

The slaves used in the south were put to hard work on plantations pulling the seeds out of cotton. Considering cotton was one of the most expensive commodities that could be sold, many tried to get into this business. However, at this time, slavery had began to be questioned by many people and states alike. The invention of the cotton gin only reinforced the need for slaves in the south because like so many, people just wanted to be rich and cotton was the best way to do it. As a result, we start to see a separation between the states on an economic level. Slaves now deal directly with the wealth one is able to obtain.

ttps://www.eliwhitney.org/7/museum/eli-whitney/cotton-gin

The Missouri Compromise of 1820-  A compromise that was set in place admitting the state of Missouri as a slave state but also admitting Maine as a free state. This was done in order to maintain the balance of slave states, to free  states. Along with the admission of these states, the Missouri Compromise also established a dividing line between the Louisiana territory the separated slave states from free states.

One of the first pieces of legislation passed that actually divided the north and the south on the issue of slavery, separating them by ideals. Now it was not a definite split, there still exist pro-slavery in the north and anti-slavery in the south. However, as far as legislation was concerned, slaves were now free in the north and could be enslaved in the south.

ttps://www.eliwhitney.org/7/museum/eli-whitney/cotton-gin

 The underground railroad- An underground society dedicated to the removal of slaves from the south into the north. Often operating at night they hid in the darkness and moved with the help of anti- slavery activists in the south until they were across the boarder into free  states.

A very social aspect on the issue of slavery. People began to look at African Americans as equals rather than slaves. In this instance people began to actually help slaves in order to free them. Further separating people's ideal's in the North from those in the South.

http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/underground-railroad

Indian removal Act- A law passed by congress in 1830, during Andrew Jackson's presidency. The law essentially allowed the Us to negotiate with tribes in order to get them to move further out west. However, as it turns out the negotiations turned into the forced removal of tribes for the immediate expansion of the US.

We must not forget that in the midst of the war on slavery, we see that an entire culture will be disrupted, torn apart, degraded, and killed for the expansion of the land of the free. Equality at this time really only existed for white men. Women, African Americans, and Native Americans  were not to be considered as equals.

https://sites.google.com/a/student.ccsd.edu/moving-westward-in-jacksons-era/the-reign-of-king-andrew/the-indian-removal-act-the-trail-of-tears

 Manifest Destiny- The belief that the United States goal was to expand west spreading freedom, culture and democracy. Term is often used to promote the annexation of Oregon and Texas. Also used as a reason for people to push out west.

Manifest destiny played a major role in the removal of the Indian Removal Act as well as the west ward expansion in the united states. this caused many wars as well as the inclusion of new states into the union.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manifest_destiny

Compromise of 1850-  A series of 5 laws dealing with the issue of slavery. Henry Clay introduced a series of resolutions. California was admitted as  a free state, settling  a Texas-New Mexico boundary. Thus ending the slave trade in Washington D.C. Creating Utah and New Mexico territories and the establishment of a territorial Government in Utah.

All of these things act as a direct result of the issue of slavery. Effectively the bill ended the dispute of what would happen to the land acquired by the Mexican American War. The south wished for the land to be entered as slave states while the north pushed for the admission of the land as free states.

 Kansas-Nebraska Act of 1855- The bill that divided the Missouri territory into two territories, Kansas and  Nebraska. Each territory was given the ability to choose whether or not to allow slavery essentially voiding the Missouri Compromise. Northern settlers went to Kansas - Nebraska to vote against slavery while southerners went moved to vote in favor of slavery. Ultimately beginning the divide between the north and the south. 

As I mentioned before, the Missouri Compromise made a legal boundary between the North and the south. However, with the introduction of the Kansas Nebraska Act there began a political separation that occurred between the North and the South. Effectively, this created the tension that began the separation that led to the Start of the Civil War.

https://historygcp.wordpress.com/unit-2-compromise-and-conflict/kansas-nebraska-act/

 Free Soilers-  A short lived political party created in 1848 comprised of people from the Whig party, liberty party and the anti-slavery democrats. The free soilers helped for what we know today as the Republican party.

From a political stand point, around this time the parties were primarily separated by the issue of slavery. So much so that the issue itself helped form the political parties that we know today.

http://users.humboldt.edu/ogayle/hist110/unit4/SectionalIssues.html

 Abraham Lincoln- 16th president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln served his presidency from March 1861 to April 1865 when he was assassinated by John Wilkes Booth. regarded as on of the greatest presidents of the United States, Abraham Lincoln is famous for is emancipation Proclamation which paved the way of the abolition of slavery in the union. He is also known for is reunification of the Union after the civil war and one of the most famous speeches ever given, the Gettysburg address. 

