mm Thursday, December 13, 2007
Do Now: Go to Wikipedia
Look up Missouri Compromise
In what territory was slavery outlawed?
In the early years of the 19th century (1800’s) the United States had acquired from France a large portion of the North American continent. This land purchase tripled the size of the United States and brought great opportunity and riches to the nation.
However it also brought an imbalance in the makeup of free and slave states. As thousands of new immigrants poured into these lands these territories became states and the size and influence of the US Senate began to grow. An important aspect of the senate was that as it grew the balance between slave and free states remained even.
In 1819 the territory of Missouri applied for membership in the union as a state. Slavery was legal in Missouri so if it became a state it would mean that there were now be 11 free states and 12 slave states. This would mean that the pro-slavery factions would have greater political power.
Not wanting top let this happen the free states would not ratify the entry of Missouri into the union.
After months of bitter debate the Congress finally reached a compromise. Called the Missouri Compromise this action admitted Missouri as a slave state while Maine came in as a free state. Once again keeping the balance between the two equal.
The compromise also stated that salvery would not be allowed in all territory to the north and west of Missouri. For the time being the hostility between the North and South was kept in check.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Tuesday, December 11, 2007
New Orleans
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
Do Now: Go to the following website
http://www.nps.gov/fomc/
Answer: Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?
By 1814 the Americans and British had been fighting for two years. But in 1814 the Napoleonic Wars had ended with the British victorious over France. Now the British were able to bring the full brunt of their military against the Americans.
In the late summer of 1814 newly arrived British troops attempted to march into the United States from Canada to their surprise a smaller American force met them defeated them and forced them to return to Canada.
At the same time another British force landed in the Chesapeake Bay, From there they marched to Washington DC, in spite of the American defenses the British were able to capture the city and burn most of it (including the White House) to the ground.
After leaving Washington the British marched on nearby Baltimore. There they surrounded the city with both troops and warships. Following a long bombardment the British were unable to break the Americans resolution and instead left the city and Ft Mchenry uncaptured.
Soon afterwards both sides realized that continuing the war was not the answer, so both sides met in the Belgium city of Ghent. There in on December 24 of 1814 both sides agreed to end the war and return everything to the status quo.
At the same time that both sides were signing the treaty a British army of 5000 just arrived from Europe attempted to capture New Orleans. Facing them was an American army led by Andrew Jackson.
There south of the city the Americans met the British behind a wall of fortifications. Overconfident the British marched on the Americans who in a matter of 20 minutes killed or wounded 2000 British troops.
This battle while it did happen after the end of the war made the unpopular war more popular and made Andrew Jackson the hero of the nation.
Do Now: Go to the following website
http://www.nps.gov/fomc/
Answer: Who wrote the Star Spangled Banner?
By 1814 the Americans and British had been fighting for two years. But in 1814 the Napoleonic Wars had ended with the British victorious over France. Now the British were able to bring the full brunt of their military against the Americans.
In the late summer of 1814 newly arrived British troops attempted to march into the United States from Canada to their surprise a smaller American force met them defeated them and forced them to return to Canada.
At the same time another British force landed in the Chesapeake Bay, From there they marched to Washington DC, in spite of the American defenses the British were able to capture the city and burn most of it (including the White House) to the ground.
After leaving Washington the British marched on nearby Baltimore. There they surrounded the city with both troops and warships. Following a long bombardment the British were unable to break the Americans resolution and instead left the city and Ft Mchenry uncaptured.
Soon afterwards both sides realized that continuing the war was not the answer, so both sides met in the Belgium city of Ghent. There in on December 24 of 1814 both sides agreed to end the war and return everything to the status quo.
At the same time that both sides were signing the treaty a British army of 5000 just arrived from Europe attempted to capture New Orleans. Facing them was an American army led by Andrew Jackson.
There south of the city the Americans met the British behind a wall of fortifications. Overconfident the British marched on the Americans who in a matter of 20 minutes killed or wounded 2000 British troops.
This battle while it did happen after the end of the war made the unpopular war more popular and made Andrew Jackson the hero of the nation.
