Changes

*Understand the question first.  Students are missing points for not completely understanding the question.  Pause a moment after you read a question.  Read it twice.  Ask yourself, what’s the point of the question?

*Understand the question first.  Students are missing points for not completely understanding the question.  Pause a moment after you read a question.  Read it twice.  Ask yourself, what’s the point of the question?

*Skip the tough question and answer the other questions first.   

*Skip the tough questions and answer the other questions first.   

*When stuck, use a source other than the lecture.  On your written homework, you may use extra resources although the answers are in the lecture, event list, textbook or perhaps a dictionary.

*When stuck, use a source other than the lecture.  On your written homework, you may use extra resources although the answers are in the lecture, event list, textbook or perhaps a dictionary.

Tips in learning history:

Tips in learning history:

*Beware over-reliance on authority.  Unless we’re talking about the Bible, authority is not always going to be correct.  Every book contains mistakes, and it's beneficial to read many sources, because some authors will cover what others miss.

*Beware of over-reliance on authority.  Unless we’re talking about the Bible, authority is not always going to be correct.  Every book contains mistakes, and it's beneficial to read many sources, because some authors will cover what others miss.

*Learn history in small pieces.  I can’t grade all the papers in this course at one time, or even in one day.  After about an hour or two, I burn out.  But by grading in 45 minute periods each day, it is very enjoyable.  The material is easier to digest.  Could you eat one and only one meal each day?  No, we eat three meals so it’s easier to digest.  Same with learning history.  45 minutes each day for 5 days will be much easier than over 4 hours in one day.  You’ll retain the material much better if you spread it out.

*Learn history in small pieces.  I can’t grade all the papers in this course at one time, or even in one day.  After about an hour or two, I burn out.  But by grading in 45 minute periods each day, it is very enjoyable.  The material is easier to digest.  Could you eat one and only one meal each day?  No, we eat three meals so it’s easier to digest.  Same with learning history.  45 minutes each day for 5 days will be much easier than over 4 hours in one day.  You’ll retain the material much better if you spread it out.

*On the same note, don't wait until Wednesday night to start your homework.  Set a goal for yourself, such as answering three questions each day until you are done.  Answering a few questions at a time doesn't take long, but trying to finish homework in on sitting when you are tired is difficult and produces poor results.

*On the same note, don't wait until Wednesday night to start your homework.  Set a goal for yourself, such as answering three questions each day until you are done.  Answering a few questions at a time doesn't take long, but trying to finish homework in one sitting when you are tired is difficult and produces poor results.

Quick question:

Quick question:

*The answer is below.<ref>Answer: 1, 1, 1, 1 – this sequence represents the number of terms that each president (including his vice president if he died) served, starting with George Washington.</ref>

*The answer is below.<ref>Answer: 1, 1, 1, 1 – this sequence represents the number of terms that each president (including his vice president if he died) served, starting with George Washington.</ref>

Why are there so many “1” as we approach the Civil War?  Imagine of riding the raging bull at the rodeo.  It's hard to stay on, and 4 or 5 seconds is good.   

Why are there so many “1” as we approach the Civil War?  Imagine riding the raging bull at the rodeo.  It's hard to stay on, and 4 or 5 seconds is good.   

Before the Civil War, the United States was like the bull, and it was nearly impossible for a president to be reelected amid that turmoil.

Before the Civil War, the United States was like the bull, and it was nearly impossible for a president to be reelected amid that turmoil.

After Jackson had served as President for two terms, his vice president, Martin Van Buren was elected in 1836.  Van Buren was the only person of non-British (or non-Irish) descent ever to become president.  Then there was the financial panic of 1837, perhaps due to Jackson’s refusal to allow a national bank.  This hurt Van Buren's popularity.

After Jackson had served as President for two terms, his vice president, Martin Van Buren was elected in 1836.  Van Buren was the only person of non-British (or non-Irish) descent ever to become president.  Then there was the financial panic of 1837, perhaps due to Jackson’s refusal to allow a national bank.  This hurt Van Buren's popularity.

In the election 1840, the anti-Jackson Whig party very was clever.  Van Buren was no military hero, and he had been hurt by the economic problems.  Historians say that the outcome in virtually every presidential election can be predicted by looking at how the economy is doing.  When the economy is struggling, the incumbent loses.  When the economy is thriving, the incumbent wins.  Van Buren was hurt by a poor economy, with many voters out-of-work.  Watch out for all those farmers on election day!

In the election of 1840, the anti-Jackson Whig party very was clever.  Van Buren was no military hero, and he had been hurt by the economic problems.  Historians say that the outcome in virtually every presidential election can be predicted by looking at how the economy is doing.  When the economy is struggling, the incumbent loses.  When the economy is thriving, the incumbent wins.  Van Buren was hurt by a poor economy, with many voters out-of-work.  Watch out for all those farmers on election day!