Probably the most memorable character from the Civil war, I believe Abraham Lincoln stands as the epitome of all the topics discussed within this essay. A man dedicated to the removal of slavery in US politics along with the unwavering dedication to the reunification of the great union. He saw Slavery as an issue that separated the US in both a political aspect as well as a social aspect. As a result, he did all he could to make the United states the best it could be. He believed so much in his ideas that he gave his life for them.

http://www.quotery.com/quotes/a-lawyers-time-and-advice-are-his-stock-in-trade/

 Conclusion- Throughout this paper we have seen that the United states did not always hold up to those ideals set forward by our founding fathers. Equality and prosperity did not always reign. War, slavery, revolts and political issues were apart of our history. However, despite the fact that we have not always lived up to our ideals, it is important to remember that they are just ideals, Ideals that we have tried to live up to. However, perfection is impossible to obtain but it should not stop us from reaching for such an unattainable goal. In sight of all this, we have seen where we have gone wrong in the past and we must learn from our mistakes. We have seen that regulation on citizenship and slavery tore apart a nation and only through the work of great men was the United States able to survive.

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Chapter ID’s 4/11/16

Robert E Lee-  The commanding general of the Confederate army. Along with stonewall Jackson, Lee bcame one of the most famous generals during the civil war. 

http://www.biography.com/people/robert-e-lee-9377163T

Thomas Stonewall Jackson- Starting hisMIlitary career during the Mexican American War, stonewall Jackson became  one of the most respected generals in the confederate army. 

http://americancivilwar.com/south/stonewall_jackson.html

Fort Sumter-  A battle that started the Civil war. A union fort thar was surrendered to general Beauregard an April 11 1861.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Fort_Sumter

George McClellan- General in command of one of the largest Union Armies. McClellan was discharged after he lost the battle to robert E lee because he was too timid and refused to send the full force of his army. 

http://www.civilwar.org/education/history/biographies/george-mcclellan.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

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Chapter 11 ID’s 3/14/16

Missouri Compromise- Federal statute designed by Henry Clay that prohibited slavery above/ north of the 36 30 Parallel.

http://teachers.henrico.k12.va.us/tucker/strusky_m/webquests/VUS6_madisonmonroe/MissouriCompromise.html

American systems- Programs designed by Henry Clay to grow national economics and independence. 

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2918272-henry-clay-and-the-american-system

Joseph smith- founder of the Mormon church. A the leader of the church, he claimed that he had been sent a vision from God. Upon receiving this vision, Joseph smith wrote the Book of Mormon.

http://www.pbs.org/americanprophet/joseph-smith.html

Indian Removal act- THe forced removal of Native American tribes. The act forced tribes to move west of the Mississippi causing what is now known as the trail of tears. 

https://sites.google.com/a/student.ccsd.edu/moving-westward-in-jacksons-era/the-reign-of-king-andrew/the-indian-removal-act-the-trail-of-tears

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Chapter 10 ID’s

Millerites- followers of William Miller. Miller was a Baptist who believed that god was going to destroy the world in 1843.

http://utc.iath.virginia.edu/christn/chmillhp.html

Blood sports- sporting events focused onbloodiness. These evens included, dogfighting, cockfights, and other altercations between animals. These events were often favored by the working class.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blood_sport

Second Great awakening- a series of religious revivals beginning in the 1790′s. The most prevalent religions included Angelicans, Methodists, Baptists, an Congregationalists. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Second_Great_Awakening

Restoration ism- during the 19th century, many believed the church was outdated and was in need of restoration. As a result a series of church reformations began to change churches from many different religions.

http://www.spiritwatch.org/firerestore.htm

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Chapter 9 ID’s

Cotton Gin- A machine used to remove the seeds from the cotton using a comb like structure. The machine increased the production rate of cotton allowing one slave to produce over 50 pounds of cotton a day. 

https://www.eliwhitney.org/7/museum/eli-whitney/cotton-gin

Eli Whitney- Inventor of the cotton gin. His invention maintained the use of slaves and even expand the practice in a time where abolition was being highly considered inmost states. 

http://www.biography.com/people/eli-whitney-9530201

International slave trade- a practice developed primarily in the south as slaves were needed for westward expansion and the production of cotton.

http://www.un.org/apps/news/photostories_detail.asp?PsID=86

Gabriel’s rebellion- a slave led rebellion planned by Gabriel Prosser. Prosser was hung along with 24 other slaves. as a result, steps were taken to prevent the education of slaves.