Friday, December 7, 2007
The Quasi War
Friday, November 6, 2007
Do Now: Go to Wikipedia
Look up Quasi War
Answer: What was the name of the treaty that ended this war? (look under Conclusion of hostilities)
When George Washington left office in 1796 the United States was in trouble.
First of all the French were angry with the United States for not only not backing them in their Revolution but also for the favorable trade conditions that Great Britain received from the Americans due to Jay’s Treaty.
To show their displeasure the French began to seize American ships at sea and in French ports. In an attempt to prevent war with France John Adams the new president sent an envoy to France in an effort to avert war.
When the American envoys arrived in France they were ordered to pay France 250,000 dollars and loan the French 10 million dollars for the opportunity to even speak to the French minister.
Refusing to accept these terms the Americans representatives returned to the USA where the American people hailed them as heros. Unable to even talk to the French the USA and France then entered into an undeclared naval war with the French.
Using this opportunity to move against their anti-Federalist opponents the Federalist enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts which made criticizing of government officials illegal. It also increased the time period required for a non-American to become an citizen. Both of these actions were designed to hurt supporters of the anti-Federalist and
Strengthened the Federalist.
In response to these actions the anti-Federalist responded with the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions which stated that since there was no provision in the constitution which stated who determined the legality of a law that the states would be the entity that determined any laws legality.
What these two states were doing was a defiance of the Federal government.
Do Now: Go to Wikipedia
Look up Quasi War
Answer: What was the name of the treaty that ended this war? (look under Conclusion of hostilities)
When George Washington left office in 1796 the United States was in trouble.
First of all the French were angry with the United States for not only not backing them in their Revolution but also for the favorable trade conditions that Great Britain received from the Americans due to Jay’s Treaty.
To show their displeasure the French began to seize American ships at sea and in French ports. In an attempt to prevent war with France John Adams the new president sent an envoy to France in an effort to avert war.
When the American envoys arrived in France they were ordered to pay France 250,000 dollars and loan the French 10 million dollars for the opportunity to even speak to the French minister.
Refusing to accept these terms the Americans representatives returned to the USA where the American people hailed them as heros. Unable to even talk to the French the USA and France then entered into an undeclared naval war with the French.
Using this opportunity to move against their anti-Federalist opponents the Federalist enacted the Alien and Sedition Acts which made criticizing of government officials illegal. It also increased the time period required for a non-American to become an citizen. Both of these actions were designed to hurt supporters of the anti-Federalist and
Strengthened the Federalist.
In response to these actions the anti-Federalist responded with the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions which stated that since there was no provision in the constitution which stated who determined the legality of a law that the states would be the entity that determined any laws legality.
What these two states were doing was a defiance of the Federal government.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Do now: Answer the following questions.
On which American currency does the portrait of Alexander Hamilton rest?
On which American coin does the portrait of Thomas Jefferson rest?
Due in 10 min
As the Federalist under Washington and Hamilton worked to create a strong national government many Americans began to see the government as being anti-freedom and heavy-handed.
Part of this resentment was due to the taxes that Hamilton had levied upon the citizens of the new nation. Chief amongst the opponents of the taxes were the people who inhabited the frontiers of the new states.
On the frontier cash money was in short supply and many of these farmers used whiskey as a form of currency. To raise money the Federal Government placed a tax on the whiskey that was being produced on the frontier.
Unwilling to pay this tax the frontier farmers began to defy the government by attacking tax collectors and closing the courts that would hear the charges that would be brought against them.
In response to these acts Hamilton and Washington raised an army and moved into the area that was central to the rebellion, Western Pennsylvania. Upon arrival in Pittsburgh with the army George Washington was able to force the rebels to surrender without a fight.
Even though the rebels were defeated their anti-government and anti-tax beliefs soon began to spread throughout the states.
In response to these ideas the first political party came into being. Called Jeffersonian-Republicans these people accepted the ideas of anti-federalism and soon began to organize their party along its beliefs.
By 1796 Washington had beem president for eight years. Unwilling to serve another term Washington decided not to run for another term as president.
