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'''4. Many say the War of 1812 was an unnecessary war. Your view, please?'''  In a sense all wars are “unnecessary” but the War of 1812 seems particularly so, mainly because England had no real reason to attack us.  Because England had no serious grievances, we could probably have dealt with their harassments with diplomacy alone.  It seems that Britain needlessly harassed us, perhaps in revenge for the Revolutionary War, and we jumped on that as an excuse to go to war.  That the war ended well for us is irrelevant because it was well within Britain’s power to wipe us off the map it they decided to.  Thus the War of 1812 was not only unnecessary, but also dangerous.   

'''4. Many say the War of 1812 was an unnecessary war. Your view, please?'''  In a sense all wars are “unnecessary” but the War of 1812 seems particularly so, mainly because England had no real reason to attack us.  Because England had no serious grievances, we could probably have dealt with their harassments with diplomacy alone.  It seems that Britain needlessly harassed us, perhaps in revenge for the Revolutionary War, and we jumped on that as an excuse to go to war.  That the war ended well for us is irrelevant because it was well within Britain’s power to wipe us off the map it they decided to.  Thus the War of 1812 was not only unnecessary, but also dangerous.   

5.''' Debate: Is it wrong for a politician to cut a deal with another politician like the "corrupt bargain" between Adams and Clay?'''  This is one of those things that seems improper but not wrong, as in illegal.  If the people don’t like that kind of thing they should not vote for politicians who do it!  Of course I don’t think politicians should be making deals behind the scenes, I just don’t think there is a legal way to prevent it.  I am not even sure it’s wrong from a moral point of view.  It does, however, tend to subvert the democratic process.

'''5. Debate: Is it wrong for a politician to cut a deal with another politician like the "corrupt bargain" between Adams and Clay?'''  This is one of those things that seems improper but not wrong, as in illegal.  If the people don’t like that kind of thing they should not vote for politicians who do it!  Of course I don’t think politicians should be making deals behind the scenes, I just don’t think there is a legal way to prevent it.  I am not even sure it’s wrong from a moral point of view.  It does, however, tend to subvert the democratic process.

'''8. Describe something that surprises you about the map of the United States in 1840?''' What is surprising about the map is that considerably less than half the current United States was actually formed into states in 1840.  Most of what would eventually become States was territories, and some (such as Texas) did not even belong to the United States.  Just off hand I would have thought that more of the country would be formed by then.

'''8. Describe something that surprises you about the map of the United States in 1840?''' What is surprising about the map is that considerably less than half the current United States was actually formed into states in 1840.  Most of what would eventually become States was territories, and some (such as Texas) did not even belong to the United States.  Just off hand I would have thought that more of the country would be formed by then.

Apparently, the name “Whigs” (or American Whigs) was actually used to refer to the British colonists in America who revolted against Britain.  It was in allusion to the American revolutionaries the Whig Party chose that name.  The name Whig also generally suggested fighting against tyranny, and since the Whigs were formed in opposition to Jackson, they probably intended this to imply that Jackson was tyrannical.     

Apparently, the name “Whigs” (or American Whigs) was actually used to refer to the British colonists in America who revolted against Britain.  It was in allusion to the American revolutionaries the Whig Party chose that name.  The name Whig also generally suggested fighting against tyranny, and since the Whigs were formed in opposition to Jackson, they probably intended this to imply that Jackson was tyrannical.     

4. '''It is said that Andrew Jackson was the first modern president. Why, and would you have voted for him?''' Andrew Jackson was the first president who was not connected with the early America; unlike almost all of the others, he was not involved in the debate over the Constitution, for example.  He used vetoes and executive orders for political purposes, as do modern presidents.  

'''4. It is said that Andrew Jackson was the first modern president. Why, and would you have voted for him?''' Andrew Jackson was the first president who was not connected with the early America; unlike almost all of the others, he was not involved in the debate over the Constitution, for example.  He used vetoes and executive orders for political purposes, as do modern presidents.  

I am not sure if I would vote for him, but I probably would.  Despite his tendency to push his own politics, he still adhered strictly to the Constitution, and unlike so many modern politicians he seems to have been more interested in the nation than in his career.  The only problem I would have with him was his inordinately harsh treatment of the Indians.

I am not sure if I would vote for him, but I probably would.  Despite his tendency to push his own politics, he still adhered strictly to the Constitution, and unlike so many modern politicians he seems to have been more interested in the nation than in his career.  The only problem I would have with him was his inordinately harsh treatment of the Indians.