Whigs won in 1840 with a slick campaign strategy.  They picked a military hero, William Harrison, who had beaten the Indians in Ohio at Tippecanoe, as their nominee.  Pick John Tyler, a Virginian, as their VP.  Then the Whigs used clever slogans.  Van Buren was “Van, van the used up man!”  (think the economy).  The Whig candidates were “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!”  Since military heroes had been successful as Democrats, the Whigs tried running a military hero of their own.

Whigs won in 1840 with a slick campaign strategy.  They picked a military hero, William Harrison, who had beaten the Indians in Ohio at Tippecanoe, as their nominee.  They chose John Tyler, a Virginian, as their Vice Presidential candidate.  Then the Whigs used clever slogans.  Van Buren was “Van, van the used up man!”  (think the economy).  The Whig candidates were “Tippecanoe and Tyler too!”  Since military heroes had been successful as Democrats, the Whigs tried running a military hero of their own.

Harrison, however, insisted on giving participating in his inauguration in frigid weather, without a coat or hat.  He caught pneumonia and died a month later.  The first succession of VP to President then occurred, as Tyler took office.  He ruled like a Democrat, vetoing a national bank.  The Whigs were angry once again.  Tyler was just a one-termer.  In fact, every president from Van Buren until the Civil War was a one-termer.   

Harrison, however, insisted on participating in his inauguration in frigid weather, without a coat or hat.  He caught pneumonia and died a month later.  The first succession of VP to President then occurred, as Tyler took office.  He ruled like a Democrat, vetoing a national bank.  The Whigs were angry once again.  Tyler was just a one-termer.  In fact, every president from Van Buren until the Civil War served only one term.   

==The Alamo==

==The Alamo==

America was still expanding, and eventually this brought conflict in Mexico, which became free from Spain in 1821.  Texas (an area much larger than the modern state) was Mexico's territory.

America was still expanding, and eventually this caused conflict with Mexico, which became free from Spain in 1821.  Texas (an area much larger than the modern state) was Mexico's territory.

Mexico began to "steal" America citizens, by giving them land when they became Mexican citizens and encouraged their friends to do the same.  Thousands of settlers from the United States became Mexican citizens.

Mexico began to "steal" America citizens, by giving them land when they became Mexican citizens and encouraged their friends to do the same.  Thousands of settlers from the United States became Mexican citizens.

But Mexico was quite lax in controlling its territory in Texas, and the settlers revolted in 1836.  They declared that Mexico was independent from Mexico and drafted their own constitution.   

But Mexico was quite lax in controlling its territory in Texas, and the settlers revolted in 1836.  They declared that Texas was independent from Mexico and drafted their own constitution.   

In the famous Battle of the Alamo, a few thousand soldiers from Mexico defeated just 165 Texans at the Alamo.  This battle became famous, as did the cry "Remember the Alamo!".

In the famous Battle of the Alamo, a few thousand soldiers from Mexico defeated just 165 Texans at the Alamo.  This battle became famous, as did the cry "Remember the Alamo!".

Looking at Polk and the issues he worked on will tell you a good deal about America during the 1840s.  The South was gaining more and more influence and power.  Many people were working against slavery, and formed the Liberty party.  This anti-slavery sentiment did not waver and continued to grow toward the Civil War.  Manifest Destiny was important, and Polk's support of westward expansion helped him to win the election.

Looking at Polk and the issues he worked on will tell you a good deal about America during the 1840s.  The South was gaining more and more influence and power.  Many people were working against slavery, and formed the Liberty party.  This anti-slavery sentiment did not waver and continued to grow toward the Civil War.  Manifest Destiny was important, and Polk's support of westward expansion helped him to win the election.

Only nine months after his inauguration, Texas was part of the Union.

Only nine months after his inauguration, Texas became part of the Union.

Polk, a Democrat supported by the South, wanted more southern territory.  In the Slidell Mission, Polk sent an attorney to Mexico to negotiate the border with Texas.  He also hoped to buy New Mexico and California.  But the Mission failed.

Polk, a Democrat supported by the South, wanted more southern territory.  In the Slidell Mission, Polk sent an attorney to Mexico to negotiate the border with Texas.  He also hoped to buy New Mexico and California.  But the Mission failed.

So Polk initiated (debated) a way to ignite a war with Mexico by sending Zachary Taylor down with some soldiers to stand close to the border with Mexico in 1846.  He encouraged settlers to move closer and closer to the border.   

So Polk initiated (debated) a way to ignite a war with Mexico by sending Zachary Taylor down with some soldiers to stand close to the border of Mexico in 1846.  He encouraged settlers to move closer and closer to the border.   