In 1796 the anti-Federalist ran Thomas Jefferson as their candidate. While the Federalist ran John Adams as their candidate. The election was close with John Adams winning by only two electoral college votes.
Do now: Answer the following questions.
On which American currency does the portrait of Alexander Hamilton rest?
On which American coin does the portrait of Thomas Jefferson rest?
Due in 10 min
As the Federalist under Washington and Hamilton worked to create a strong national government many Americans began to see the government as being anti-freedom and heavy-handed.
Part of this resentment was due to the taxes that Hamilton had levied upon the citizens of the new nation. Chief amongst the opponents of the taxes were the people who inhabited the frontiers of the new states.
On the frontier cash money was in short supply and many of these farmers used whiskey as a form of currency. To raise money the Federal Government placed a tax on the whiskey that was being produced on the frontier.
Unwilling to pay this tax the frontier farmers began to defy the government by attacking tax collectors and closing the courts that would hear the charges that would be brought against them.
In response to these acts Hamilton and Washington raised an army and moved into the area that was central to the rebellion, Western Pennsylvania. Upon arrival in Pittsburgh with the army George Washington was able to force the rebels to surrender without a fight.
Even though the rebels were defeated their anti-government and anti-tax beliefs soon began to spread throughout the states.
In response to these ideas the first political party came into being. Called Jeffersonian-Republicans these people accepted the ideas of anti-federalism and soon began to organize their party along its beliefs.
By 1796 Washington had beem president for eight years. Unwilling to serve another term Washington decided not to run for another term as president.
In 1796 the anti-Federalist ran Thomas Jefferson as their candidate. While the Federalist ran John Adams as their candidate. The election was close with John Adams winning by only two electoral college votes.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Politics American Style
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
12 days to the end of the semester.
Do Now: Go to the Wikipedia website
Look up Alexander Hamilton
What American political party did he help found?
Due in 10min
After the constitution was ratified many Americans were happy that their new nation now had a government that was based upon a set of written laws.
However there was not universal agreement about how much power the Federal Government had and how much control it held over the people of the United States.
Even though no one in the United States wanted the country to break itself into separate political parties it soon became apparent that there were differences that would do just that.
The first major disagreement of the new nation was over the issue of the National debt. The Revolutionary War had left the USA heavily in debt to other nations.
Alexander Hamilton was a man who believed in a strong national government and he also believed that the new nation needed a strong hand to guide since the “common man” was incapable of running a government.
Hamilton’s beliefs made him a Federalist.
People who opposed Hamilton’s beliefs were called anti-Federalists. They believed in limited government and rule by the people.
The disagreement between these two groups was over what to do with the national debt.
Hamilton and the Federalist wanted the Federal Government to assume all the debts incurred by states.
The Anti-federalist were less concerned in paying off the debt and more concerned about freeing themselves from the control of the Federal Government and foreign banks.
Hamilton knew that for the USA to be treated as a sovereign nation in the world . It must make an effort to pay its debt. Hamilton also wanted to assume the debt because it would grant power to the Federal Government since the foreign banks and governments that were owed money would deal only with the Federal Government as opposed to the state governments.
To accomplish his plan Hamilton needed to gain the support of the southern states. The southern states had little debt as compared to the northern states. To convince them to support his plan and the Federalist point of view, Hamilton promised them that the new
National capital would be built in the south.
Guided Reading WS Due Tomorrow
12 days to the end of the semester.
Do Now: Go to the Wikipedia website
Look up Alexander Hamilton
What American political party did he help found?
Due in 10min
After the constitution was ratified many Americans were happy that their new nation now had a government that was based upon a set of written laws.
However there was not universal agreement about how much power the Federal Government had and how much control it held over the people of the United States.
Even though no one in the United States wanted the country to break itself into separate political parties it soon became apparent that there were differences that would do just that.
The first major disagreement of the new nation was over the issue of the National debt. The Revolutionary War had left the USA heavily in debt to other nations.
Alexander Hamilton was a man who believed in a strong national government and he also believed that the new nation needed a strong hand to guide since the “common man” was incapable of running a government.
