American History Homework Four Answers - Student Nine

1. What was the "Revolution of 1800"?

The Revolution of 1800 was the first peaceful change in government when the Federalist party (the group currently having their President in office) was defeated by the Democratic-Republican party (the group not currently having their President in office).  

2. If you were the president, would you have approved the Louisiana Purchase? Explain. Yes. I probably would have- with careful consideration. The President would have to know what problems could occur- more land means more Indians, more greed, more people, more states. And at that time, there had to be an equal number of slave states and free states which caused for more problems and compromises (like the Missouri Compromise). But there are as many pros as there are cons to more land. There was going to be inevitable growth in population so more land was necessary. The land was very cheap and the government could sell at a good price to people which would in turn work the land to produce crops, which boosts economy within America and internationally.

3. Identify a cause of the War of 1812. I think that the English invading and burning down the White House was definitely a major cause (though not the only one) of the War of 1812.

4. Describe what you like most about the Monroe Administration. The best part about the Monroe Administration to me, was his ‘Monroe Doctrine’ because not only was it necessary, it shows how he took the initiative to take on the Europeans without causing conflict. The fact that it is still cited today is proof of its effectiveness.

5. Explain what is meant by "Jacksonian Democracy." Jacksonian Democracy is a term that shows democracy at its best when Andrew Jackson won the election of 1828 by a landslide.

6. Explain what the Marshall Court is known for. The Marshall Court is known for the expansion of federal power. It gave more power to the government and away from the people.

7. Identify the figures in the cartoon, provide an approximate date, and describe the likely viewpoint of the cartoonist: The picture refers to the War of 1812 between America and Great Britain and the Russian effort to mediate. It shows John Bull (England), Bruin (Russia), and Columbia (America). This was probably drawn during the War of 1812 (oddly enough- around 1812). The cartoonist was probably for the ending of war and the advancement of peace.

H1. Jefferson seems to receive better treatment by historians than he deserves. Why? Jefferson receives better treatment because not only do they make the First Barbary war seem like a success (though it was a failure) that happened during his presidency, but he nearly doubled the size of America.

H4. How did the North and South feel about tariffs, and why? The North loved tariffs because it reduced competition from foreign countries and the South hated them because they wanted the competition so that they could lower the production costs of cotton.

H5. How did slavery begin to affect other constitutional rights, such as freedom of speech? Do you see an issue today causing a similar infringement of the right to free speech? Slavery led to activists against it to speak out and exercise their freedom of speech. This freedom is ordained by the Constitution but that does not mean that everyone will like and react kindly to what others have to say. Elijah Lovejoy was an antislavery publisher who spoke out freely against slavery and was murdered by a proslavery mob. He died for his freedom of speech and became the first white martyr for abolitionist movement. Today, we all have “freedom of speech” but that does not mean that it comes without a cost (which makes absolutely no sense). As humans and Americans, we have the rite to say what we feel, but that’s not accepted by our culture if what we have to say isn’t ‘tolerant’ of others beliefs. Christians are persecuted for being outright against gay marriage, abortion, and many other ‘touchy’ subjects. It’s our rite to say what we believe, but that won’t stop people from calling us judgmental, hypocritical, and uptight. It also won’t keep people from taking it to an even physical level. Although we have said ‘freedom of speech’ by our constitutional rites, it really isn’t free.