https://www.boundless.com/u-s-history/textbooks/boundless-u-s-history-textbook/the-federalist-era-1789-1801-10/transfer-of-power-92/gabriel-s-rebellion-509-8191/

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Chapter 6 ID’s 2/16/16

Articles of Confederation- Acting as the first constitution of the United states, the articles of confederation was put into effect in Nov 1777 and remained in effect until the drafting of the US Constitution. The articles did not do a good job of enforcing the strength of the federal government which led to many problems throughout the states. 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Articles_of_Confederation

popular sovereignty- as the picture states, popular sovereignty is most aptly characterized by the words “power to the people”. The power of an individual to choose, vote and regulate themselves in their own state under their own guidance. This idea is very apparent in state and local governments, and still stands as a characteristic of the United States

http://citizenshipshanebrittany.weebly.com/popular-sovereignty.html

Separation of powers- this idea was a key pillar in the drafting of the US Constitution. The founding fathers believed that the powers of government needed to be separated into 3 different branches, legislative, executive and judicial. Each branch had checks and balances set in place to make sure no one branch became too powerful

http://www.doe.in.gov/sites/default/files/bicentennial/supreme-court-activity-resources.pdf

Shays rebellion- a series of uprising and protests starting in Massachusetts. Daniel Shay led over 4000 rebels against hardships in the economy. the attempt ultimately  failed, but only after they attempted to seize the national armory.

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Discussion 3/3/16

Today in class we watched a video on midwifes in the 18th century. We learned about the importance of the midwifes in their communities. Midwifes serve as healers, and helpers during childbirth. Although the film only focused on one midwife, the film suggests that all midwifes had close to the same impact.

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Discussion 4/7/16

Today is class we talked about the rise up of movement's that occurred in the alate 1840's. These movements were caused by the overwhelming feelings of supreasion put on minority group such as immigrants, women and native americans. Due to these movements many Americans began to fear immigration and therefore try to restrict it

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Discussion 3/31/16

The Panic of 1837 was a financial crisis that arose in both the domestic and foreign markets. Upin the increase of interest rates in Britain and and the US, Bond rates began to fall. Along with cotton production effecting the US economy greatly, banks sunk many land owners ultimately leading the US into one of the first recessions. 

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Discussion 3/24/16

The Missouri Compromise. Introduced by Henry Clay established a dividing line that prohibited slaver above the 36 30 parallel. established in 1820 the Missouri Compromise was not widely accepted as it established a large sectional difference between states and ideals. 

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Discussion 3/22/16

Today in class we talked about the establishment of the first 2 national banks. The first bank was established to create support from Europe, thsi increased land sales  and improved the economy. The second bank of the US was established to create a national currency. Eventually these banks led to the Panic of 1819 when peoples land and possessions began losing value. 

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Discussion 3/17/16

Today in class we talked about the invention of the cotton Gin. Created by Eli Whitney, the cotton gin made it possible for one slave to produce over 50 pounds of cotton a day. The cotton gin allowed southern state to maintain and continue the use of slaves in a tie where many were considering the abolition of slavery. 

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Discussion 3/15/16

What does it mean to be a citizen? today in class we talked about women’s rights. More accurately we talked about the lack of right that women had until the late 1800′s.  We discusses how citizenship was primarily about participation and contribution. However, women were often not able to participate in public/political events. Instead, their voice was the voice of their husbands or fathers. 

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Discussion 3/1/16

today in class we discussed the Ideological differences between Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton. Jefferson ran as the republican candidate with support for more power to the state governments and the backing of small farmers. Supported by highly educated men such as lawyers and doctors, Hamilton believed in a strong central government. 

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Discussion 2/16/16

Today in class we learned about the revolutionary war and the battle of Lexington. As the British and the minute men stood face to face in a stand off someone fired their weapon. After the “shot heard around the world” the revolutionary war began and the fight for independence took place over many battles.

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Discussion 2/9/16

Today in class we learned about the Stono rebellion. The Stono rebellion was a slave rebellion which took place on a Sunday when all the white men were at church. Believing they could escape, the white men soon surrounded and killed the majority of the slaves. As a warning to other slaves they decapitated most of them and placed their heads along side the roads. 

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Discussion 2/4/16

We watched videos on John Wesley. John Wesley was an anglian minister who did not agree with the way religion was being taught in church. As a result, he decided to create his own religion. Because of this, he is most know for the creatin of the Methodist church in the late 1700′s