The Mexicans eventually attacked, and Polk worked up the American people into a frenzy by saying that the Mexicans shed American blood on our soil!   

The Mexicans eventually attacked, and Polk worked up the American people into a frenzy by saying that the Mexicans shed American blood on our soil!   

The Whigs opposed the war, hoping the conflict would have ended peacefully.   

The Whigs opposed the war, hoping the conflict would have end peacefully.   

America's troops were strong, and managed to incite a rebellion in California, which was Mexico's territory.  When American troops entered Mexico, they easily defeated the opposition.  But the Mexicans still refused to negotiate, so Polk sent an army to occupy Mexico City.  Again, Mexico would not enter into a treaty for peace, and the wars with Mexico continued for several years.

America's troops were strong, and managed to incite a rebellion in California, which was Mexico's territory.  When American troops entered Mexico, they easily defeated the opposition.  But the Mexicans still refused to negotiate, so Polk sent an army to occupy Mexico City.  Again, Mexico would not enter into a treaty for peace, and the wars with Mexico continued for several years.

In the end, Polk also worked himself to death, dying just a few months after leaving office.  He used to see every visitor to the White House!

In the end, Polk also worked himself to death, dying just a few months after leaving office.  He used to see every visitor that came to the White House!

==Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore==

==Zachary Taylor and Millard Fillmore==

Taylor's vice president, Millard Fillmore succeeded him.  Fillmore was an average American who had succeeded through hard work.  He played a key part in passing the Compromise of 1950.

Taylor's vice president, Millard Fillmore succeeded him.  Fillmore was an average American who had succeeded through hard work.  He played a key part in passing the Compromise of 1950.

The Compromise of 1950 admitted California as a state, and established that the South had the right to bring slaves in to the United State's South West Territories.  The Compromise also abolished the slave trade in DC, although slavery itself was allowed to continue.

The Compromise of 1950 admitted California as a state, and established that the South had the right to bring slaves into the United State's South West Territories.  The Compromise also abolished the slave trade in DC, although slavery itself was allowed to continue.

Fillmore negotiated with Texas and gave the new state 10 million dollars to pay off its debts.  In return, Texas accepted a more restrictive western boundary.

Fillmore negotiated with Texas and gave the new state 10 million dollars to pay off its debts.  In return, Texas accepted a more restrictive western boundary.

Illinois was a key state because it was just across the Mississippi river from Missouri, which was a slave state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820.   

Illinois was a key state because it was just across the Mississippi river from Missouri, which was a slave state under the Missouri Compromise of 1820.   

ElijahLovejoy was a pastor in St. Louis, and in 1837, he started a newspaper called the ''St. Louis Observer'' which published articles against slavery.  The opposition to his paper was so great that he had to move to Alton, Illinois.  There, he kept publishing articles against slavery.

Elijah Lovejoy was a pastor in St. Louis, and in 1837, he started a newspaper called the ''St. Louis Observer'' which published articles against slavery.  The opposition to his paper was so great that he had to move to Alton, Illinois.  There, he kept publishing articles against slavery.

But the opposition didn't cease, and Lovejoy's printing press was thrown into the river three times!  The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society gave him a new printing press, and local slave owners decided to destroy it.  A mob came over from St. Louis and Lovejoy was killed trying to protect his press.  This violence shocked the North.

But the opposition didn't cease, and Lovejoy's printing press was thrown into the river three times!  The Ohio Anti-Slavery Society gave him a new printing press, and local slave owners decided to destroy it.  A mob came over from St. Louis and Lovejoy was killed trying to protect his press.  This violence shocked the North.

As a Jacksonian Democrat, Douglas favored “manifest destiny” and acquiring as much property westward as possible.  The Mexican War was a way to obtain more property, so he favored it in the mid-1840s.

As a Jacksonian Democrat, Douglas favored “manifest destiny” and acquiring as much property westward as possible.  The Mexican War was a way to obtain more property, so he favored it in the mid-1840s.

At the same time, Abraham Lincoln was rising as a Whig in the Illinois.  In contrast to Douglas, Lincoln lost virtually every election he entered.  But he kept trying, again and again.  Unlike Douglas, Lincoln opposed the Mexican War because the Whigs saw it as a way for the South to gain more slave territory.  Lincoln disputed the claim that Mexicans had shed American blood on American soil, and introduced the “Spot Resolutions” in Congress disputing where the bloodshed occurred.

At the same time, Abraham Lincoln was rising as a Whig in Illinois.  In contrast to Douglas, Lincoln lost virtually every election he entered.  But he kept trying, again and again.  Unlike Douglas, Lincoln opposed the Mexican War because the Whigs saw it as a way for the South to gain more slave territory.  Lincoln disputed the claim that Mexicans had shed American blood on American soil, and introduced the “Spot Resolutions” in Congress disputing where the bloodshed occurred.