Hamilton’s beliefs made him a Federalist.
People who opposed Hamilton’s beliefs were called anti-Federalists. They believed in limited government and rule by the people.
The disagreement between these two groups was over what to do with the national debt.
Hamilton and the Federalist wanted the Federal Government to assume all the debts incurred by states.
The Anti-federalist were less concerned in paying off the debt and more concerned about freeing themselves from the control of the Federal Government and foreign banks.
Hamilton knew that for the USA to be treated as a sovereign nation in the world . It must make an effort to pay its debt. Hamilton also wanted to assume the debt because it would grant power to the Federal Government since the foreign banks and governments that were owed money would deal only with the Federal Government as opposed to the state governments.
To accomplish his plan Hamilton needed to gain the support of the southern states. The southern states had little debt as compared to the northern states. To convince them to support his plan and the Federalist point of view, Hamilton promised them that the new
National capital would be built in the south.
Guided Reading WS Due Tomorrow
Friday, November 30, 2007
Three Fifths Compromise
Friday, November 29, 2007
Do now: Go to the following website:
Wikipedia.org Enter: Three fifths compromise
What group of Americans were addressed in the Three-fifths Compromise
Along with the Great Compromise the issue of slavery also played a role in the Constitutional Convention.
Slavery had existed in all of the thirteen states but by the 1780’s it was dying a slow but steady death throughout the northern states.
While dying in the north slavery was prosperous and growing in the southern states.
During the convention the southern states insisted that the hundreds of thousands of African-American slaves be counted the same as the free peoples of their state.
Delegates from the northern states opposed this since both sides considered the slaves as
Property. And the northern states wanted them to be taxed like property.
The compromise that was finally agreed upon was called the Three-Fifths Compromise. Each of the slaves would only be counted as 3/5’s of a person while at the same time they would be counted as property and taxed.
Even though the slaves would be “represented” they would not be allowed to vote nor would they even be considered as citizens of the new nation.
Do now: Go to the following website:
Wikipedia.org Enter: Three fifths compromise
What group of Americans were addressed in the Three-fifths Compromise
Along with the Great Compromise the issue of slavery also played a role in the Constitutional Convention.
Slavery had existed in all of the thirteen states but by the 1780’s it was dying a slow but steady death throughout the northern states.
While dying in the north slavery was prosperous and growing in the southern states.
During the convention the southern states insisted that the hundreds of thousands of African-American slaves be counted the same as the free peoples of their state.
Delegates from the northern states opposed this since both sides considered the slaves as
Property. And the northern states wanted them to be taxed like property.
The compromise that was finally agreed upon was called the Three-Fifths Compromise. Each of the slaves would only be counted as 3/5’s of a person while at the same time they would be counted as property and taxed.
Even though the slaves would be “represented” they would not be allowed to vote nor would they even be considered as citizens of the new nation.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
A New Government
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Do now: Answer the question on the handout.
Reading asignment pgs 165-169
Reading from pg 165
Upon the swearing in of George Washington as president the United States Government came into existence. The Revolutionary War had been a long and bitter struggle and the struggle to create a government while short had been just as bitter.
As the delgates of the Constitutional Convention met their plan was to only amend the Articles of Confederation not create a new document. However the delegates knew that the articles were unworkable and that a new set of laws were needed.
Virginia Plan
As the convention proceeded the delegates broke into two camps. Those delgates that favored a bi-cameral house. or a legislature that was broken into two sections where the states's population determined the amount of representatives that it would have within this body.
New Jersey Plan
The other side favored a plan where each state had the same amount of delegates regardless of population. It also favored the idea of having a weak central government.
As the delegates argued the merits of their own plan it became obvious that a compromise was needed.
Called the Great Compromise this plan called for a bi-cameral house that consisted of a house of representatives and a senate.
The House of Representatives would be based on the state's population while the Senate would allow each states to have two senators regardless of population.
Assignement draw a representation of the first the Virginia Plan then the New Jersey Plan then finally the Great Compromise Due in 10 min.
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