Economic views:  Lincoln sought economic unity (remember, he represented railroads); Douglas did not care as much, but also wanted to keep the country together.

Economic views:  Lincoln sought economic unity (remember, he represented railroads); Douglas did not care as much, but also wanted to keep the country together.

Lincoln became the “Rail Candidate” for president in 1860 because he opposed slavery in the territories but accepted it (as the Constitution did) in the South.  He “rode the rail” of that principle right to the White House.  As a former attorney for the railroads, the image stuck to him.

Lincoln became the “Rail Candidate” for president in 1860 because he opposed slavery in the territories but accepted it (as the Constitution did) in the South.  He “rode the rail” of that principle right to the White House.  As a former attorney for the railroads, the image stuck to him.

Douglas lost the support of both the North and South due to his “Freeport Doctrine,” which was a position he took in a debate with Lincoln at Freeport, Illinois in their contest for U.S. Senate from Illinois (in which Lincoln won the popular vote, but Douglas was chosen by the Illinois legislature to be the Senator, as was the practice then).  After the Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision that a slave is property who cannot be taken away from the slaveowner, Lincoln asked Douglas, “Can the people of a United States Territory, in any lawful way, against the wish of any citizen of the United States, exclude slavery from its limits prior to the formation of a State Constitution?”  In his answer, Douglas adopted a position in the middle between Lincoln’s view that slavery should not be allowed in territories and the Supreme Court’s view that slavery must be protected everywhere as property.  Douglas said that the people in each territory can decide whether to allow slavery, and if they prohibited it then as a practical matter the slaveowner could not keep a slave there.  This angered the South and also further alienated Douglas from the North.  Douglas could then win only one state, Missouri, in the presidential election of 1860.  Lincoln coasted to victory in the presidential election.

Douglas lost the support of both the North and South due to his “Freeport Doctrine,” which was a position he took in a debate with Lincoln at Freeport, Illinois in their contest for U.S. Senate from Illinois (in which Lincoln won the popular vote, but Douglas was chosen by the Illinois legislature to be the Senator, as was the practice then).  After the Supreme Court ruled in the Dred Scott decision that a slave is property who cannot be taken away from the slave owner, Lincoln asked Douglas, “Can the people of a United States Territory, in any lawful way, against the wish of any citizen of the United States, exclude slavery from its limits prior to the formation of a State Constitution?”  In his answer, Douglas adopted a position in the middle between Lincoln’s view that slavery should not be allowed in territories and the Supreme Court’s view that slavery must be protected everywhere as property.  Douglas said that the people in each territory can decide whether to allow slavery, and if they prohibited it then as a practical matter the slave owner could not keep a slave there.  This angered the South and also further alienated Douglas from the North.  Douglas could then win only one state, Missouri, in the presidential election of 1860.  Lincoln coasted to victory in the presidential election.

Why did the South think it could win the Civil War?

Why did the South think it could win the Civil War?

==Development in the South==

==Development in the South==

The South had a feeling of invincibility from its tremendous economy, which was based on high prices for “King Cotton” and other crops, such as tobacco and sugar cane.  The South also felt that the North lacked a will to fight and, if it did, Britain and France would recognize and help the South due to their dependence on its exports like cotton, tobacco, rice and sugar cane.  The South also had strategic advantages:  controlled the mouth of the Mississippi and need only defend rather than conquer.  The South considered its men in much better condition to fighting.  The South had better generals, and would have done far better had its generals like Stonewall Jackson not died in battle.

The South had a feeling of invincibility from its tremendous economy, which was based on high prices for “King Cotton” and other crops, such as tobacco and sugar cane.  The South also felt that the North lacked a will to fight and, if it did, Britain and France would recognize and help the South due to their dependence on its exports like cotton, tobacco, rice and sugar cane.  The South also had strategic advantages:  controlled the mouth of the Mississippi and need only defend rather than conquer.  The South considered its men in much better condition to fight.  The South had better generals, and would have done far better had its generals like Stonewall Jackson not died in battle.

But the North benefited from railroad system, heavy immigration and a much more balanced economy.  Opposition to immigration in the 1850s had arisen in the North through the American (Know-Nothing) Party, but the greater numbers from the immigration ended up helping the North in the War.  The North also had control of the United States Navy, which proved to be useful.

But the North benefited from the railroad system, heavy immigration and a much more balanced economy.  Opposition to immigration in the 1850s had arisen in the North through the American (Know-Nothing) Party, but the greater numbers from the immigration ended up helping the North in the war.  The North also had control of the United States Navy, which proved to be useful.

== Antebellum State Admissions ==

== Antebellum State Admissions ==